The annual Brown Drake hatch on Silver Creek wrapped up recently, and the only consistent thing about the hatch was its inconsistency! Unsettled weather caused unpredictable emergences and spinner falls, but there were certainly some fantastic nights during the hatch, and some impressive fish caught on the Brown Drake. Thanks to all who stopped by Picabo Angler and Silver Creek during the Brown Drake hatch; we hope you had as much fun as we did!

Silver Creek is still the name of the game locally. On the Silver Creek Preserve and lower water (Highway 20, Willows, and Point of Rocks), look for BWOs, PMDs, and Callibaetis hatching each day. We’ve had a very windy late spring, so terrestrials such as beetles and ants have really been producing on the entirety of the Creek.

The Big Wood River is dropping, but flows in Hailey are still high at 700 CFS. Expect good river conditions and good fishing to happen soon…perhaps in the next week to ten days. We are hopeful for a strong Green Drake hatch on the Wood, so have plenty of Drake patterns, Parachute Adams, and Purple Haze in sizes 10 – 14. Fishing a Chubby Chernobyl trailed by a Green Drake or Stonefly is also a productive technique.

The same conditions on the Big Wood apply to the upper Lost River System (Copper Basin). Expect good fishing soon, and have a good supply of Chubby Chernobyls, Green Drakes, PMDs, and Caddis, along with dropper nymphs like Duracells, Pat’s Rubber Legs, and Copper Johns.

The Big Lost River below Mackay Reservoir is also high at 500 CFS; the river at this flow is very high and swift, and wading is difficult. Once flows recede in late summer, the river will be in prime shape. Stay tuned.

The flows on the Salmon River below Stanley have dropped to around 1600 CFS; perfect for floating. Next weeks warmer temperatures will help warm up the water a bit and kick the summer fishing into high gear. You’ll need big bugs on the Salmon – Chubby Chernobyls, Salmonflies, and Stimulators, along with a variety of dropper nymphs.

The South Fork Boise River below Anderson Ranch Reservoir is a great option now. Flows remain at about 1600 CFS, and at this level the river is best fished via drift boat, raft, etc. Anglers are eagerly awaiting the appearance of the Salmon Fly. These big bugs should begin showing up towards the end of this month, and you’ll want an arsenal of big, gaudy patterns to imitate the naturals. Size 6 – 10 Chubby Chernobyls in black, purple, orange, gold, and tan are great choices, as are Sofa Pillows, big Orange Stimulators, Rogue Stones, Dancing Rickys, and Water Walkers (the same colors and sizes apply). For nymphs, it’s hard to beat a black, brown, or olive Pat’s Rubber Legs, Montana Stone, or Girdle Bug in sizes 6 – 12.

Happy Fishing Everyone!