Smokey Days, Wyoming/Idaho Trip

The Wind River, Wyoming

The last month has been crazy with fires and smoke from nearby and afar fires in California and Oregon. Needless to say this has put a big dent in the recreation side of things. Summer is slowly slipping away and the outdoor activities have suffered. At one time both nearby fly fishing operations at Bollibokka Club and Clearwater House were under threat of burning and had to be evacuated. Fortunately both have been saved but the landscape has changed. The Hirz Fire is the closest to us, approximatel 15 miles from both McCloud and Dunsmuir but CalFire has put enough resources on it to slow it down, as of this morning it is 17% contained. All of us up here in the north state cannot express our gratitude enough to the brave fire fighters and other first responders out there putting their lives on the line …. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!! So under the circumstances here’s the fishing report for what it’s worth.

For those hearty enough to get out under these unpleasant conditions the fishing has been decent. Lack of pressure has helped on both the McCloud and Upper Sacramento Rivers. My sources tell me that excellent days have been had for those willing to put up with the smoke on both the McCloud and Upper Sacramento Rvers. The Dunsmuir area is loaded with truck trout and reports of big fish out of the McCloud have been broadcast. Also the good news is that the smoke currently tends to come and go so hope grows eternal and better days are coming … we hope.

In the mean time for the last two weeks (just returned) I’ve been in Wyoming and Idaho enjoying the hopper action throwing every hopper pattern I can get my hands on. Fortunately or unfortunately (there was still some CA smoke there) I have had to go that far but it was well worth it for me and my buds, Fred “The Fish” Gordon and Buster. Straight up hopper, hopper dropper and hopper dropper dropper was the game. We were on the Wind River, Big Horn, Salt and Snake in WY and Teton River and South Fork of the Snake in ID. The hoppers were thick and the fish grabby. The Wind River is a tail water holding rainbows and browns that are very big and energetic. Recommended tippet for these strong brutes is 2x and a 6 or 7 wt. rod. When hooked up on one expect explosive runs sometimes into your backing and be prepared to loose about half of them. On all rivers we drifted and cast from the raft pounding the bank, walk waded edges and side channels, and some days just plan left the raft at home and wade fished. Enjoy the pics below and look for Wild Waters Fly Fishing to be hosting some trips here for this phenomenal time of the year.

Cheers

Rick Cox

rick@wildwatersflyfishing.com