“One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.”
– Paulo Coelho
Come the end of March, the season on many of our local rivers ends. Don’t wait for the weather to be perfect. If you want to fish, do it today.
Silver Creek
The Nature Conservancy portion of Silver Creek remains closed until the end of May; however, from Kilpatrick Bridge down through Point of Rocks, the Creek is open until the end of March. On mild days, layer up with your 4 mm neoprene waders for some float tubing in the pond. You can also access the walk and wade stretch of the Creek through the Willows or Point of Rocks access. During the most pleasant time of day, a midge hatch will occur and bring trout to the surface. Otherwise, try slow swinging leeches or dead drifting small midge patterns.
Big Wood
March has arrived, but it feels a bit more like January. On days when the high goes above freezing, the fishing can be spectacular. Regardless of the outside temps, it is best to be on the water from about midday till 4 PM. And once the sun dips behind the mountains, the fishing slows considerably. For flies, carry a variety of midge patterns in sizes 16 to 24. When the surface action is on, try a double dry set up with an easy to see dry trailed by a smaller midge imitation. Once the fish wise up, try switching the small fly in this tandem rig to the non beaded brassie, which will ride just below the surface film. If you can’t find any surface activity try a dry dropper rig. Going deep in the right slow bucket with a double rig and an indicator is always worth a try.
The Big Lost
While the fish numbers have dropped from past years, you will still find certain buckets loaded with trout. You might even see some fish moving into shallow riffles to feed. Keep in mind, the bows in the Lost spawn much earlier than the other rivers in the region; leave these fish be, and be careful not to walk on redds. Once mild weather returns, you can expect some great hatch activity of both Baetis and Midge in the afternoon. The same assortment of flies you would use on the Wood will work here.
South Fork of the Boise
The South Fork, along with the Wood and the Creek, closes on the last day of March, so get out while you can. You will find midge and some Baetis hatching during the warmest part of the day with some nice trout scattered about feeding.Take your traditional tailwaters midge and Baetis patterns if you go head hunting or nymph the dancing water with stoneflies and beaded midge patterns. The South Fork is beautiful this time of year and worth the trip, but with the recent blast of winter weather the road can be treacherous. Be prepared with the proper vehicle, snow tires, and chains.
Big Wood: Midge | Perdigons | Bishop’s Dynamite | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive
Silver Creek: Midge | Bullet French Nymph | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Pine Squirrel Leech
Big Lost Flies: Midge | Perdigons | Bishop’s Dynamite | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive
South Fork of the Boise: Midge | Perdigons | Pat’s Rubber Legs
| Silver Creek | 109 cfs |
| Big Wood | 134 cfs |
| The Lost Below Mackay | 108 cfs |
| Salmon | 402 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 295 cfs |
