“Officially it was almost spring, but someone had forgotten to pass the news on to winter.” ~Robert Harris
Winter has been very, very good to the Wood River Valley. The snow water equivalency for the Wood River drainage is currently at 134% of average and climbing. The mountains hold a promise of full reservoirs and healthy river flows for the summer ahead. Spring, please pass the word on to summer not to come too quickly.
Silver Creek
The Creek has new regulations and is providing a nice option for anglers this March. As of the new year, the catch-and-release season will be lengthened to March 31 on two sections (between Highway 93 upstream to the bridge near milepost 187.2 on Highway 20) and implement a catch-and-release season from December 1 through March 31 on one section (bridge near milepost 187.2 on Highway 20 upstream to Kilpatrick Bridge). While the Nature Conservancy remains closed until opening day, these new regulations will keep the lower Creek open and provide great fishing. Tubing in Kilpatrick Pond on warm days is now an option as well, but not for the easily chilled; be sure to dress in lots of base layers and midweight fleece from SIMMS or Patagonia. And bring a thermos full of something hot, or a portable hot tub for when the fishing is done.
Big Wood
The Wood is fishing fantastic right now! The only trouble is getting to the river. Fourteen feet of snow in February has made parking in the usual access areas difficult to impossible. Be creative in how you get to and from the river and you will find plenty of unpressured water. March traditionally is one of the better dry fly months on the Wood, with incredible midge activity. Of course, so much depends on the weather this time of year, but if you hit the right conditions, it can be spectacular. And as always, if the dry fly fishing is off, the nymphing is always good. If you do find rising fish in the afternoon be sure to have a good selection of midge patterns and use light tippet in 6 or 6.5X. These fish can get selective, especially in those areas where they get some pressure. When fishing deep, use a double rig with something ugly like a Nemic Stone or a large King Prince Nymph followed by a smaller nymph like a DB Zebra midge, Bishop’s Dynamite, Rainbow Warrior, or a Perdigon. A simple rig with a high-vis dry and a trailing small nymph is very effective as well when fishing seams and shallow riffles.
The Lost Below Mackay
This river can be incredible in March as the increased daylight triggers amazing afternoon hatches of both the Midge and Baetis. It is certainly worth the drive time through Crater of the Moon, Arco, and up to Mackay. When nymphing, I recommend small dark nymphs in size 16-20 and a small indicator or high visibility dry may be all you need. For deeper runs, try a double nymph rig with an indicator or Euro style. For dries have a good supply of small midge and Baetis in size 18 to 24. Keep in mind these fish tend to spawn early, so please be aware of where you walk and leave the spawning trout to their business.
South Fork of the Boise
The snow levels have been low making the canyon road rather treacherous. If you go, bring your 4X4, chains, and all the other necessitates in case you get stuck. The bottom line, March can be some of the best fishing of the year on this tailwater fishery. Plan on nymphing the seams and tail outs, with the chance of finding some surface feeders once the sun has warmed the water enough to get the midge and Baetis active. If you are having trouble with the trout, the white fish should keep you entertained.
The Salmon
Not much to report in this department yet; however, the action should pick up with the influx of melted snow into the river and as we head into the end of the month. There is no time like the present to get ready, so come on in and let us help you get set up. We have a complete selection of steelhead flies and Scandi and Skagit style lines.
Silver Creek Flies: DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Beaded and Non-Beaded Pheasant Tails | Iron Lotus | Bouface Leech | Pine Squirrel Leech | Balanced Leech
Big Wood, Big Lost: Trailing Shuck Midge | Griffiths Gnats | Parachute Midge | Iron Lotus | SRS Bullet French Nymph | Duracell Jig 12-18 | Jake’s Perdigon 14-18 | Tungsten Nemec Stone | Pat’s Rubber Legs | Stone Daddy 8 | Bishop’s Dynamite | DB Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | King Prince
South Fork of the Boise Flies: Iron Lotus | Adult Midge | Pat’s Stone | Zebra Midge | Caddis Larva | Flash Back Pheasant tails | King Prince | Streamers |
| Silver Creek Big Wood The Big Lost South Fork of the Boise |
120 cfs 140 cfs 137 cfs 299 cfs |
