Excited to have a two-page image in the new, winter issue, of The Drake Magazine. It's of Ketchum area guide, Zac Mayhew, and his Brittany, Duncan, during a winter storm on the Big Wood River near Sun Valley, Idaho.
Big Wood River Winter Fishing
We just finished up with a storm that dropped nearly 20" of new snow. The snow is great for many things including just playing in it... I was able to get out on the Big Wood River for a few hours yesterday while it was coming down pretty hard.
Guide Zac Mayhew getting in a little winter-time casting on the Big Wood River, Idaho.
Big Wood River Winter
Upper Big Wood River. Early Winter.
Upper Big Wood River. Early Winter. Idaho.
Silver Creek, Idaho
Below is an image that I took near the end of February on Silver Creek this year. Note the lack of snow. While Picabo got some much needed rain today, Silver Creek is near an all time low for this time of year. The current flow has gone up to 85 cfs with the average for this time of year around 124 cfs. Diversions from the Big Wood River following Gannett Road are now full and the loss from those diversions will eventually make a positive difference with the flow on Silver Creek.
John Huber. Late February. Silver Creek, Idaho.
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 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.