I floated from Hamlin to Silver Creek this past Friday. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and the river is in perfect condition. Nymphing was solid all day long with larger stonefly imitations being best. Hatches included a massive Grannom caddis emergence, March Browns, Blue Winged Olives and a few Salmon flies. I saw very few fish feeding on the surface.
Boat landings above the dam that are open and cleaned up post Holiday Fire Farm: EWEB Ramp, Helfrich Landing, Silver Creek, Finn Rock, Blue River, Hamlin, Bruckart. Closures include: Ben and Kay Doris and Rennie landing.
I had driven 126 post fire but this was my first time floating through the area and the devastation is shocking. There are tens of thousands of trees that undoubtably will be removed so the landscape is likely to change further. It’s difficult to describe the feeling you get floating through the area. It’s extremely sad for the homeowners and businesses in the area. The power of the fire and ruggedness of the exposed terrain if humbling. The river is still stunning and the fish are still very healthy.
