Connecting with a Long ‘Big Lost’ Friend

Fly Fishing Idaho

I fly fished the Big Lost River in Idaho about 13 years ago below the Mackay Reservoir dam and shame on me for only fishing it once.  Maybe it’s because I’m constantly tempted to fly fish the closer rivers here in  Idaho like The South Fork or Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, Teton River, Falls River, or local creeks.  Regardless, I’m reminded about all the great rivers that are available to fly fish in this great state of Idaho.

The reason this was brought to my mind was that my buddy Lucas took his 12 year old son fly fishing the Big Lost river about a week ago and said it was pretty unbelievable.  Of course, this took me back to my lone experience and the quick desire to return.

Here is some quick facts of the Big Lost River:

• The Big Lost River has two sections with trout populations. The headwaters above
  Mackay Reservoir and the tailwater below the reservoir.
• The river is located near the Sun Valley area with the tailwater
  located off highway #93 near Mackay, Idaho.
• Although the tailwater is not large, the Big Lost River is known for large trout populations.
• The Upper Big Lost has some amazing scenery.
• There are fantastic hatches that occur on the Big Lost throughout the summer.
• It is best fished from July to October with some winter fishing in March.

Here is a short video of my friend recent trip with his son.  It is a bit shaky when operated by the son, but to have a 12 year old excited to be fly fishing and filming the experience is what we need more of.

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