Stump Creek

For the first time in a few years I wandered over to Stump Creek to try some early fishing on this small tributary to the Salt River. As a result of heavy rains and snowfall over Memorial day weekend, Stump Creek was fairly high and off color. Not too bad but enough to throw off the fishing. I caught a few cutthroats but nothing of note. It seemed that no one fly had any stimulating effect on the trout. The fish seemed non-existent although this stream contains excellent habitat. Some free range cattle may have contributed to the water's lack of clarity. Give Stump Creek a few weeks and the fishing should pick up considerably. From flipping over rocks, there appears to be a nice mayfly hatching not too far off in the future. Given its remote access Stump Creek may not be a bad place over the next month especially if you have beginner fly fishermen.

One final trip to the Blackfoot River

On Friday, I made one last trip to the Blackfoot River before winter sets in. If was a pretty slow day for the most part and the bigger fish were absent from my line. I did catch one 19" cutthroat and 5 more in the 12" range. My dad caught 10 - one bigger than 14". The water was icy cold which may have made the fish a little lethargic but it was an average day according to the moon phase calendar so 16 fish wasn't too bad.

Fly of the day: Size 12 bead head prince nymph. Nothing else worked.

Mid September Excellence

My father and I spent Monday fishing the Upper Blackfoot River for probably the last time this year as temperatures begin to dip and my annual elk hunting excursions begin. We fished for 3 hours and caught over 40 fish between the two of us. The majority of the fish were in the 10-14" range but we did catch 10 fish over 17". In one hole my dad landed 10 fish.

But the monster of the day was a 22" 5 pound cutthroat that obliterated a size 8 foam hopper. After a 10 minute fight we landed this beautiful fish but regretfully the camera was having a technical difficulty.

It was a great day and it is amazing to see the Blackfoot returning to its prior glory. Just 10 years ago there was almost no water and the river was full of carp. An outstanding turnaround for one of Eastern Idaho's best fisheries.

The flies of the day were a size 8 gray foam hopper and a size 14 bead head prince nymph. No other fly was necessary.

Three Days of Fishing

This last weekend I spent three days fishing three different locations:

1. Blackfoot River. On Monday I fished on the upper Blackfoot River and had an ok day. I caught 12 fish, three over 17 inches. I lost one big cutthroat that was probably a 24" fish. The fish were a little sluggish because the night before a heavy thunderstorm messed up the water quality. I caught the fish on a medium sized foam hopper (size 8) and a hairs ear nymph (size 16). The 21" trout is in the picture:

2. East Fork Teton River (Bitch Creek - sorry for the name). On Saturday I fished on Bitch Creek which flows into the Teton River. It is a beautiful mountain stream with big boulders and slippery footing. You'll need good shoes and be in good shape to fish this stream. I caught 10-12 fish, one 16 and one 14 incher. All fish were cutthroats. Most of the fish were caught on a size 16 prince nymph and a couple on foam hoppers. Here are some pictures of the creek:

3. McTucker Ponds. On Friday I went with my kids to McTucker Ponds and they caught 20+ bluegill and smallmouth bass each. It was a fun day for them. The fish were caught on prince nymphs and hare's ears. They really like shiny gold colored objects. It is a great place to go to get kids hooked on fishing.

Montana's Yellowstone River: From the Teton Wilderness to the Missouri
Flyfisher's Guide to Idaho (Flyfisher's Guides)
Fly Fishing Idaho: A Quick, Clear Understanding of Where to Fly Fish in Idaho (No Nonsense Fly Fishing Guides)
Fly Fishing Adventure: Idaho's Silver Creek

Finally...Some Fishing

The high water is finally starting to recede from Idaho's non tailwater streams and rivers. I have gone twice to the Blackfoot River and although the water has been exceptionally high and fishing slow, I did catch a few beautiful cutthroat trout. On opening day a caught a total of 2 fish but one was a beautiful 21 incher. Last week I caught 8-10, with four over 17 inches. My dad caught two over 18 inches. So even though fish have been few and far between the overall size of the fish has been excellent.

Oh...the hoppers are starting to come out. Can't wait for a glorious August and September of flyfishing!

All the big fish hit black or brown wooly buggers with bead heads.

The L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing
Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die
Flyfisher's Guide to Idaho (Flyfisher's Guides)