Spring creeks, for starters, are my favorite type of river or stream. They have an inviting aesthetic that’s generally accompanied with cold, clear water and aquatic vegetation unique to spring creeks, harboring hundreds of thousands of aquatic insects. The combination of cold water and lots of bugs means great habitat for trout.
There are not a ton of spring creeks in the west and a majority of them seem to flow through private land. Silver Creek, however, in south central Idaho, runs through a large swath of Nature Conservancy land, and as such is available to the public. Farther downstream there’s also more public access on this high desert spring creek.
The combination of cold water and lots of bugs means great habitat for trout.
As a photographer and a guide, I’m constantly drawn to Silver Creek. The fish are not always easy to catch but they are both abundant and can stretch the tape beyond 30 inches. Silver Creek is a microcosm for insects that trout eat and it is my backyard photo lab for macro images of bugs, rising trout and landscapes. It’s a true gem and I’m incredibly lucky to live near it. More importantly, Silver Creek, like all other trout streams, is vulnerable to drought and is worth protecting.
Nick Price
Contributed By
Nick Price
Nick Price is an Idaho based photographer specializing in fly fishing, travel and outdoor lifestyle. His editorial work has appeared in The FlyFish Journal, The Drake, Anglers Journal, Condé Nast Traveler, and others. He travels regularly but has a love for Silver Creek, his home water. Nick also guides Silver Creek among other rivers based out of Picabo Angler. He’s married with two sons.
