I (also) went fishing on Saturday

I was in Idaho last week.  It's a pretty great state, and if you don't believe me, ask my buddy Zack, who grew up there. 

I fished in several rivers: the South Fork of the Snake River, the Big Lost River and the Big Wood River.  I caught fish in each but the latter was the most productive for me.  I found that the fish there were agreeable to terrestrial offerings; notably, hoppers and small, cinnamon ants. 

I had exactly two small, cinnamon ants in my fly boxes.  A size 12 Power Ant caught me numerous fish until I lost it on an unexpectedly large specimen in a small backwater flow.  I rummaged through my boxes until I found the only other suitable version, which apparently already had some encounters. 

The fly fell apart over the course of the next dozen fish until it no longer floated and hardly looked like an ant.  I tried a black ant, roughly the same size and failed to raise another fish.

I drove down to the famed Silver Creek, drank a beer while I walked its banks.  I didn't make a single cast.  Then I hit the road west, for home.

RIO Products

The good folks at RIO have put together a few videos that I thought I'd share with you all.  Enjoy!

A short video on RIO's stunning new trout line, the RIO Perception - winner of Best New Fly Line for 2014 at EFTTEX and IFTD from RIO Products on Vimeo.

Choosing the perfect trout line, by RIO products from RIO Products on Vimeo.

Choosing the ideal Spey line, by RIO Products from RIO Products on Vimeo.

CHOOSING A SPEY SHOOTING LINE from RIO Products on Vimeo.

Warming Up

Went over the pass to fish the South Fork in Idaho yesterday. Even though it didn't get as warm as predicted, there were a few fish looking up. They didn't seem to give two shits about the midge clouds everywhere so, naturally, I swung a big white articulated sex dungeon.

The Spring Creek Saga Continues

Lightning strike mission to Silver Creek, ID a couple days ago. Fishing was really slow but we still managed to break off a pair of the biggest browns I've ever seen eat a dry fly. Fishing on top is only 6 and 7x tippets at times, needless to say, this water is TOUGH. When its on though, there is no cooler place on earth. I say this openly because it would be almost impossible for this place to have more crowds than it already does. This Silver Creek squirt did not eat a dry fly
If you're driving East from Silver, don't forget to stop in Arco, Butte County, ID for a burger, shake, and to pick up a 2011-2012 Butte Pirate schedule. I've been told their wrestling team is strong this year.

Stillwater Slobs

Idaho

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1. Witnessing midge hatches of biblical proportions and gargantuan salmonflies crawling the riverbanks whilst the fish of the Henry's Fork refuse to eat because of brown water and 100 year flood levels.

I did manage to pull 1 healthy cutt-bow from the source of the famed river before the wind and waves picked up. Apparently, late season, this is the place to go for a good shot at trout in the 10lb. class on dry flies. I'll be back.

Silver Creek, Idaho

"There comes a time in the life journey of a fly fisher when the soul needs testing as much as the mind. The skills of casting, reading water, fly selection, and presentation have been honed to fine edges. Countless giants have been caught and released. The motivation that carries an angler from river to stream no longer involves mere numbers or goals.

Place becomes as important as pounds. The combination of immaculate stream with fabled fish, awe-inspiring scenery and classic hatches commands the angler's quest. Ultimately it brings him to Silver Creek, Idaho's quintessential river of dreams" -Ken Retallic and Rocky Barker

Fortunately for us, this intimidating prerequisite for Silver Creek didn't entirely hold true as almost every fish in the public stretch was sipping blue winged olive's with reckless abandon and didn't give a damn about our presentation skills not honed to fine edges. One of the most prolific mayfly hatches i've ever seen. 15 or so fish were netted, rainbows approaching 30 inches were seen. Quite the place...

Holy Salmonflies Batman

Plenty of action on the Henry's Fork on Wednesday. No real hogs...but 15 or so small rainbows gulping stoneflies half their size. Idaho next weekend again to check out tosme different water. There's 10 pounders in them there hills.