Here we are near the end of February, in the dead of winter. Daytime temperatures are creeping into the 40s, lows at night are in the 20s. There is snow on the ground. A very different Silver Creek than the one we know in the spring, summer and fall. I haven’t talked to anyone who has been to the creek lately. If you have first-hand knowledge, shoot me an email.
I’ll probably visit the creek in April on my way to fish for Steelhead in the Salmon River. I’ll give you an update then.
“SILVER CREEK—Again, your fishing location dictates what you find. Trico and Beatis spinners continue as our main morning hatches but the amount of bugs on the water is very iffy and in general, has been weak for most of the year. As we approach mid-August, the duration of the hatches will now get even shorter. Regardless, Dave’s Trico Spinner #22, Mason Quill Beatis Spinner #22 and a Beatis Sparkle Dun #22 will find a few feeders. For you brave souls, night fishing has been somewhat productive using Wooly Buggers and the like. But you still need to be careful wading in the dark.” – Bill Mason
quote from the Idaho Mountain Express
“SILVER CREEK—Typically for this time of year, almost all of your best fishing activity is in the morning. You might find some decent Pale Morning Dun emergences in the evening but the bulk of the successes will come in the morning hours. Trico, Beatis and PMD spinners intersperse with each other and make up all of your hatch and imitation concerns. You should have in your arsenal of fly patterns Dave Trico Spinners #22, Cut Wing Trico Spinner #22, Mason Beatis Spinner #22, Brown Quill Spinner #22 and a Gray/Yellow No Hackle #16-18 if PMD’s appear. Hopefully, Trico will stay manageable in terms of quantity but this will be your fishing routine for the next month. You may fish some Damsel Flys in the afternoon but for the most part, everything closes down about noon. – Bill Mason”
quoted from Idaho Mountain Express
“SILVER CREEK—Don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but here goes: Fishing is good but hatches are a bit inconsistent both in quantity and duration. Fortunately there is enough activity to find working fish and if you put the right fly over them, most all will readily take your imitation. Typical for this time of year, the Pale Morning Dun and Beatis spinners continue to be the main players. Throw in a few Callibeatis and Blue Damsels (afternoons) and you have just about covered most of what you will see. PMD Parachutes #16-18, PMD Sparkle Duns and Cripples #18-22, Mason Quill Beatis Spinners #22, Lt. Olive Sparkle Duns #20-22, Para Partridge Callibeatis and Partridge Spinners #16 and Blue Damsel Fly’s #6-10 should just about cover your fly imitation needs. As a side note, because of the intense heat we are experiencing, the PMD emergence may shift into the evening at dusk and can provide some great fishing. It is certainly worth a look. – Bill Mason.”
quoted from Idaho Mountain Express
“SILVER CREEK—Typical for this time of year, both the duration and quantity of our hatches can be spotty. Since many of the fish have been fished over for nearly a month, they too have become a little skittish. Regardless, there is enough going on in the late morning into the afternoon to make for some nice angling opportunities. Beatis (D. hageni) and the Pale Morning Dun (E. dorthea infrequens) are the principal players seen on the water. Fly patterns consist of Mason Quill Beatis Spinners #22, Para Lt. Olive #20-22, Sparkle Dun Beatis Cripples #20-22, PMD Parachutes #18 and PMD Cripples #18. I would start carrying Blue Damsel #10-12 imitations for afternoon fishing over the weed beds. The Creek has always been a mid- and late-season stream so the best is yet to come. – Bill Mason”
quoted from Idaho Mountain Express
“SILVER CREEK—Because hatches have been far stronger than normal, the fishing has been very good. Green Drakes (D. grandis) have been all the rage. They are found in the upper portions of the preserve but are never an overwhelming hatch. Because of their large sizes, they get the attention of all the fish. Para Green Drake #10-12 and a Green Drake Cripple #12 take fish even when fished blind. Mid morning, PMD’s have also been abundant and a PMD Parachute and PMD Cripples #16-18 takes fish at will. Beatis also shows itself, mixing in and acting as a buffer between these hatches. Mason Quill Beatis Spinner #22 and a Sparkle Dun Beatis Emerger or CDC Beats Cripple #20-22 do the job. Also, some very large fish have been taken on large Chernobyl Ants and Beatles #8-10. – Bill Mason”
quoted from Idaho Mountain Express
Just uploaded some photos of the Hemingway Memorial at Silver Creek, including this one
We hope our new website is both informative and useful to the visiting angler. Let us know what we can provide to make your fishing visit more productive and enjoyable.
