Week of January 13, 2010
After some nice fall rains and early snowfall it looked as though we would have no water issues for this year’s season, but snowfall has been meager for Idaho so far. We are at 60 to 65% in most of our local drainages right now. The weather pattern looks good when it hits the coast, but splits as it reaches Idaho and goes north and south. Let’s hope it changes soon. There has been plenty of cloudy weather, but piddly snowfall. Upside- Fishing has been good so far this winter
South Fork of the Boise
If you venture to the South Fork take a variety of offerings. Be ready to fish the micro baetis or midge hatches that bring those fish to the surface in the eddy waters and soft pool water. If you just want to relax and explore run a girdle bug or stonefly nymph through the deep pools or the rocky pocket water. A swung fly with your small spey rod can also be effective.
Yellowstone Park
Closed
Big Wood River
The Big Wood is nymphing well right now, with the beginnings of some midge hatches. Midges are beginning to show around noon and lasting an hour or so. The emergence has been heavy enough to bring fish to the surface and even make fish somewhat selective. Fish zebra midges, a Stalcup’s emerging midge, or the LRO emerging midge to the obvious feeding fish. You will probably need an indicator or an indicator fly to fish those tiny imitations effectively. When not fishing to obvious feeders, blind nymphing the deep slow runs with a stonefly imitation, girdle bug or your favorite double nymph rig on flurocarbon 4 and 5X tippets works well. Best fishing is from just before noon until 4 pm. With skiing a bit marginal, you may as well spend some time on the water. Some days the guides don’t even ice up!
Big Lost River
The Lower Big Lost is similar to the Big Wood, if you want to make the drive. A double nymph rig with 5 and 6X flurocarbon tippets fished in the slower deeper runs and into the riffles at the heads of the pools will be the most effective. Pheasant tails, bubble back emergers in size 14 and 16 as the main fly with a zebra midge dropper is one of my favorite set ups. A size 10 or 12 stonefly nymph in the soft rocky pocket water will work as well. Look for the large winter baetis as the days start to get longer. It is a wonderful hatch on the lower Lost.
Little Wood River (Desert)
No reports from the Little Wood and probably best to wait until it warms a bit more.
Silver Creek
Fishing on the Nature Conservancy waters is closed, but it is open below the Highway 26 Bridge. Although there can be some fish working midges, streamer fishing through the pools in the willows or the deeper lies on the banks and known troughs is most effective. A black, or olive bugger is a good choice. We like the LRO Philo Betto sculpin fly to entice strikes. If you did not get enough steelhead fishing last fall, swinging a fly on the Creek with your new switch rod or ten foot 5 or 6 weight you got for Christmas is a great way to get your fix. Remember in streamer fishing, “The tug is the drug.” Some very nice browns will respond to a swung presentation.
Carey Lake
Fish the warm springs inflow for bluegill and some bass with a size 12-14 prince nymph about 18 inches under an indicator. When they start to hit the indicator, switch to a foam beetle, small popper, wulff pattern or any other bushy dry in your box. Fun if you have a beginner fly fishing friend or a son or daughter trying to learn.
Salmon River
Lots of steelhead in the river, but with the zero degree weather that seems to show up every other week, there is mostly ice. Give it a month or so and it will open up enough to cast a fly.
Closing Notes
We are booking the steelhead lodge for the spring run right now. It is available from March 26 to April 26 this year. So far over 324,000 fish have come into Idaho. The largest run since the dams were constructed on the Snake. It will be a banner year. We would be glad to help you with your new 7 or 8 weight and flies to go with it. If you want to book a guide or the lodge, we book on a first come first served basis, so don’t wait too long. We are offering 6 guests at the lodge for the price of 5, if you have a group that you would like to entertain, or a get together with you fishing buddies.
If you are interested in learning how to tie flies come into the new shop to sign up. Also, remember your 2010 fishing license renewal.
Fish far and fine,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters