Synopsis

The holiday season is upon us and it looks like we are entering an extended period of on and off wintery weather. In the short term, expect to see mostly cloudy skies and periods of snowfall. As a result, temperatures should be moderate, leading to more productive fishing and small emergences of Midges throughout our local systems. So bundle up in your winter weather clothing and take advantage of the open streams under our snowy skies.

The Big Wood, The Big Lost, and The South Fork of the Boise Rivers

Our local freestones and tail waters have undergone their transformation from fall to winter fisheries. The coldest days will bring ice flows which can make fly fishing difficult, if not impossible; however, even the coldest mornings usually give way to warmer afternoons as the solar radiation releases our rivers from the frigid grip of winter. During these warmer diurnal periods, the Midge will be the entomological star of the show. Otherwise known as the Snowfly, Midges can vary in size from minute to small (generally size 20-28).

Most often, the surface feeding patterns of winter fish will become present in the afternoons when the river temperatures are the warmest. Back eddies and slow water are often winter hot spots as rainbows will congregate in the deeper pools and runs where they can expend the least amount of energy while acquiring the greatest amount of protein. Fishing from pocket to pocket looking for high concentrations of fish is a productive way to approach the river. It is not uncommon to spend an hour or more in each of the larger holes as the conglomerations of fish can be significant.

Subsurface fishing tends to be the most effective method of trout fishing during the winter months. Many Midge imitations can be effective, such as Brassies in black, copper and red as well as midge pupa patterns in black, grey and red. Nymphing will also result in hookups if using Prince Nymphs, Flashback Pheasant Tails and Copper Johns in red, copper, silver, green and purple in sizes 14-18. Cranefly pupas such as Chamois are also effective along with Philo Betos, Woolly Buggers in green, black and brown and various streamers. Double nymph or nymph/midge pupa combinations in tandem with a strike indicator tend to be the most commonly used tackle selection. Since the trout will be lethargic due to the cold weather, light tippet (6X) is recommended when presenting these tiny insects, even the largest of fish will come to hand fairly quickly albeit on the lightest of line. It is important when playing fish in the depths of winter that great care is given to their release. It is best not to remove them from the water if at all possible and to handle them gently and briefly.

Silver Creek

The Creek will also offer good Midge fishing and due to its lower elevation, generally will offer slightly warmer air and water temperatures. However, if you drive south to fish, do remember that the Silver Creek Preserve is closed until the end of May. Try fishing the section north of Highway 20 where streamers and Woolly Buggers will be the most effective. Wade down the middle of the river, cast to the banks in a quartering-down fashion and strip your big bugs back toward you with short, quick motions as they swing to the center of the stream. Most large trout (rainbows and browns) will be hunkered down near or under the undercut banks and will be enticed to strike with a splashy presentation and the stripping of the fly. Although less subtle than dry fly presentations, streamer fishing in the abovementioned manner can lead to some remarkably aggressive strikes and massive wild fish!

Synopsis

Sun Valley has something to offer every outdoorsman – and now that Bald Mountain is open for skiing you can hit the slopes for some fresh groomers in the morning and then spend the afternoon casting for trout. What a delight! Temperatures over the next week or so are expected to be in the teens at night and in the thirties during the day, offering the determined angler some excellent opportunities to hook fish.

Big Wood River

The Big Wood River (198cfs) should offer decent fishing over the next couple of weeks. Midges will be the most prevalent on sunny days and Baetis will take the forefront on the cloudier days. Griffith’s Gnats, Renegades, Snowfly patterns, even male Trico imitations (size 20-24) will get the job done. Although emergences may offer somewhat limited numbers of insects, fish will look to the surface on warmer afternoons. For subsurface fishing, try Midge Pupae, Brassies, Flashback Pheasant Tails in sizes 18-24 and Cranefly Pupae in size 10-14. Continue covering large stretches of water to increase your odds of hooking up with a fish as you will find fish beginning to congregate in the deeper pools as their winter lethargy kicks in.

Silver Creek

Midges and Baetis will also be the most abundant bug on the Creek, particularly in the afternoon. As always, a long leader (12-15 feet in length) and light tippet (6X), is the best tackle setup for these wily Rainbows and Browns. The downstream presentation gives the angler the best chance at fooling these fish and a slow wading approach increases your odds of presenting flies to unsuspecting trout. The Silver Creek Preserve is closed to fishing, but downstream from Highway 20 to the Picabo Bridge (with access points at Point of Rocks, The Willows (Silver Creek West) and Highway 20) will remain open until the end of February. Try wading down the middle of the Creek in the shallower sections and throw Woolly Buggers or streamers toward both banks. Cast to the left bank, almost onto the grass, and strip your pattern back toward you as it swings to the middle of the river. Take a step or two, change your focus to the right bank and repeat. By “walking the dog” downstream, large fish can be enticed to strike from their undercut lairs.

Big Lost River

The Lost (82 cfs) can fish very well during the winter months. Any of your favorite midge patterns will work on the surface and Blue Winged Olives (sizes 16-20) can also be productive during the warmer hours of the day. Underwater, use Midge Pupae, Brassies in copper and red (size 18-22) as well as mayfly nymphs such as Pheasant Tails or Prince Nymphs (sizes 16-20). Double nymph/pupae arrangements with the aid of a strike indicator can be a winning combination for hooking fish. Trail Creek Road is now closed so you will have to make the journey through Arco, but once you arrive at The Lost you will find a remarkable lack of anglers throughout the winter.

South Fork of the Boise

The South Fork of the Boise is flowing at 304cfs and will provide decent fishing with the abovementioned Baetis and Midge imitations. Underneath, in addition to your favorite midge nymphs, try throwing San Juan Worms, streamers, Woolly Buggers and Philo Betos. Fish are likely to congregate closer to the dam and in deeper pockets so you may wish to use splitshot in order to get your double nymph rigs down to the bottom of the river.

Salmon River

The Salmon will continue to fish slowly until the return of the Steelhead in March and April. But, if you are in the area and dying to fish, try large nymphs such as King Princes, Prince Nymphs, Stonefly Nymphs, Caddis Pupae (sizes 10-16) and streamers or Woolly Buggers. Whitefish make up the majority of fish being caught on this beautiful river but monster Bull Trout do lurk in the deeper holes and runs as well as the occasional Rainbow and Cutthroat.