The Big Lost River becomes a popular fishery this time of year as snow melt increases to give some access below Mackay Dam. Midge and BWO activity makes for good fishing. The Mackay area got hammered with about a foot of snow this last weekend, but the river below the dam is accessible where some snow banks remain. Flow out of Mackay Dam was increased to 320 cfs last Tuesday.
Current midge activity and that upcoming for BWOs results in good fishing. Flow out of Mackay Dam is around 175 cfs. The big “if” is access because plenty of snow remains along the river below the dam. You might be able to park off the highway, but be ready to walk a ways with some “post holing” to get to the river.
Flow below Mackay Dam is 108 cfs. That makes wading easy. BWO and midge activity bring trout to the surface, but nymphing might bring better action during these nice days.
With flow below Mackay Dam just a bit above 200 cfs (normal for this time of year is about 180 cfs) wading is safe and even though terrestrial insect are gone for the year, BWOs and midges are quite active.
Flow below Mackay Dam is around 200 cfs, meaning wading is safe. BWOs come out during early PM hours with trout responding. But wintry weather predicted for the next few days means this weekend may make for a more comfortable visit.
Flow out of Mackay Reservoir was reduced to 220 cfs this week. This makes for easier wading in the river below the dam. Look for early AM tricos and later in the day BWO activity.
Tricos are emerging in mornings from river below Mackay Dam. Flow out of the dam is still a bit high for easy wading, so do with care.
Flow out of Mackay Reservoir is just a bit below 400 cfs and dropping. Further drops will make for safer wading to enjoy the western green drake, golden stonefly and upcoming terrestrial insect activity.
Flows between 600-700 cfs coming out of Mackay Dam make for treacherous wading below. If flow were cut in half, it would be safer for enjoying the golden stone and western green drake activity soon to come on. We still have no info on the river in Copper Basin, but USGS water flow gages tell us that Basin stream flows are are about normal. So that alone suggests that good fishing should be available.
Flow out of Mackay Dam is about 750 cfs making for very tough wading. Hatchery catchables have been stocked at just above Arco. We have no information to date on fishing conditions on the river above the reservoir.