“There are so many things standing in my way this morning, I can hardly begin. Yet I’ve heard rumors of water. Maybe that is enough.”
– L.L. Barkat
In the midst of a holiday whirlwind, you may have lost touch with the water. Rest assured, the rumors are true.
The Big Wood
If you want to hit Baldy in the morning and fish during the afternoon, the Wood is your best option. Access is fair with most of the usual parking access relatively clear. More snow is in the forecast, so this could change. Either way, have a car with clearance and four-wheel drive and plan to walk away from the easy access points. As for fishing, nymphing is the name of the game; however, you may find surface feeders in select locations. Dry dropper rigs or double nymphs with an indicator will let you cover all depths of water. Remember, winter trout don’t like fast water, so concentrate your efforts on the slow buckets and seams. Also, winter trout need to be played and released quickly.
Silver Creek
The Nature Conservancy is closed for the season until the end of May. You can, however, fish in Kilpatrick Pond below the bridge and around the Point of Rocks BLM access until the end of March. The hatch activity is sparse; however, on cloudy, mild days you may still see some surface activity. Deep nymphing with an indicator or slow pulling leech patterns is most effective.
The Lost Below Mackay
Trail Creek Pass is closed, so you will need to go through Craters of the Moon, Arco, and up to Mackay if you wish to fish the Lost. The river is very low (59 CFS), which concentrates the trout in the deeper holding water. It will fish a lot like the Wood with your best success coming to dry dropper rigs or Euro Nymphing. There may be a small window of surface activity on cloudy, mild days.
South Fork of the Boise
There is more wet, winter weather in the forecast and this can make travel into the canyon dicey. If you go, take a 4X4 with studded snow tires, chains, as well as food and blankets. The flows are steady at 300 CFS. While the hatch activity is sporadic, decent trout can be found rising during the most pleasant time of day in the slow runs. If you want to keep your rod bent, nymphing remains the more productive technique for both trout and whitefish.
Silver Creek: Midge | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails | Streamers
Big Wood: Midge | Perdigones | King Prince | Streamers
Big Lost: Baetis | Midge | Rubber Legged Stones | King Prince | Streamers
South Fork of the Boise: Baetis | Midge | Caddis Larva | Stoneflies | Flashback Pheasant Tails | Streamers
| Silver Creek | 115 cfs |
| Big Wood | 147 cfs |
| The Lost Below Mackay | 59.2 cfs |
| Salmon | 1040 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 297 cfs |
