"Never make predictions, especially about the future." ~ Casey Stengel The Big Wood Basin snow water equivalent is at 70% of normal as of March 16th. For those already looking ahead to summer, all signs are pointing to an early and moderate run off and a good early fishing season on our local waters. In the meanwhile, the steelhead are…
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The steelhead coming up river from the Pacific Ocean to the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery have to travel nearly 1000 miles and pass over 8 dams. And this year, they are early to the dance! Typically these fish begin to show towards the end of March in the stretch of the Salmon between Stanley and Challis with the season closing the…
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"Wet boots are a way of life." ~ Austin McPherson March is a great month to get your boots wet. While the Creek is now closed, the Wood is just hitting its late winter, early spring stride. Our area tailwaters, the Lost and the South Fork of the Boise, also fish fantastic in March. And it won't be long now…
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"It is the constant--or inconstant--change, the infinite variety in fly-fishing that binds us fast. It is impossible to grow weary of a sport that is never the same on any two days of the year. " --Theodore Gordan The Winter Midge activity keeps gaining momentum and surface feeding trout can be found throughout all our rivers. And with each passing…
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"To go fishing is the chance to wash one's soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of sun on blue water. It brings meekness and inspiration from the decency of nature, charity toward tackle-makers, patience toward fish, a mockery of profits and egos, a quieting of hate, a rejoicing that you do not…
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"...knowing a river intimately is a large part of the joy of fly >fishing." - Roderick Haig-Brown To know a river intimately, one must experience it in all of its seasons. Of course, most anglers know the more popular seasons, summer and fall, when our local rivers are tricked with glamorous hatches and idyllic conditions. But those who know a…
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"Many of us probably would be better fishermen if we did not spend so much time watching and waiting for the world to become perfect." -Norman Maclean With the great ski conditions throughout December, the rivers have been receiving light angler pressure. And January is traditionally a month when anglers hibernate and tie flies for the upcoming season. These anglers…
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"When we fish, we are awake. We are attuned to the environment, to the world, to the reverence and wonder of life." -Dan Baughman 'Tis the season for making resolutions. This year make a resolution to fish more. For it is in the pursuit, the act of angling, that we find humility. SILVER CREEK Remember, this time of year…
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"There is a certain something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind."- Washington Irving Life seems to accelerate during the holidays. It is easy to be overwhelmed while balancing work, travel, shopping, and cheer. I have a remedy: notch out a chunk of time, grab some warm fly fishing garb, hire a guide, and head to…
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“What a severe yet master artist old Winter is.... No longer the canvas and the pigments, but the marble and the chisel." -John Burroughs The light in winter is a challenge for the fly fisher. Shorter days and the low angle of the sun create tough light conditions with heavy glare making it difficult to read the water, see the…
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"Approach high probability areas the same as you would if you see a steady surface feeder-assume you’re getting a subsurface refusal and begin to change tactics as you would to a rising fish." – George Daniel Sound advice as you search for soft holding water during high flows. When you do find it, fish it with the confidence that the…
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"They are where they are and they ain't where they ain’t." – Brett Wilson, SCO Fishing Guide With the dropping flows and the transformative impact of a high spring runoff, the rivers are new every day. Familiar runs have been changed and new buckets and channels have been carved and molded. The trout will instruct the angler where they are…
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