We have a little over a month until many of our local rivers, including the Big Wood and Silver Creek, reopen (May 25th) and as is the tradition of fisherman over the ages, I am going to prognosticate about the fishing conditions on the horizon. For those of you making summer fishing plans, please note that Mother Nature can be…
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To allow the wild rainbows time to spawn in peace, the Wood, the South Fork of the Boise and all their tributaries are now closed, but will reopen, along with Silver Creek, on May 25th. In the meanwhile, there still are plenty of fishing opportunities for those willing to travel outside the Wood River Valley. In fact, April offers a…
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The fly fishing equivalent of March Madness has begun...Midge Madness. The Spring Midge are hatching with consistency due to the recent warming trend and the trout are in a full court press intercepting these bugs in every stage. And with the Wood and the South Fork closing at the end of the month, this means it is time to get…
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The vernal equinox is looming. It won't be long before the length of daylight hours over take the night. More daylight means simply more time to fish and March in the Wood River Valley is a fisherman's delight. Silver Creek may be closed for the season but the best fishing of the winter into spring season on the Wood, the…
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I was strolling across the River Run walking bridge after a day of skiing and, as always, I stopped to check the water and see if I could spot a trout or two. All through the cold snap of January and into early February I hadn't seen a single fish in the soft seam on the right bank as you…
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We are officially half way through winter. The days are getting longer and the sun is getting higher in the sky. More solar heating is a good thing for fishing and February and March can offer the best fishing opportunities of the winter season. The winter midge action on all our fisheries should continue to increase in productivity and more…
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Due to the high pressure which has dominated the weather pattern in the Pacific Northwest for the last two weeks, most of the waters below 5000 feet are frigid. Fortunately for us, we are mostly above the bitter cold inversion in the Wood River Valley and will have relatively pleasant day time highs at or near freezing temps. We have…
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People are often surprised to hear how good the fly fishing is in the winter time. The key is knowing the right type of water to focus your angling attention. Don't waste your time fishing the fast water of summer. Instead focus on the slow water where the fish will concentrate to conserve their energy during the cold months of…
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Winter is the devout anglers secret season. It is not for everyone. But for those willing to endure the cold, a wonderful world of solitude awaits. My approach to fly fishing of late is embodied in the Transcendental doctrine of simplicity. My minimalistic approach to a day of winter angling involves only a few flys and a Tenkara rod. For…
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The best gift you can give this holiday season, to your loved ones or yourself, is some time on the water plying for trout with a fly. December is a magical time to go fly fishing; there is a serenity that can only be found on the banks of a river in winter. Of course, a successful winter fly fishing…
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“A drifting fly is a test, a series of questions inscribed on the surface. It is the visual extension of our imagination, probing what can’t be seen and charting the shape of human inquisitiveness and expectancy.” – Ted Leeson After a high water spring, familiar rivers are made new. And as the water drops, each fishing excursion is an exploration,…
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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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