Week of January 2, 2010
If it were not for a lucky storm that hit us two weeks ago, we could be looking grim for our much needed summer water supply and a place for our fish to swim. It is better, but we are still only 70 to 80% of average snowpack to date, and need several big storms to catch up. There are plenty of cloudy days, but no big dumps with a split flow in the jet stream and most of our precipitation coming from the northwest, which only gives us an inch or two at a time. We need another northern California wet system to swing up and hang for a few days. Temperatures are about normal and the days are growing longer. Our winter fishing conditions have not changed much, but we are about to flip the switch, when sunny days will radiate some spring heat on our waters and the guides won’t fill with ice every six casts. Those are great days to be on the water. Not much has changed since our last report, but here it is anyway.
South Fork of the Boise
A trip to the South Fork will clear some cobwebs. Expect to see some midges and winter baetis. The baetis on the South Fork is micro compared to the lower Lost though. Tippets need to be tiny if you run into surface action. Stonefly nymphs and girdle bugs in the slow pockets or deep pools will work before the mid day hatch and after it is over.
Yellowstone Park
Closed. We are setting up our June and September trips now, if you are interested in seeing some of the West’s most spectacular scenery, wildlife, and fishing some sacred fly water.
Big Wood River
The Big Wood is statically low and clear. Stonefly nymphs and girdle bugs through the deep slow pools are still effective. You may need to fish 5X flurocarbon as some areas have been fished a bit and the trout have grown wary, or switch it up with a pair of smaller weighted nymphs, one a generic mayfly nymph and the other a caddis pupae, such as Hunter’s rock roller, would be a good choice. Expect to see some midge hatching about mid day from now through March. If the fish get up on a decent hatch you will have to change up from your dredging rig. Zebras, Stalcup’s midge emerger, the LRO midge emerger, hung from an Adams or an indicator will keep your offering close enough to the surface that you will get grabs. Just remember it is not green drake time, it sometimes takes many casts in order for the trout to pick yours from all of the drifting naturals. The best water is still between Bellevue and Ketchum. The canyon water below Magic is pretty snowed in so access is tough. It too, is best fished with midges if they are up, or micro nymphs dropped from an indicator on 6X flurocarbon in the deeper runs.
Big Lost River
The lower Lost is flowing well this winter. By mid February the days are long enough to make the drive around through Arco for a day. Expect to see some midge hatches and possibly the winter baetis. A double nymph rig in size 14 and 16 on 6X flurocarbon is my choice until you see some activity. When fish begin to bump the surface you will need to switch up and match either the midge or baetis emergence. If you want to cover both bases an unweighted size 16-18 olive pheasant tail nymph is close enough to both the baetis nymph and the midge pupae to make life easy. It is best fished into the riffles at the heads of the pools where most of the bugs are hatching from the gravels.
Little Wood River (Desert)
I would probably give the Little Wood a couple of weeks and pick a sunny day. With the warmer weather of the last couple of weeks, much of the ice is gone, it is flowing a bit dark from Silver Creek’s winter flush. A large prince nymph or girdle bug, fished into the heads of the deep pools would be my #1 offering, but bring your black and olive streamer box too.
Silver Creek
Silver Creek is flowing a bit of mud, but not enough that it won’t fish. It always flushes some silt this time of year. Streamer fish is your best bet, although you could see some midge feeders. Black buggers or the LRO Philo Betto are a good bet in the soft deep water to entice the brown that eluded you during brown drake last June.
Carey Lake
Great time for stone head princes under an indicator or a small popper for bluegill and bass at the hot springs inflow. I have not done it yet this winter, but it is an annual trek for me. Great place for a youngster or beginner to learn too! Pick a warmer sunny day, the fish don’t care.
Salmon River
No real reports on the Salmon. The cold snaps of December and early January froze much of the river from Stanley to Challis. As soon as the sun gets a bit higher, it will be worth a trip to Challis to find a bit of open water below the Pashimeroi to cast a fly. There are plenty of steelhead in the system.
We are booking steelhead trips and our lodge in Stanley right now. 324,000 steelhead made Idaho this year. It is a very large run. We are opening the lodge March 26th this year, and closing it April 26. We will fish to the end of the April, but not from the lodge. Our early season trips in late March, have been very good the past few years as the fish seem to make it further upriver with our warmer fall weather.
Closing Notes
If you haven’t seen the new shop yet, stop on in. We are at 371 North Main Steet, in Ketchum, just north of Bank of America, across from the Pioneer. Our new saltwater flies and steelhead patterns have arrived.
The Spring Patagonia order has arrived with your favorite outer wear. Check out the new Nano Puff, very lightweight and warm. We have some great socks to keep your feet toasty, Smart Wool, Teko, Dahlgren. Our Ex-O underwear and Insect Shield clothing is on sale for the next two weeks. Come stock up for the summer season.
We have a great selection of spey and switch rods, for those of you who are working into two handed casting. We can give you a quick one hour lesson, close to town. It is pretty fun, and a new challenge, just when we thought we had it all mastered. The fly tying hut is stuffed, and we would enjoy setting you up with your next fly fishing trip or project. Looking forward to your next visit.
Fish far and fine,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters