From: 01/02/2015
To: 01/02/2015
Type of Water: Freshwater
Species: Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Whitefish
"When we fish, we are awake. We are attuned to the environment, to the world, to the reverence and wonder of life." -Dan Baughman
'Tis the season for making resolutions. This year make a resolution to fish more. For it is in the pursuit, the act of angling, that we find humility.
SILVER CREEK
Remember, this time of year The Nature Conservancy portion of Silver Creek to the Highway 21 bridge is closed. If you would like to experience the tranquility of the Creek in winter, head to the BLM stretch as it remains open until the end of February. Fish the slow, deep water with streamers and nymphs either with a dead drift or on a slow swing. Some days you may even find a fish or two rising to midge adults and emergers. These fish are as selective and spooky as they are in summer, so you View more..."When we fish, we are awake. We are attuned to the environment, to the world, to the reverence and wonder of life." -Dan Baughman
'Tis the season for making resolutions. This year make a resolution to fish more. For it is in the pursuit, the act of angling, that we find humility.
SILVER CREEK
Remember, this time of year The Nature Conservancy portion of Silver Creek to the Highway 21 bridge is closed. If you would like to experience the tranquility of the Creek in winter, head to the BLM stretch as it remains open until the end of February. Fish the slow, deep water with streamers and nymphs either with a dead drift or on a slow swing. Some days you may even find a fish or two rising to midge adults and emergers. These fish are as selective and spooky as they are in summer, so you will need to employ the typical down and across approach with a long and fine leader and small midge patterns. Your winter fly selection is simple; try a size 24-16 Pheasant Tails nymph, olive and red Zebra Midge, or black and olive leech patterns.
THE BIG WOOD
Snow has come to the valley floor, but most parking access along the Wood is still doable as long as you have a 4X4 with clearance and some snow tires. When picking a spot to fish, focus you attention on the Wood downstream of the Warm Springs confluence as the river north of town can be covered with ice. Also seek out water that is slow and deep, as trout in winter prefer to conserve energy. The best advice for winter angling is to simplify your approach from your flies to your equipment and technique. Try a Tenkara rod, which will force you to fish close with a fixed line, very effective while winter angling. Tenkara rods also help you avoid the typical winter fly fishing problems such as freezing guides and cold fingers. With no traditional fly line to manage, you have no guides to freeze and you can easily wear gloves. While you may find some surface midge activity, nymphing is most productive. Tenkara rods are perfect tools for dry dropper fishing or Euro Nymphing. For flies, try Rubber Leg Stones, King Prince Nymphs, Zebra Midge, Bishop's Dynamite, Egan's Frenchy, the Red Dart, or the Iron Lotus.
THE BIG LOST BELOW MACKAY RESERVOIR
If you want to make a day of it, take the drive from Ketchum through Arco and up to Mackay to fish the Lost. This drive takes about 2 hours and goes through the incredible landscape of the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, a beautiful sight in winter. The water is low and clear and there are decent midge hatches all winter long. For flies, bring a good assortment of Zebra Midge, Brassies, and other attractor nymphs like Rainbow Warriors or Bishop's Dynamite in size 16 to 22. Fish with stealth and fine tippet dry dropper or Euro style and you are sure to have a grand day.
