We have been in the midst of a lot of weather since the beginning of September and immediately after our fires. The Big Wood River jumped from about 187 cfs to 522 cfs and still has essentially zero visibility downstream of Warm Springs Cr. Even Trail Cr., which was not effected by fire, was blown out today. Here are a few images taken over the last few days.
Silver Creek Reflection & Rise Form
Fall is here with snow and rain and it's a bit cold and low clouds cling to the soft hills like over protective ghosts and dessicated chokecherries lay on the saturated ground and the air radiates with sage and earth.
Camera: Nikon D3s
Lens: Nikon afs ƒ2.8 80-200
The FlyFish Journal Issue 5.1
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.
Fall Rainbow
Early Fall.
Beaver Creek Fire Remnants
Below are a few images taken today of a small portion of the burned area from the Beaver Creek Fire near Sun Valley, Idaho. This fire burned over 112,000 acres this August.
Camera: Nikon D3s
Lens: Nikon 14-24mm ƒ2.8
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
Idaho Landscape
Below is an image of an aspen grove out Greenhorn Gulch which was in part of the Beaver Creek Fire burn area.
Wildlife has undoubtedly been displaced since the Beaver Creek Fire. Pictured below are two calves and a cow moose that lived across the street from me for about a week after the recent fire.
Below is an image of fields and a road near Picabo, Idaho. The crop in the foreground was barley (it is just stubble in the image) and is a major crop along with alfalfa in the lower Wood River Valley.
Silver Creek Preserve Cabin
I took the image below on the 31st of August as The Kelley Fire near Featherville, Idaho was starting to really get going. At the same time we were recovering from The Beaver Creek Fire and the smoke in the Wood River Valley was finally gone. Fortunately, The Beaver Creek Fire is 100% contained and The Kelley Fire is at 40% containment and has burned approx 16,000 acres (this info is from InciWeb). We have had significant thunderstorms here with more slated for today.
The Big Wood River is completely blown out and is black in color with zero visibility up to Baker Creek and is mud colored all the way up to Galena Lodge.
A Challis, Idaho Face
Fluff Wood, pictured is a Challis Idaho BBQ phenom. He is as friendly as his smile and his BBQ is exquisite in the great way a casual, no-frills, simply prepared BBQ can be. Think Traeger smokers on a trailer with everything and more you would want... OK, and ribs!
The other morning I drove in the west entrance to the Nature Conservancy and encountered a herd of elk that was pretty strong in numbers. They kicked up a bit of dust and were back-lit and agitated. Sandhill Cranes flew low dizzying circles over alfalfa and recently cut barley and sometimes landed deftly like long-winged bombers on a short and final. The National News no longer played stories of the Beaver Creek Fire but the smoke had left for the most part and the crowds had mainly left in a frenetic race to escape and left Silver Creek as it often is on a late August morning.
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.
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.
Trico Dun
First, here's an image of a female Trico dun taking a morning downstream ride on the Big Lost River.
I recently had the opportunity to photograph a family on Silver Creek the other night and here is a favorite from that shoot:
Silver Creek Preserve
Below is a panorama of the Silver Creek Preserve. This was taken on Aug 10th and the Beaver Creek Fire started on Aug 7th. The Beaver Creek Fire on this day was picking up momentum. The good news here is that the air is getting much much better and the firefighters are making substantial progress.
Here is a quote from the Hailey Chief of Police:
From Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter
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"As the news of the Beaver Creek Fire becomes more optimistic, and fire containment numbers continue to rise, here are some personal thoughts. 1st, we just witnessed a 108,000 acre fire rage through our valley that was larger than the size of Denver. 2nd, so far we only lost a few a structures, the property owners are in my thoughts and prayers. 3rd, keeping the fire confined to the west side of the HWY is miraculous. This fire had the potential to burn thousands of homes. The battle to stop the fire is ongoing and will continue for some time. 4th I thank all the firefighters who risked their lives and protected all the communities we live in. I witnessed so many acts of heroism. I also wish to thank all of law enforcement who have work so many hours breathing the unhealthy air, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the wonderful valley where we live. Teamwork, so far has minimized the damage and I am confident this effort will continue until the fire is put out. Thank you to all the emergency services that come from out of the area to help us fight the beast, May God bless this valley and everyone who participated in this event."
Here is a link to a news story recently passed along to me discussing the economic impact fire has had this year in the west. The title is: Cost of Western blazes spreads like wildfire HERE
Silver Creek
I spent the evening last night on Silver Creek and the better part of today down there as well. The conditions have substantially improved here with the Beaver Creek Fire now at 47% containment. Smoky skies have been lifting in many areas by the early afternoon and our local streams are void of fishermen. The next few days may be some of the least crowded fishing at Silver Creek you will ever see in August.
Beaver Creek Fire V
For those of you who have not been to the InciWeb site for fire info here is the LINK. While many residents are still under mandatory evacuation orders, certain areas are opening back up. As things are changing by the hour, check with the InciWeb site or the Idaho Mountain Express for updates. Today is the least smoky day in awhile in Hailey probably due to the wind out of the south. This fire is undoubtedly an economic firestorm for this valley which relies on August as one of the two or three busiest months of the year here.
On the fishing front, now is the time to fish Silver Creek as it is the least crowded it will likely ever be in August and the fire activity is all to the north and north west.
Beaver Creek Fire IV
Here are a few more images from the Beaver Creek Fire which is still actively burning in the Sun Valley, Idaho area. Here is a link to a recent Idaho Mountain Express Update. Also, here is the InciWeb site which seems to have the best information on this fire and stays current: InciWeb
Beaver Creek Fire III
Here are a few images from the Beaver Creek Fire from today. Last night the fire gained a lot of ground and caused evacuations up and down the valley including Hailey and as far north as Lake Cr.
Beaver Creek Fire, Idaho II
Here are more images taken today of the Beaver Creek Fire just north of Hailey, Idaho. The fire has largely been out of control and has moved west to HWY 75 about 6 miles south of Ketchum & Sun Valley, Idaho. Many evacuation orders are in effect and it is now the nation's number 1 fire priority. For more info and updated info check out this link to The Idaho Mountain Express.
Beaver Creek Fire, Idaho
The Beaver Creek Fire, for those of you who don't know, has just turned more westerly and has been burning down Greenhorn Gulch since late this afternoon. Greenhorn Gulch is about 6 miles south of Ketchum, Idaho. This fire is certainly threatening many homes and has hopefully not burned any yet. Evacuations are in effect for certain areas. I took the images below between 5:15 and 7:45 tonight. The images were taken from a few different locations not far from HWY 75.
Camera: Nikon D3s
Lens: Nikon ƒ2.8 80-200 afs
Stocker Road Black & White
Below is an image taken of and from Stocker Road which is the west side entrance to the Silver Creek Preserve. The cloud in the background is actually smoke from the Beaver Creek Complex Fire. A substantial size crew--an ICP (Incident Command Post) has set up camp between Hailey and Ketchum off of Buttercup Rd. This fire is believed to be caused by lightning and has grown to approx 35,000 acres and at the time of writing this is 16% contained. Here is the link to the USFS Large Fire Incident site: Here
Below is an image of Silver Creek from The Nature Conservancy section and the Beaver Creek Complex Fire.
Camera: Nikon D3s
Lens: Nikon ƒ1.8 50mm