Here's an image taken of Silver Creek this morning, March 1st. Our snowpack is in the +/- 175% of normal which will most likely translate into large streamflows in the months ahead. Once the weather decides to warm up, Silver Creek could see near record flows.
Silver Creek Mouse Fishing
It's been a big mouse year on Silver Creek and it takes a little more than small talk to head out to Silver Creek and fish from sunset until it's so late you give in and fold. Below are a few images from a recent trip down to the creek for a late-into-the-night mouse session.
Sunset. Silver creek.
Moon Rise. Silver Creek
Anglers Journal Summer 2015
Below is a two page image appearing in the current 2015 summer issue of Anglers Journal. It's of John Huber casting during the mega moon on the Double R section of Silver Creek. Idaho.
August Rainbow
Rainbow Trout. August. Idaho.
Winter On Silver Creek
We have had a lot of rain over the last week, it's sunny now, and that has caused the flows on both the Big Wood River and Silver Creek to go up. When it comes to fishing Silver Creek in February, the last winter month to fish the Creek, that's a good thing. We want the water high and off color for streamer fishing...
Silver Creek. February
Release
John Huber holds a winter Silver Creek Brown Trout
Phoebe Bean & a Silver Creek Rainbow
John Huber
Brook Trout
Brookie. Late Summer. Idaho.
Silver Creek & Full Moon
John Huber throws a cast as the mega-moon rises over Picabo and the Queen's Crown. Silver Creek, Idaho.
Big Wood River Below Magic Reservoir
At around 900 cfs, the Big Wood River below Magic Reservoir is quite swift to wade but from a drift boat it's just right... On this particular day, the PMD's (Pale Morning Duns) were prolific. The water color and surreal greens and basalt is really quite striking this time of year.
Silver Creek Brown
Cooler weather and plenty of wind and a lack of crowds can create opportunity... Below is a Brown Trout caught on Silver Creek today.
Summer Sky & A Silver Creek Brown.
Silver Creek Brown Drakes IV
Here are a few more images from the last few evenings on Silver Creek...
Nick Anderson finds a target during a decent post 9 pm emergence.
John Huber and an after dark Brown.
Silver Creek Brown Drakes II
Below is what happens when you get a couple of guides together and there really are no bugs but there are a few beers in the cooler and a pretty great night otherwise. It was about 39˚ when we left the water around 11 pm and the bugs essentially didn't happen where we were. This could be a long drawn out Drake year...
Another version of utilizing a fly rod when there is no hatch... Silver Creek.
Sun Valley Spring Fishing
Below are a few images from the Big Lost River in Idaho. We had sun and snow and wind and baetis.
Lost River Rainbow
Lost River Rainbow.
The Restoration of Silver Creek On The Double R Ranch
For those of you who have not seen this video yet, here is a great piece on the Purdy's portion of the Silver Creek restoration project. This is from the Picabo Angler You Tube Channel. Nick Purdy, in addition to operating the Picabo Livestock Company, K-K and Double R Ranch, also owns Picabo Angler in Picabo, Idaho. I am a guide for Picabo Angler.
Big Wood River
It's Midge Madness on the Big Wood River, Idaho at the moment. While the water is a bit chalky in color from recent rain, it is improving in clarity daily and the dry fly fishing is very good. In lieu of fishing today I sat in a run with my camera and tried getting as close to rising fish as I could get without spooking them. Below are two of the images I took.
Feeding Rainbow. Big Wood River, Idaho. March.
A midging Rainbow sharks near the surface of the Big Wood River. March.
Big Wood River. Winter.
Rod & Line. Big Wood River, Idaho. Winter.
A Memory
Nikon D3s & Nikon 50mm ƒ1.2 ais lens
Baetis
Our temps have dropped and the snowmaking has started on Baldy (Sun Valley, Idaho) and there are still a few baetis and midges around and if you are lucky you may even find a fish or two feeding on top. Below is an image of a baetis trying to get off the water just after drying its wings. For a sense of scale, you could easily put 4 or 5 of these mayflies on your pinkie.
Trout Unlimited 2014 Calendar
The image below is featured in the new 2014 Trout Unlimited Calendar. Here's the link to the TU web site to order your calendar: Trout Unlimited
Fall & The Big Lost River
Big Lost River Callibaetis
Seeing Callibaetis on the Lower Big Lost River can happen. There is enough still water on the periphery and weedy slow banks in spots where they can be seen doing their frenetic up and down dance.
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.
Camera: Nikon D3s
Lens: Nikon 14-24mm ƒ 2.8