Farther downstream is the famous Purdy Ranch, an exclusive fishing club that holds some of the creek's best water. Non-members can gain access in a float tube or canoe but must avoid trespassing on the ranch's property. Below Purdy Ranch the creek crosses U.S. 20 and heads north for a few miles before heading east again. This public area is open to bait casters and spin fishermen or those who want a couple of fish for the creel. The limit is two fish over 16 inches or under 12 inches.
Silver Creek is home to an abundance of rainbow, brown and brook trout.
Though not native to the system, these fish are the descendants of generations of wild trout. None has been planted here since 1975, and the fish thrive on a smorgasbord of insects, including Tricos, Baetis, Pale Morning Duns, caddis, stoneflies and Brown Drakes. This fecundity of trout and bugs doesn't mean that the fishing's easy. In fact, the opposite is often true. Getting a trout to take an imitation can be nearly impossible amid all that bounty.