Big Lost River,Idaho
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I’m headed to the Stanley and Ketchum area of Idaho the second week of September. I’ve been to most of that area once and have always wanted to get back there. Lots of streams in all directions for most all species of trout. I’ll be wade fishing on all waters. The Big Lost river is the one that I thought about floating, with a guide. I have accessed the river just below the dam but if the flow is high, wading may not be an option, at least easily. I was wondering if any one here has fished this river and if so, did you float and use a guide. I would rather float it, but I’m wanting to hear some positive feedback. I’m fishing by myself this round, so the cost could be the factor. If anyone can throw some names out there of guides they have used, that would be helpful. Not sure how many , if more than one, sections that they float there. All responses are appreciated!
Mike, the Big Lost is one of my favorites, but if you’re going the middle of September the river may be too low for a float, but just right for some of the best wade fishing of your life. We fish this river a lot from the dam down through the town of Mackay. In all of my years of fishing this river I have never seen a boat on this river, but I only fish it from September through spring until they bump the water up for the irrigators. I would check the Westfly website for stream flow info as well as current reports http://www.west-fly-fishing.com/cgi-bin/showGraphs?station=941&range=month
Small is the key when it comes to flies. Lots of different hatches, but mostly midges and BWO’s by the time you’ll be there. I fish both on top as well as dragging a three-nymph rig through promising holes. The fish aren’t huge (mostly bows), but there are a few 20+ inchers as well as a few brook trout.
Here are a few pics to whet your appetite:
Hope you have a great trip. I’d be glad to give you more info, just PM me here.
Kelly.
Thanks for the input everyone. Kelly, that probably answers the question about floating. Thanks for those pictures. that’s great. As far as wading access, I know of two, one at the dam and one down a little further, but I have not been to the lower one. Is there any access that’s well marked closer to Mackay ?
Mike, check here: http://jimmysflyshop.com/?cat=19 for latest reports. If you come through Idaho Falls to reach the Big Lost it is worth a trip to Jimmy’s Fly Shop for info.
Kelly.
Kelly, thanks for the tips on the access. That’s where I believe I spent some time before. I got into some fish taking tricos and bwos. I just went back and looked at my journal entries during the last trip there which was 2003. The flow was 158 cfs and easy to wade. I do remember my wife and I having to bushwhack our way downstream along the banks because the bushes and trees were pretty thick in places. Can’t wait to get there. Again, I appreciate the help.
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