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“They both listened silently to the water, which to them was not just water, but the voice of life, the voice of Being, the voice of perpetual Becoming.”

– Hermann Hesse

April has been a good month for moisture around the valley and the next ten days also promise more cool, wet weather. The rain dance worked! While this is certainly good news, it is still not enough to quell the drought. The extended forecast for spring in our region calls for warmer and drier than average weather conditions. If this comes to fruition, the rest of the low altitude snow will run off in early May and the high altitude snow will come down around opening weekend. In the meanwhile, keep listening to the water.

Big Wood / Silver Creek / South Fork of the Boise
Closed until opening day, Saturday, May 28th.

The Lost Below Mackay
This is a great spring fishery and unlike the Wood, the South Fork, and the Creek, it is open year round. Currently the flows are holding at around 84 CFS, but typically they turn the water up as we near May. So before you go, check the flows. The fishing can be very good in late April and May. Of course, this time of year it is not unusual to see fish on redds, so watch your step and leave these fish alone. Bugwise, be prepared for prolific midge activity with a few Baetis in the mix.

The Salmon
According to the most recent update on the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery Facebook page, the Pahsimeroi Hatchery has trapped 1,617, and the Sawtooth Hatchery has trapped 1,222 adipose-clipped steelhead. The cooler weather should keep the upper river relatively clear until the end of the month. Remember, the Steelhead season on the Upper Salmon closes on April 30th.

Stillwater
The ice is thawing on many of the local reservoirs and they will be worth a visit over the next few weeks. Mackay, the Little Wood, and Magic should all be on your radar. All can be fished either from the bank or from a float tube. If you do decide to tube, please be aware that spring winds can be fierce. As for techniques, try pulling a team of small leech patterns in black, brown, or olive on an intermediate or type 3 or 5 sinking line. Often spring trout feed on Daphnia, aka freshwater plankton, and a leech is a welcome meal. Also, suspending a series of nymphs or chironomids at the right depth can also be effective. Come on by the shop and we can set you up.

Big Lost Flies: Baetis | Midge | Sexy Walts | Bullet French Nymph | Lite Brite Perdigons | Pheasant Tail | Bishop’s Dynamite | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Pat’s Rubber Legs

Salmon River Flies: Egg Patterns | Streamers | Pat’s Rubber Leg Stone | Prince Nymphs | Squirmy Worm

Stillwater Flies: Balance Leeches | Sheep Creek Special | Woolly Buggers | Seal Buggers | Chironomids |  Damsel Nymphs | Prince Nymphs

 

The Big Lost 86.2 cfs
Salmon River 1020 cfs