Week of February 3, 2010
Not much has changed from our last report, but here it is anyway. We did get a good storm two weeks ago, which put us up into the 75 to 80% snow pack level, but could use a lot more to guarantee next summer’s flows. It has been plenty cloudy this winter, but the jet stream’s split flows over the West have the storms going north and south of us. We have plenty of winter left and maybe even a wet spring like last year’s to fill reservoirs and keep water tables up.
Silver Creek
Silver Creek is flowing some silt this time of year. It always does a bit of a flush in the winter months. It will still fish with Black or Green buggers or the LRO Philo Betto streamer. Midge feeding fish are always a possibility. The Conservancy waters are closed, but it is open below the highway 26 bridge.
Carey Lake
A great place to take your kids or a beginner fly fisher at the inflow of the warm springs in the winter. A stone head prince nymph about 14 inches under an indicator is a good method, or even a decent sized popper or black foam beetle will draw strikes nearly every cast for bluegill and a few bass.
Salmon River
The Salmon River iced heavily from Stanley to Challis in December with our cold weather. It should begin to open up some with our longer days and warmer temperatures. February is not a bad month to head to Challis during a thaw and loosen up the 8 weight. There are a lot of steelhead in the system, near record numbers, 324,000 into Idaho.
Our steelhead lodge is open from March 26-April 26 this year if you are interested in a two or three day trip. Give the shop a call and we will set your dates. 208-726-1706
South Fork of the Boise
The south Fork of the Boise is a great way to feel like you went somewhere. It fishes pretty much like the Big Wood in the winter, with midge hatches and stonefly or double nymph rigs in the deep pools if there is no surface feeding. The only exception is the micro baetis that occasionally show. It is tiny, but the rainbows like it.
Yellowstone Park
Closed for fishing, but we are booking our June and September trips right now. Stop in the shop or give us a call and we will fill you in.
Big Wood River
The Big Wood is flowing it’s normal statically clear low winter flows. Fish a weighted double nymph rig, or a stone fly imitation through the deep slow pools and troughs. Be on the look out for the midge hatches mid day, which will grow stronger as the days grow longer. Zebras midges, Stalcup’s emerging midge, the LRO midge emerger fished close to the surface with an indicator fly or small indicator will trick rising trout. Long leaders and 6x or 7x tippets and steathy approaches will help keep these risers feeding and give you more than a few shots at them.
The lower Big Wood, below Magic is similar, except the flows are almost non existent. The risers are trickier than the upper river, and easier to put down. Fish the deep water with a small scud or nymph hung three to five feet under an indicator and strike any slight movement in the indiator. Access is difficult as there is quite a bit of snow and drifting.
Big Lost River
The lower Big Lost will fish the same as the upper Big Wood. Double nymph rigs and girdle bugs in the deeper pools, with a good possibility of mid day midge hatches. You also should be prepared to fish the spring baetis hatch on the lower Big Lost, as it will begin in Feb and grow stronger into the month of March.
Little Wood River (Desert)
There are no reports coming into the shop from the Little Wood. Much of the ice has gone out of it, but I would wait a couple of weeks, pick a warm sunny day, and try some streamers or large nymphs in the deep pools. It should fish fairly well this year as it had good survival over the summer, with some large browns showing during hopper season.
Closing Notes
Our new saltwater and steelhead patterns have arrived at the shop. We have a good variety of spey and switch rods in the store. If you are interested in learning how to use the two hander, we have a spot five minutes from the shop where we can show you how.
Spring Patagonia has arrived. Stop by our new location and check us out. The fly tying hut is stuffed with all you will ever need to tie your favorite patterns. Looking forward to your visit.
Our winter guide trips are having good fishing, if you want a break from Baldy.
Fish far and fine,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters