It was only a matter of days following the last report that most of our area rivers froze up to the point where they weren’t fishable. In fact I have not seen, nor spoke to one single person that has cast a line in the last two weeks! With the holidays upon us, our low pressure patterns have returned and temperatures are beginning to warm slightly. The ice is letting go in many places and one thing is for certain, when we get an end to these major cold snaps, the fish go crazy! If there was ever a time period to be on the water it is right about now. Keep your eyes on the temperatures during the daytime and if you see temps in the freezing range or higher, you are going to be in for one fantastic day of fly fishing.

Silver Creek

The Nature Conservancy water are CLOSED to fishing. Anglers that want to check out spring creek fishing in winter can still explore below the Highway 20 bridge – through the Willows and Point of Rocks. The Creek below the Highway 20 bridge is open to fishing, but there has been major ice over on vast sections of the Creek in this area. The fish will be fine as they sit in the deep holes, and if we get a thaw and the ice breaks the fishing should be productive with streamers a few days after this. This area may be better left for a little bit later in the season, but if you have some snow shoes and a need to be alone for awhile it could be worth checking out if the ice is gone. If you’re in the area, stay off the ice, and keep pets off of it to. This is not like ice-over on a lake, the currents keep the ice thin and unpredictable, and one misstep could be big trouble. The closer to Highway 20 you are, the less ice you will encounter and there is currently some fishable water in this area. If you go, fish streamers, unweighted on a tight line swing.

Big Wood River

The Wood is starting to shed most of its ice as we slowly warm up from three weeks of sub-zero nighttime temperatures. As daytime temps continue to climb, the fishing should get extremely good. Focus your time on the afternoon hours and fish mid-valley between Hailey and Ketchum. Big Brassies are a good bet in Copper, Green and Red. Smaller midge patterns like Zebra and Disco Midges will work fine, but are probably unnecessary as fish are most likely going to strike whatever is put right in front of them. Black backed Hares Ears are also a great winter fly as are Chamois Flies and Prince Nymphs. If fishing is slow try streamers in olive colors with a single split shot placed right at the eye of the hook. Slow moving, waist deep water is where the fish will be actively feeding.

With warmer days we should also begin to see some limited surface activity as Midge hatches really kick into gear for the rest of the winter season. If you see fish taking flies on the surface, use Griffiths Gnats and any Trailing Shuck Midge pattern you can find. It is best to fish these in tandem as you will see the Gnat silhouetted against the glare and then simply set the hook on any fish rising near enough to it, to take the smaller trailing fly.

WATER CONDITIONS
Basin Precip. Averages
Salmon – 93%
Big Wood – 96%
Little Wood – 95%
Big Lost – 91%
Henry’s Fork – 108%

We are in our first real cold snap of the winter, which has followed our first real snow fall of the winter. The rivers are picture perfect settings for winter fishing, but you better be prepared for the temperatures. The fishing is quite good for a few hours everyday, as the fish have to eat no matter the temperature. Make sure your waders are free of leaks, have fingerless gloves, a stocking hat, a neck gator, thermal clothing and a windbreaker. The fishing remains primarily nymphing and streamer fishing, but with a huge lack of other anglers on the water the fish are responding well to small nymphs fished in slow water. Don’t forget, Silver Creek Outfitters continues to run our guide service throughout the winter months!

Silver Creek

The Nature Conservancy water are CLOSED to fishing. Anglers that want to check out spring creek fishing in winter can still explore below the Highway 20 bridge – through the Willows and Point of Rocks. This fishing will pick up as we move later into winter, but right now there are still Brown Trout looking to fatten back up after the fall spawning season. These fish are very eager to take well placed streamer flies fished close to the bank. Fish your flies non-weighted on a tight line swing, about 2 to 4 inches under the surface and then watch for the boil of water when the fish strikes. This is as cool and fun as streamer fishing gets! Don’t forget to use a minimum of 3X tippet or even heavier. Leader shy is not an issue when streamer fishing. It is also a good idea to tie the fly on using a loop to allow the fly as much freedom of movement as possible.

Big Wood River

The Wood is the fishery of choice these days. Fishing is very good with small nymphs like Zebra Midges and size 20 Flashback Pheasant Tails. The fishing is limited to the middle of the day, from about 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Before and after the fish may be biting, but so is the cold! The fish are really concentrating into the winter holding water. Try to locate slow, but moving water that is at least knee deep or better, and fish to the softer side of the main currents. This means if you see the traditional foam line that you normally cast into, the water on the wider side of that line (between the foam line and the widest bank) is where the fish should be holding. Our fresh snow fall means it is now easy to see where other anglers have been, and where no one has been at all. The fishing pressure, now that skiing has started in at a minimum, so fish are getting a nice break and are eager to take what is offered up. By the time the temperatures warm up closer to the forty degree mark in a few weeks, we should start seeing fish rise to take the midges off the surface, for now though, don’t count on surface action with any consistency.

If the fishing becomes very, very slow, than it is time to think about fishing the Wood River Sculpin imitations. Philo Beto is a valley favorite and will draw strikes when absolutely nothing else is working. A single small split shot placed right above the eye of the hook is all the weight you need when fishing the slow winter water.

Keep in mind, when fishing in these colder than normal temperatures, to try and fish the softest rod you own to prevent rods from breaking under the strain of fighting fish. This means fish a Winston if you have one, and think about asking Santa for one if you don’t. They are great winter rods and will serve you well on Silver Creek during the main summer season. Keep in mind also, that you need to land the fish as quickly as you can in these cold conditions, and DO NOT take the fish out of the water. Use a Ketchum Release tool or some hemostats to dislodge your barbless hooks while the fish is still under the surface. Enjoy your solitude on the stream and enjoy fishing under the white of winter!

Lost River

The Lost will fish well with nymphs in this tailwater, but driving the highway through Arco is the only access to the river. Call the Wagon Wheel, book a room and fish a couple of days to make the trip worth while. Try fishing Brassies, Prince Nymphs and Zug Bug.

South Fork of the Boise

Midges and infrequent Baetis hatches are the name of the game on the South Fork. Nymphing is the primary tactic with Midge patterns and Pheasant Tails being good choices. Fish shallow riffles and slow moving foam lines. The more structure like boulders you fish around the better.

WATER CONDITIONS
Basin Precip. Averages
Salmon – 116%
Big Wood – 120%
Little Wood – 114%
Big Lost – 111%
Henry’s Fork – 135%

Good news and bad in the fishing report this week. The bad news is, with winter approaching and not a great degree of fishing change through the winter we will be going to a bimonthly report. The good news is the fishing report will be including a few additional reports from our favorite lodges as they begin their prime seasons. Included from time to time will be reports from lodges in the Bahamas, Argentina, the Turks and Caicos and Mexico. We hope you continue to enjoy the local report and also like finding out what is happening in warmer climates as well!

Silver Creek

There is only a week left before the Nature Conservancy closes down the fishing on the upper stretches of the Creek this winter. No worries though as the lower sections below highway twenty remain open through February. If you are going to get your last licks in on the Conservancy waters this week, plan on finding late afternoon midge activity. There is also a small chance to find Baetis on the water, but only if it gets warm enough, calm enough and with a little cloud cover. If you just can’t find working fish on the moving water, then try sight nymphing in the sloughs.

Big Wood River

This really is a great time of year to be on the Wood. The river is rarely fished these days and some decent surface Midge activity is being reported. With a forecast for bright skies and cold days, most of the fishing is going to be found subsurface in the coming weeks. Expect the fish to begin gathering in their favorite winter runs and you can make the assumption when you catch one, that if there is one, there are more than likely many others in and around the same spot you hooked the first one. Prince Nymphs, Zug Bugs, Zebra Midges, black backed Hares Ears and big Brassies will all take fish.

Lost River

The Lost is fishing well with nymphs and the fish are eager to take a well presented fly. We do not recommend trying to use Trail Creek summit to get there, as it can be treacherous even if it remains open this time of the year. If you go around the long way, take a selection of Prince Nymphs, Brassies and small Midge patterns. It is often best to fish these little flies in tandem with a bigger bead head fly to make sure they get to the bottom. The bigger fly will also attract fish toward the smaller fly. They will see the big fly and investigate it, and if they refuse it, down comes the smaller and perhaps more realistic offering.

Upper Lost River and Copper Basin

If you access this body of water via the long way around through Arco, plan on spending the night in Mackay. It is a long way to go for a day of fishing. Standard bead head nymphs are all one needs in this section. Once the heavy snow storms of winter reach us, the river will be essentially closed as the access will be limited to four wheel drive, snow shoes and a lot of effort, perhaps too much. In fact this will be the last report on this area until opening day next season which falls on May 27th.

Little Wood River

The Little Wood is still providing nymphing opportunity for those anglers looking for out of the way fishing and productive fishing. The fish may be somewhat smaller but active in the warmer desert sections. There should also be a nice bunch of Brown Trout coming off of their spawn which will trigger a feeding response to bulk back up before the firm grip of winter sets in upon them.

South Fork of the Boise

It is nymphing season on the South Fork until the first real Midge hatches of the winter begin. Big Prince Nymphs and Zug Bugs are good choices as well as oversized Brassies to get the fishes attention. The South Fork is a tail water with little temperature fluctuation so expect to find fish well spread out in the riffles and pools throughout the winter months.

WATER CONDITIONS
Basin Precip. Averages
Salmon – 124%
Big Wood – 117%
Little Wood – 98%
Big Lost – 103%
Henry’s Fork – 138%

Mostly cold temperatures and a little more snow is in the forecast for the coming week. With the snow comes a falling barometer, which generally means active fish. Given the lack of anglers on the waters these days, the need for fish to feed before the winter temperatures get very cold and relatively comfortable conditions, the fishing should be outstanding in the coming week or two. Most action will be found subsurface, but with few anglers out and about a simple nymph set up under a strike indicator can be run quickly through one hole after the next, providing great mid-day action!

Silver Creek

Only a few weeks left to fish the upstream waters on Silver Creek. Calm days are still providing a minimal amount of insects and rising fish. This is a good time of year to split time between the Sloughs and the river itself. If you arrive at the Creek and nothing is happening on the surface, head over to Sullivan’s Slough or the Lower Slough and try to sight nymph these big rainbows. Well tied Callibaetis imitations pulled slowly through the water can provide great action. Remember to try and target the fish you see moving, as they are true eaters. The stationary fish are significantly less inclined to follow a moving target. If you notice the wind down, and the air temperatures warming slightly you may want to check back in on the river. Baetis and Midges are still the name of the game. Enjoy the quiet of the late fall.

Big Wood River

The Wood is fishing quite well with nymphs and a huge lack of anglers means you can move quickly through one run after the next. Fish general nymph patterns under a strike indicator and stay on the move. Two or three cast in any one lane is plenty. Cover a run quickly, but thoroughly and move on. A persons catch rate is going to be dictated by the amount of water covered. Midge imitations as well as basics like Hare’s Ears, A.P. Nymphs and Zug Bugs will all take fish. Fly fishing is a confidence game, so this time of year, fish the nymph you have the most confidence in and enjoy each and every hook up.

Lost River

With the snow in the high country the Lost will become abandoned by all but the most dedicated fly anglers. Driving over the pass is not recommended, even if it were to clear of snow, as one quick storm can leave you stuck in the middle of a nowhere and at best driving home the long way through Arco. If you chose to go, take the highway around from the South and be sure to stop at Grandpas BBQ in Arco on the way back. More than one angler has found this part of the trip worth the drive alone! Nymphing the deep spots with double nymph rigs is the most common approach to this river this time of the year. On cloudy days, expect the trout to move into slightly shallower water.

Upper Lost River and Copper Basin

No real reports on this area with the arrival of winter in the high country. Much of the downstream water may still be accessed via the Mackay route, but it is a long drive and should be planned into a multi-day outing should one feel very adventurous. The Wagon Wheel in Mackay is a nice little hotel and a good alternative to cold weather camping.

Little Wood River

The Little Wood is not being fished by anyone we know of. Nymphing the desert, or upstream areas of the river can be productive for smaller trout, but good numbers of fish should be readily available to fisherman that want to take advantage of a little river with very little fishing pressure on it.

South Fork of the Boise

Sparse Baetis hatches and growing Midge activity are the name of the game on the South Fork. Small Brassies, Pheasant Tails and Zebra Midges will take fish, but expect a few nice sized specimens through the course of a day rather than large numbers of fish.

WATER CONDITIONS
Basin Precip. Averages
Salmon – 153%
Big Wood – 143%
Little Wood – 125%
Big Lost – 125%
Henry’s Fork – 168%

Despite winter like weather last week the fishing stayed relatively productive. We are in for more winter weather this week and it should be a bit more extreme. While we transition into the quietude of November anglers will be able to find more elbow room and deserted waters than any other time of the year when our streams are open. With winter coming on fast the fish will remain very active looking to fatten up and eat what is available to them. Dry fly activity may dwindle to almost nothing, but the fish should lose most of their inhibitions when looking at nymphs. Fishing the heart of most pools with standard subsurface patterns and a few newer ones as well, will provide anglers with plenty of action.

Silver Creek

The Creek is still holding a few days of quality dry fly fishing, but they will be dulled out with the weather patterns. We are due for a string of overcast days, and if an angler can find a calm one in the afternoon expect to see the last of the Baetis, and decent Midge activity. Ants and Beetles are still going to take fish, although it’s better to show them to rising targets as apposed to searching with them. Although November isn’t considered the “prime” season on the Creek it is certainly a favorite month for many anglers. The Creek in the late fall is unique in that it is very quite. Even the birds have gone, or are settling in for winter. Often the loudest sounds you hear are distant Geese and even the sound of the water washing by the dying grasses and weed beds. The best fishing days may be very limited, but often, on the rare November day, Silver Creek will explode with insects, as if they seemingly know it’s now or never. If you can catch one of these days, all the joy of fishing the long rod will be yours for a condensed moment in time, and although the time frame may be short, the memory will live longer than the trout you release that day.

Big Wood River

The Wood is full of fish looking to fatten up before the first big storms of winter! Nymphs are the fly of choice, although a few big fish can still be tempted to the surface with large Wulff patterns. Nymph anglers need to concentrate on the parts of the runs that provide enough current to carry food to the fish, but not so strong the fish are burning a lot of calories. Remember, they are trying to put on fat layers and they will feed accordingly. This generally means concentrating ones efforts on the water just below the main rapid at the head of a run. Midge activity is still strong both on the surface late in the day, and even better subsurface at any time. Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Zebra Midges, Prince Nymphs, and Cased Caddis imitations will all work well. Take along a hat and some fingerless gloves and enjoy this month as long stretches of water are available to anglers willing to wet a line under winter skies.

Lost River

The Lost is still fishing very well below the dam in Mackay, as the low flows provide both fish and fisherman a nice reprieve from the constantly high flows during the bulk of this summers season. Nymphing with long leaders and light tippets is the best bet. Start with a twelve foot leader tapered to 5X and a small strike indicator. Fish a bead head nymph in tandem with a non beaded nymph and make sure you get it down to the fishes level. Fishing these lighter tippets, may mean fishing a softer rod in order to achieve the necessary flex to land big fish. This flex in the rod acts as a shock absorber, thus protecting tippets from breaking better than a quick action rod might. The Winston Rod Company is well known for making rods that fit this qualification.

Upper Lost River and Copper Basin

Any day in the next few weeks may represent the last opportunity an angler has to get over the hill and fish this system without having to drive all the way around through Mackay to get there. Once the snow falls and closes Trail Creek Summit for the year, most anglers call it a season up top. So if you have been putting off going up there this season, do it now! The fishing is better lower in the system and very basic nymphing techniques will take most of them. If you get a warmer than ordinary day for November, don’t hesitate to cast attractor patterns as well. If you get up there and the snow starts coming down hard, your safest bet will be to reel up and head back down to the valley before the road gets bad. There are still many good days left to get in on this great fishing, but be careful, keep an eye on the weather forecast, and enjoy complete “pre-winter” solitude and great action.

Little Wood River

The Little Wood is still fishing well with nymph set ups and attractor patterns. Easy wading, plenty of access and no anglers as far as the eye can see, add up to a great fishing experience. In fact if you can get a warm day and want to teach a friend or family member to fly fish, this would be a great piece of water and a great time of year to do it.

South Fork of the Boise

This lower altitude river may be a great alternative to our closer to town fisheries if the weather turns into full blown winter. This desert tail water can provide nice baetis hatches and Midge activity all the way up to Thanksgiving Day. A weekday on the river can also provide all the room an angler desires, as more hunters are seen using the area then fishermen these days. Nymphing with small flies in the middle of big riffles is the alternative when the fish aren’t rising.

WATER CONDITIONS
Basin Precip. Averages
Salmon – 92%
Big Wood – 72%
Little Wood – 66%
Big Lost – 70%
Henry’s Fork – 114%