Big Lost River

It's been on the cold side for September. Snow on the mountains and even on the valley floors for a day or so. The leaves are just starting to turn but it's felt like late October. Elk are bugling and sand hill cranes are on their annual migration south making their pre-historic garble as they circle at great heights and barley stubble and cheat grass and even rabbitbrush have taken on their yellow hues while smoke bellows out of a two-room house chimney along a ditch somewhere in Mackay, Idaho.

Lost River Range. Mid-September. Idaho.

Big Lost River

While early to mid-March on the Lower Big Lost River can be quite cold with a wicked north wind, there are often bonus days and yesterday was one of those exquisite, warm and calm late winter days in Mackay. Incidentally, this is not one of those you-should-have-been-there-yesterday rants... The next 3 days are forecast to be in the 50's which is a recipe for a magical day. It's midge madness and with the slightest of cloud cover the baetis have been good to strong.

A young angler and a bent rod. Lower Big Lost River.

Low, clear water make the Lost River a de facto spring creek in the winter months. That also means strong midge and baetis during the heat of the day.

Fall & The Big Lost River

Seated and at the end of a day, Pablo hooked a nice rainbow.

Enjoying the moment... 

Brent Bernard checking his wingspan. Big Lost River, Idaho. 

Getting it done from above. 

Mahogany Dun. Idaho. 

Moose Family. 

Idaho Cutthroat Trout

Pictured is a Colorado Fine Spotted Cutthroat Trout caught in the Big Lost River watershed.  The Big Wood River is still chocolate milk (off color with no visibility) and we are in the midst of another thunderstorm cycle which will likely produce more silt and mudslides as a result of the burned area from the Beaver Cr Fire.

Cutthroat Trout. Idaho. 

Camera: Nikon D3s

Lens: Nikon 14-24mm ƒ 2.8

Fly Fishing Photography

Here are a few images from a recent trip over to the Big Lost River.  The Tricos are still happening but probably starting to slow...  If you are wondering how the fire is here, the skies are clear of smoke and it's beautiful. We have been in the evening thunderstorm cycle which has given us small but much needed hits of rain.

John Huber & A Bent Rod. Big Lost River, Idaho. 

Big Lost River, Idaho. 

Female Trico Dun. Big Lost River, Idaho. 

Ok..., the image below looks like 4 fishermen all fishing together.  What's wrong with the picture is that all 4 fisherman were NOT fishing together. I witnessed the two fisherman farthest upstream in the image enjoying a great morning to themselves. A crew of 3 descended upon the river and commenced fishing right next to and in the same run as the 2 other fishermen who had been there for an hour or so. I had to take a picture of this. Most fly fisherman have a great sense of etiquette but it is almost always a small few who just don't care about anything but themselves even if they are two hours late getting to the only spot on the river they know... Mutual respect for one another does go a long way.

Bad Etiquette 101