Hello Everyone! Hans here with the Sturtevants weekly fishing report.
This summer Sturtevants is hosting great fly fishing camps and outings. Practice your cast at our free weekly casting clinics with our fly fishing guides. If you have ever wondered what a Baetis or a Hecuba is or just like talking bugs while drinking good beer then come join our free weekly ‘Bugs and Brews’ entomology class. We are also offering summer kids fly fishing camp and ‘learn to fish’ beginner fly fishing classes. Call or stop by the shop for details.
The Big Wood
Starting downstream between Stanton Crossing and Magic Reservoir the river is low and easily wadeable. This section of river typically sees the first of the Green Drake hatch and the fish will be actively looking for bugs on the surface and, as always, eating nymphs. Above the Bellevue water diversions river flows still make for spicy wading and limited opportunities to cross. Despite this fish are coming out from their high water hiding places and moving into the slower riffles and runs. Large high floating attractor patterns have turned fish on the surface. A Stimulator, Purple PMX, or Norm’s Wood Special suspending a #16 Lightning Bug or Rainbow Warrior dropper makes for a good prospecting rig. Below the surface Green Drake nymphs are composing much of the biomass in the river and fish are keying into these hefty meals. The Q’s Crown Jewel Green Drake nymph is tied with a green glass bead body and has been a deadly pattern this season. Rubberleg Stone and pink San Juan Worms are still fishing as well. There have been whispers of Drakes already showing themselves above Ketchum and on lower Warm Springs, but as of now still far from widespread. When this hatch does happen in earnest we will be in for truly epic fishing.
Warm Springs
Green Drakes should show up on the lower river in real numbers soon. In the lower river there is still a fair amount of ash in eddies and once deep holes but moving water is clear. As you head upstream water begins to clear and drop into prime wading conditions. Light line dry fly fishing with a 3 weight makes for an excellent day on the water.
Silver Creek
The Creek is taking on its summertime charm once again. After a historically low water early season, things are back to normal on the Silver Creek. Select places have yet to see the regrowth of weed beds but most of the Creek is inviting and fishing well.
Mid to late morning and starting again late afternoon expect to see PMD’s, Baetis, Callibaetis, and occasionally a lonely green drake. When fish are rising a #16 PMD dun with an emerging nymph dropped a few inches below has been fooling these increasingly selective fish. PMD, Baetis, and Callibaetis nymphs fished in a tandem rig have been producing consistently for fish holed up in the deeper runs and channels. With the recent dredging of the Kilpatrick Pond fins are a good idea when floating below the bridge.
The Big Lost
The far upper stretches of the Big Lost System are in perfect shape. Water levels are coming down to a quite wadeable level in most places and fish are moving out from hiding. Fishing action in the Copper Basin often coincides with good weather, so pick a warm sunny day. A yellow Stimulator with a Pheasant Tail dropper will be a good prospecting setup. Pack a picnic and bring your camera! Nymphing on the main stretch below the Guard Station with large Rubberleg Stones and bright attractors can be successful if you find fishing from the bank. However, flows are still too high to wade so this may be difficult.
Other Waters
Snake River Carp
Keep checking the weather for hot, sunny, and light wind days in Twin Falls. The hotter the day, the hotter the fishing. Fish are actively mudding and feeding in the flats and in the reeds. Look for fish around but not in cold water springs, they seem to be avoiding the cold and clear water. Contrast the greenish tinted water and mud bottom with a tan, brown or orange Carp Craw or Belly Crawl.
Little Wood
Above the reservoir wading is easy and the fishing is consistent. Drift a Stonefly and small attractor nymph combo into the deep obvious holes and buckets as well as under overhanging trees. Small streamers like the Evenson’s Tunghead Minnow have taken some hefty reservoir fish that have worked their way upstream.
Alpine Lakes
Inlet streams flowing into the bigger Sawtooth lakes like Redfish, Stanley, and Alturas have been giving up nice fish. Look for these fish holding right off the drop offs. Sink tip lines and flashy steamers can produce some unexpected surprises. All but the highest lakes are iced out and fishing hot!