Big Lost River, September 10th, 2022
Flow out of Mackay Dam is about 200 cfs meaning wading the river below safe. As weather cools, look for BWO activity to increase to attract trout along with terrestrial insects doing the same.
Big Lost River
Big Lost River, August 27th, 2022
Flow out of Mackay Dam has been raised to 260 cfs. This increase will make wading the river below a bit tougher, but terrestrial insect and caddis life cycle patterns during mid-day and PM hours are still effective as are trico life cycle patterns in the AM.
Big Lost River, August 6th, 2022
With flow out of Mackay Dam a bit below 300 cfs, wading is much safer. A few western green drakes and golden stones are likely still around, so their life cycle patterns should be in that fly box. The most effective dry patterns, however, will be those for terrestrial insects. Hopper patterns in sizes large enough not to be sunk by a suspended nymph pattern of choice should be particularly effective.
Big Lost River, June 11th, 2022
With 900 cfs coming out of Mackay Dam, consider that wading the river below is downright dangerous.
Big Lost River, June 4th, 2022
Irrigation demands have taken over and flow out of Mackay Reservoir are close to 500 cfs making wading below the dam dangerous. Water in the reservoir is limited, so flow will decrease eventually, and we will watch this situation and relate when flows drop to safer levels.
Big Lost River, May 16th, 2022
Want to escape the Henry’s Fork-Henry’s Lake crowds and busy highways going there and back? Here is a place to consider: with less than 100 cfs coming out of Mackay Dam, resulting easy wading, and fish responding midges and BWO activity and a few isoperla stone flies, its will be relatively tranquil.. Look for the reservoir above the dam to also provide good fishing through boating until more crowded opening day weekend conditions.
Big Lost River, March 22nd, 2022
Flow out of Mackay Dam is about 75 cfs. Water management priority is to fill Mackay Reservoir, so look for low flows until irrigation season begins. The low flow makes for easy wading and concentrates fish into deeper water. Broken snow and ice prevails along banks and is receding. Midge and BWO life cycle, small bead head nymph, medium sized woolly bugger, and peacock leech patterns bring action.
Big Lost River, October 26th, 2021
With only 45 cfs coming out of Mackay Dam, fish in the river below will be concentrated in deepest holes and wading will be easy. Crowding is not the best situation for the fish, but BWO activity will bring them to the surface where BWO life cycle and soft hackled patterns will be effective.
Big Lost River, October 12th, 2021
Less than 100 cfs is flowing out of Mackay Dam making for good wading conditions, but tough weather conditions are present. Little traffic will be coming from the Ketchum-Sun Valley area because of road conditions on Trail Creek Summit. Some discolor is present in the water, but BWOs and midges are emerging, so life cycle patterns for these will work. So will woolly bugger types and nymphs in singles or tandem rigs.
Big Lost River, September 18th, 2021
Flow out of Mackay Dam is 108 cfs making for relatively easy wading in the river below. Water has some discolor from silt coming in from reservoir remainder above, but AM tricos emerge. Bead head nymphs, soft hackles, woolly buggers and small streamers are producing. Some BWOs appear in the PM.