Summer is in full swing here in the Wood River Valley, and with recent rising temperatures anglers need to shift their efforts and tactics on local waters.

The best fishing on Silver Creek will shift to early mornings and late evenings. During the morning, expect continued BWO activity along with increasing numbers of Tricos, throughout the Nature Conservancy Silver Creek Preserve, the Willows, and Point of Rocks. In the evening, look for a mixed bag of PMDs, BWOs, and Callibaetis, as well as small, dark caddis. Windy afternoons can result in excellent terrestrial fishing – ants and beetles, and very soon, grasshoppers. Damsels and Callibaetis are also prevalent during the afternoon, especially on the S-Turns and Kilpatrick Pond.

The Big Wood River at Hailey is at 385 CFS, making for easy wading and great dry fly action. Green drakes are still going fairly strong north of Hailey, so large Parachute Adams, Purple Haze, and Green Drake duns and emergers are fooling plenty of fish. Attractor dries and nymphs are always effective on the Wood, and anglers should expect to see Tricos in the early morning and Caddis in the late evening. Hopper fishing should pick up within the next week or two, so have plenty of tan, yellow, and peach hoppers when fishing the Big Wood.

The Salmon River is still fishing well, with floating and wading anglers having success with Salmonflies, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes, PMDs, and even a few hoppers. Dry-dropper techniques work well when the fish aren’t feeding on the surface. Now is a great time to float the Salmon and enjoy spectacular fishing and scenery.

The Upper Lost River system is in prime shape and expect to see the same bugs as you would on the Big Wood and Salmon rivers. The mainstem Upper Lost, East Fork, and North Fork are all worth the trip during the peak of summer. It’s been a bit busy in Copper Basin, so please be respectful of fellow anglers.

The Lower Lost River is flowing at 440 CFS, making it fishable for very strong waders. Anglers could see PMDs, small Stoneflies, and Craneflies on the river, so dry fly opportunities are prevalent. Nymph fishing on the Lower Lost will be productive going forward, and streamer fishing can produce some exceptional fish.

The South Fork Boise River is stable at approximately1600 CFS, ideal for float fishing. Large, bushy dry flies trailed by stonefly or attractor nymphs will be your best bet during the mornings and middle of the day. During the evenings, fishing on the South Fork can be exceptional, with hatches of Caddis and Pink Alberts. Fishing the river until dark is worth it!

Regardless of where you fish, anglers should be aware of warmer water temperatures as the summer progresses. Use the heaviest leader and tippet you can get away with, play fish quickly, and minimize taking fish out of the water.

Please call or stop by the shop for up-to-the-minute updates on flies, conditions, and for all your fly-fishing needs.

Happy fishing everyone!