“The trout do not rise in the cemetery, so you better do your fishing while you are still able.” ~ Sparse Grey Hackle
Just don’t do it on the Wood or the South Fork of the Boise. Like Silver Creek, these rivers are now closed for the season. However, there are still plenty of excellent options for an angler willing to spend a bit of time behind a windshield. If you do find your self with a spot of time away from the water, please take the following survey concerning Blaine County’s Comprehensive Plan for recreation: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/recreate5b.
THE SALMON RIVER
Last weeks warm weather brought the river up again, but a cooling trend for the weeks ahead should bring it back down. Close to 1,500 fish have made their way to the Sawtooth Hatchery and over the next few weeks more fish should be making their way up river. If you go, focus your attention on the river above Stanley at this time as a bulk of the early run off is coming in from the tributaries down river. Nymphing is the most effective method, but traditional spey/swinging methods are catching fish as well. Here is a list of the best flies no matter what technique you fish: Hot Head Marabou Jig size 2, Duddle’s Steelhead Candy size 4, Tungsten Pheasant Tail Flashback size 6 and 8, Tungsten Peck’s Flashback size 6 and 8, Starlite Leech size 2, Low Water Green Butt Skunk size 6, Undertaker size 6. Come on by the shop for the latest on fish counts and water clarity and check out our fantastic fly selection.
BIG LOST BELOW MACKAY
With the cooler weather and potentially more snow in the forecast, don’t expect Trail Creek Pass to open until late April or early May. Still, this time of year the fishing can be fantastic on the Lost. Definitely worth the two hour drive from Ketchum, through Craters of the Moon, to Arco, and up to Mackay. This is a classic tailwater, so you can expect classic tailwater hatches: Baetis and Midge. The midge are the most prolific hatching throughout the day with an insurgence of Baetis as the day warms up. For flies, bring the same assortment of midge and Baetis dries and nymphs you might use on the Creek or the Wood. Dry dropper rigs with a trailing Zebra Midge, Brassies, or an attractor nymphs like Rainbow Warriors or Bishop’s Dynamite in size 16 to 22 are very effective. Many fish are on redds spawning in the shallow water. Please leave these fish alone and watch your step.
LOCAL STILLWATERS
With many of our local river closed for the season, it is time to find some alternatives. Why not go stillwater fishing? In fact, spring fishing on our local reservoirs can produce the biggest fish of the year. Check out Magic, Little Wood, or Mackay reservoirs either from shore, float tube, or a boat. Be prepared for strong spring winds and always have a whistle and a PDF if fishing from a tube or a boat. We have a great selection of stillwater specific flies that are perfect for suspending from an indicator or pulling on a sinking line.
THE BIG WOOD / SOUTH FORK OF THE BOISE / SILVER CREEK
TThese waters are closed until May 23rd.
WATER FLOWS – April 1st
| Salmon River The Big Lost |
1430 cfs 93 cfs |
