Kelly Creek
creek in Idaho
Kelly Creek is managed as a wild trout fishery, accessible primarily by forest roads and trails. It's a classic freestone creek with pristine water, riffles, pools, and runs, ideal for wade fishing.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout are the target species
- 01Westslope Cutthroat Trout are the target species, known for aggressive dry fly takes.
- 02Dominant hatches include Blue-winged Olives (Baetis) and October Caddis.
- 03Focus on deep runs and pools with boulders and downed timber for optimal success.
- 04Dry-dropper rigs are highly effective, pairing a large attractor with a smaller nymph or emerger.
- 05Hiking upstream on trails like the Idaho Centennial Trail often provides access to less pressured water and larger fish.
- 06Streamers can be very effective for enticing aggressive strikes from larger fish in deeper holding water.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis are a significant fall hatch on Kelly Creek, and this large dry fly is perfect for targeting aggressive surface feeders.
Buy at AmazonTungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
This weighted stonefly nymph is excellent for getting down to deeper runs and pools where Westslope Cutthroat Trout hold, mimicking dislodged aquatic insects.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Fall Blue-winged Olives are actively hatching on Kelly Creek, and this low-profile dry fly effectively imitates selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile and reliable streamer, the olive Woolly Bugger imitates leeches and baitfish, enticing aggressive strikes from predatory Westslope Cutthroat Trout in deeper water.
Juan's Slim Shady
This BWO dry fly is excellent for selective Westslope Cutthroat Trout keying on adult Blue-winged Olives during fall hatches.
Flashback Pheasant Tail
A classic and effective general mayfly nymph imitation that is productive year-round on Kelly Creek, particularly important during fall mayfly activity.
Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
BWO emergers are a crucial food source during fall hatches, and this high-visibility pattern helps spot subtle takes from Westslope Cutthroat.
Jujubaetis
Baetis nymphs are a consistent food source year-round on Kelly Creek, and are particularly effective as a subsurface offering during fall BWO activity.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Kelly Creek Campground
Provides direct access to prime fishing waters in the lower and middle sections of the creek.
Syringa Trailhead
Access point for deeper wilderness sections, offering solitude and excellent fishing for wild cutthroat.
Get Kelly Creek reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Idaho season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
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Quick answers
Common questions about Kelly Creek.
What flies work best on Kelly Creek?
Our top scored fly patterns for Kelly Creek right now are March Brown Nymph (80% confidence), Beadhead Caddis Pupa (80% confidence), Stonefly Nymph (Kaufmann's) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Kelly Creek?
Kelly Creek holds Westslope Cutthroat Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Kelly Creek fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Kelly Creek each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.