Week of December 14, 2009
The past week put many outdoor activities into hibernation. Duck hunting was reported good, with birds wanting into the fields to feed or on the water to stay warm. I did not have a chance to experience it, but limits were reported by many hunters.
As for the fishing it was a good week to sort the fly boxes, tie some flies, or sort out equipment for the next weather break. Many waters froze over and suffered anchor ice, even the Big Wood. Hopefully this next system will bring some snow for a good insulating layer to keep that from happening again. Low temperatures are now back above zero with highs pushing thirty. A couple of days of warmer temps should give you diehards some open water and some active feeding in the afternoon hours.
South Fork of the Boise
The South Fork is flowing at 304 cfs. Perfect wading conditions although the rocks are slippery on this tailwater. A double nymph rig in the big pools fished off the riffles will produce. Be prepared for some midge hatches and possibly the winter micro baetis on the South Fork. A stonefly nymph in black or brown in the soft broken boulder water will also fool some of these big rainbows.
Yellowstone Park
We are taking bookings for our June and September trips to Yellowstone right now. We fish the Madison, Firehole, Gibbon and the western side of the Park in June. In September we base from the N. E. corner of the Park in Silver Gate, and fish the Lamar, Slough Creek, the Yellowstone River, Trout Lake and Soda Butte Creek. June 16, 17, and 18 are already closed. Mid September in the Lamar Valley also has bookings. If you are interested, let us know as lodging is often the issue. Cost is $425/guide, two guests. Cabins are $160/night double occupancy. You will spend about $300/day per angler for a guided adventure of a lifetime. Compare that to Chile, Argentina, or Alaska. If you have not experienced the some of the famous fly waters of Yellowstone, we would be happy to show you around.
Big Wood River
The Big Wood gauge in Hailey is still reporting ice. Flows are 90 cfs, below average, as much of the water is locked in ice. Trail Creek was pretty much frozen over, solid. The next few days should open up the river with the predicted storm and temperatures in Hailey approaching 32 degrees.
You might be prepared with a midge box, but a black or dark brown girdle bug, stonefly imitation on 4X tippet, nymphed upsteam with an indicator should be all that is needed. Fish the warmest part of the day right now, from about noon until 3 or 4 pm.
The Dam Pool on the Lower Wood is probably the only open water on the Lower Wood right now, so I would probably let that reach warm and melt some before venturing that direction.
Big Lost River
The lower Big Lost does get some ice when it gets as cold as it has been, but there are enough springs feeding in, and being a tail water, it stays pretty open in the upper reaches below the dam. It is flowing at 90 cfs, which are pretty good flows for winter on the lower. Take your midge box. You could have some rising and some selectivity happening.
A double nymph rig with at least one weighted, and small will fool these winter fish. A thorax bead pheasant tail with a black or green zebra midge is one of my favorite set ups. Long leaders with 6X tippets will produce more takes.
Little Wood River (Desert)
Ice.
Silver Creek
The open water on Silver Creek has a lot of ice. It may open back up.
Carey Lake
Carey Lake is the best shot for a quick fix on hooking a bunch of fish. Bluegill and bass at the inflow of the warm springs with a prince nymph short tippet, under an indicator will do the trick. When they take the indicator, put on a foam beetle or small popper and enjoy their enthusiasm.
Salmon River
I don’t know how flowing water is below freezing, but the Salmon at Whitebird is flowing at -.02 degrees Centigrade this morning. If you had to catch a steelhead on a fly in Idaho right now your best bet would be to nymph the Little Salmon at Riggins or possibly try the Clearwater if you wanted to swing a fly. I did catch one on the Big Salmon at Whitebird after Thanksgiving on a swung fly with the water at 37 degrees.
When the weather warms we will have some incredible fishing for our sea run rainbows. The counts over the dams into Idaho now number over 323,000 fish. One of the best runs since the dams have been built. Fish made it to Challis this fall, so if we have some warm late winter days we could have fish in the upper water in March next year. We have committed to the Steelhead lodge again this year, so if you are interested in particular dates, give us a call so you don’t miss out. You can book at 208-726-1706 or call my cell at 208-720-3813.
Closing Notes
A trip to the Snake right now with the shotgun for ducks or quail and the fly rod for the Malad or Niagra Springs would be a good get away. Temperatures in the Hagerman area are much warmer than in the Valley, and rising fish to baetis are not uncommon.
Fly tying classes begin in January, stop and and sign up if you are looking for a new addition to your fishing experience. We can also help if you need a Christmas gift for you fishing partner or friend, or if you would like to sign up for our Steelhead lodge or Yellowstone trips.
Fish far and fine,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters