Hey bug slingers,
As the school year kicks off, the valley has settled into a calmer rhythm—but don’t let that fool you. The fishing is still rocking along, and September is one of the best times to be on the water! The Upper Salmon is CLOSED to float-boating, but OPEN to wade fishing. Just remember to be mindful of salmon redds and give those quiet zones a wide berth.
Local Secret……the river closure, reducing angler pressure, combined with the cold evenings is a recipe for SUCCESS. And yes—you can still float below the eastern SNRA boundary (just past Holman Campground).
Right now we’re running a lot of hopper-dropper rigs, with other terrestrials producing as well. Attractor patterns are doing their job, and modest-sized streamers are moving fish. For the fellow trout spey addicts out there—this is prime time to swing soft hackles.
Salmon River:
Straightforward fishing, and that’s a good thing. Terrestrials and attractors are the ticket—think Adams, caddis, stimulators, hoppers, and beetles. Simple, classic, and effective. Keep your rods away from Indian Riffles and Torrey’s Hole the next few weeks and let the Salmon do their thing.
South of Stanley:
Flows are a bit lower now, so focus on holding water and the deeper slots. Some cutthroat are starting to show above town—keep flies smaller for those fish, size 14 and down. Whities are happy to eat nymphs, while size 12 hoppers, ants, and beetles round out the menu.
Lakes:
The Stanley-area lakes continue to fish well, with plenty of stocked fish still around. Woolly buggers and balanced leeches are a solid play during the day, while evenings call for small dries—mosquitos, micro chubbies, stimulators, ants, beetles, and little Adams in size 16. The hatchery has wrapped up stocking, but anglers are still finding plenty of action.
Alpine Lakes:
This is one of the best times of year to hike high and fish the alpine. Trout are comfortable and willing, riding higher in the column and taking dries for much of the day. Mosquitos, Purple Haze, and Adams are staples, but terrestrials can be just as deadly. Pack a Versileader and a few woolly buggers in case they’re not looking up.
Middle Fork:
Our Rocky Mountain River Tours guides just came off the water, and the word is—it’s on! Middle Fork classics are producing: Chernobyl ants, orange stimulators, and hoppers. Size down a touch for the ribs, and don’t overlook tributaries—micro chubbies in 14–16 are money. Streamers are also getting more attention with the current flows. The returning Salmon are in the system and headed upstream to Spawn. Bull trout love the chase.
Our guided season has wrapped up, and we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us this summer—it was an incredible one, and we’re so grateful.
The Stanley Fly Shop is still open daily, stocked with all the goods you’ll need. Current shop hours: 9am – 6pm. Swing by, swap some fish stories, and gear up for the next adventure.
Tight lines,
The Stanley Fly Shop Crew