Week of March 12, 2007
Big Wood River
The Big Wood River has been fishing as well as ever this winter. Midge emergences have been happening since the beginning of the year, allowing anglers dry fly opportunities and lots of target practice. Some small black spring stoneflies( capnia) have been hatching as well. Capnia do not often offer a great dry fly opportunity, as this stonefly is fully aquatic from birth to death. Their wingless, wiggly, size 14 forms can be found crawling on the snow banks of the rivers and occasionally walking on the water’s surface. A size 14/16 dark brown or black pheasant tail nymph has been very productive and is probably eaten as the small capnia stonefly.
When the midge hatch is heavy, most of the trout will rise and feed in the soft waters of nearly every pool on the Big Wood. Be prepared to fish dry midge patterns and midge emergers with 6X tippets, and in heavily fished areas, even 7X tippets. A good trick is to fish your midge pattern about three feet behind a size 16 or 18 visible dry fly. Sometimes the larger indicator fly is eaten and sometimes you can even find your midge pattern with the help of the indicator fly.
When there is no surface action, nymphing on the Big Wood has been very good. Small weighted nymphs in tandem, have been most productive with long, light leaders. Fluorocarbon tippets are also an advantage. The black zebra midge has been the go to fly as the point fly. In the deeper runs large stonefly patterns are always a good bet.
The Lower Wood in the Canyon below Magic has also been fishing well. The population of fish is good, although the trout are not as large as in some years. Still probably the best opportunity to catch a twenty plus inch rainbow or brown is in the Canyon. Midge hatches are abundant with a few blue winged olives showing. Fish midges, small nymphs, and small streamers.
Closes March 15
Big Lost River
The Big Lost is worth the two and a half hour drive through the Craters of the Moon. This is one of my favorite rivers in the area. Midges and a few baetis are hatching (blue winged olives). The spring baetis on the Lost are big for baetis, size 18, and you can fish a size 16. The blue wings are just beginning to show and the hatch should get stronger through the month of March.
Nymphing the pools and riffles at the top of the pools with a pheasant tail and zebra midge combination is very productive. The rainbows on the Lower Lost are beginning their spawn. Be careful not to walk on the redds.
Closes March 31
Little Wood River (Desert)
Muddy Roads and cloudy water. If you want to take this adventure, try a large Yellow bunny streamer or large Prince nymph in the pool waters. You shouldn’t have snakes this time of year.
Silver Creek
Closed February 28
Carey Lake
Fun for bluegill, bass and perch. Try a prince nymph a couple of feet under an indicator. Small streamers and foam beetles will also work well.
Salmon River
The steelhead are moving with the unusually warm weather. Most of the fish are below the North Fork of the Salmon River according to the catch rates on the Fish and Game website, but they have been caught as high as the East Fork of the Salmon River.
As of March 9, ten fish had been trapped at the Pahsimeroi hatchery. The Sawtooth hatchery will begin trapping March 26.
Closing Notes
We still have some openings for our Stanley steelhead lodge; we pride ourselves in providing great meals, great ambiance, great company and awesome guiding.
Call 208.726.1706 or e-mail info@lostriveroutfitters.com to make your reservation!
Fish far and fine,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters