October 8, 2026
Paradise Valley Spring Creek Fishing Report
Kelsey, doing more Kelsey things! Photo: BFD
The spring creeks have been on and off lately. When on, they are eating small baetis (size #18-22), midges (both dries and nymphs), scuds, as well as terrestrials. When it's off it typically has something to do with the wind / high pressure and it has been tough for all anglers.
Sounds like more river fish are starting to show up. Typically we see the main push around 10/15. When they do come in thick, please be careful where you fish (and step) and refrain from fishing to actively spawning fish or to females digging redds.
Fishing with 6 or 6.5X has been the best, which means bring along a softer 5 weight, or if you have one, or even better bring a 4-weight or a 3-weight.
Other handy items to bring along:
- A 3 or 4-weight fly rod (better for delicate presentations and tippet protection)
- A net (easier on the fish and you break off less flies while landing them)
- 12 foot 6 leader (a good base leader)
- 5-7X tippet (use 5 if you can, 6.5X if you need it, 7 or thinner if you dare)
- Floatant (Gink, Aquel, dry magic)
- Powdered desiccant (Frog's Fanny, Dry Shake)
- SPF chapstick (good for the sun and your knots)
RATES:
Armstrong's: 4/15 - 6/14: $100, 6/15-7/31: $150, 8/1-9/14: $120, 9/15-10/14: $100
DePuy's: 4/15 - 6/14: $100, 6/15 - 7/31: $150, 8/1 - 9/14: $120, 9/15-10/14: $100
Nelson's: 4/1 - 6/14: $100, 6/15 - 7/31: $140, 8/1-11/1: $100, 11/1 - 3/31: $60
Lower Depuy's... Photo:Ryan Mincey
Recommended flies
Dry flies:
Sulphur Sawyer Nymph #18-20
Sulphur CDC Emergers #16-20
Sulphur Sparkle Dun #16-20
Sulphur Comparadun #16-20
Sulphur Spinners #16-20
PMD Sparkle Dun #14-20
PMD Compara Dun #14-20
Brooks Sprout Emerger PMD #16-20
PMD CDC Dun #16-20
PMD Hi-vis Spinner #14-18
PMD CDC Spinner #14-18
Rusty Spinner #14-18
Harrop Hanging Midge Black #18-24
Harrop Hanging Midge Grey #18-24
Brook's Sprout Midge Emerger #18-22
George's Tailless Midge #20-22
Midge Cluster #16-22
Griffith's Gnat #16-20
CDC Cluster Midge #22-24
Baetis Comparadun #18-20
Baetis Sparkle Dun#18-20
Nymphs:
Splitback PMD #14-18
Tungsten Splitback PMD #16-20
Harrop Short Wing Emerger #14-18
Sawyer Style Pheasant Tail #14-20
Miracle Nymphs #16-22
Zebra midges (all colors) #18-22
Tungsten Zebra Midges (all colors) #18-22
Larva Lace Midge Larve (all colors) #18-22
Black Bead TZM (all colors) #18
Humbug Midge Rootbeer #18-20
Humbug Midge Olive #18-20
Graveyard Midge #18
Paulson's Pink Softy #14-18
Sow bug Soft Hackle Pink #16-18
Orang Ray Charles #16-18
Spring Creek Leech #10-12
Sowbug #16-20
Hothead Softhackles #16-20
Grey Ray Charles #16-20
Orange Ray Charles #16-20
Olive Scuds #16-20
Grey Scuds #16-20