Photo Credit: Ed Northen
“If you dig a hole and it’s in the wrong place, digging it deeper isn’t going to help.”
– Seymour Chwast
Successful winter angling is more than just being in the right place. You also need to be there at the right time, with the right fly, and make the right presentation.
The Big Wood
The snowfall in February has brought the snow water equivalent within the Big Wood drainage up to 121%. This bodes well for summer flows; however, the challenge on the Wood right now is getting to the river. The typical parking areas are full of snow, so be prepared to hike to the river from a plowed parking area. It is worth the effort, as late February and March are typically the best winter dry fly months of the season. The winter midge activity on the Wood can be spectacular especially on cloudy days. No matter what the day gives you, go with a good supply of midge patterns: Trailing Shuck Midge, Griffiths Gnats, Parachute Adams, beaded and non beaded Zebra Midge. If you find surface activity, try a double dry set up with an easy to see dry trailed by a smaller midge imitation. This is a great option in low light conditions. Sometimes switching the small fly in this tandem rig to the non beaded midge, which will ride just below the surface film, will fool finicky trout. Of course, for those times when nothing is happening on the surface, try a dry dropper rig or deep nymphing with an indicator or Euro Style.
Silver Creek
Kilpatrick pond is open through March 31st and Silver Creek is open year-round from the Highway 20 bridge to it’s confluence with the Little Wood. The recent storm cycle is warmer and some of the surface ice has receded, though it is still very icy along the banks. Check the forecast and as long as there is a streak of warmer days it would be worth a visit. You may find some surface activity during the pleasant part of the day; however, slow drifting suspended nymph or swinging a lightly weighted bugger off the bank, over the shallow shelves, and through the buckets is the best approach.
The Lost Below Mackay
With the longer days, an excursion through Arco and over to the Lost should be on your bucket list. The flows are steady at 75 CFS, making for easy wading. You should see midday midge hatch with a few Baetis as well. The fish are feeding aggressively in preparation for the spring spawn and there may already be a few fish staging. For flies, bring a good assortment of midge and Baetis dries and nymphs. Dry dropper rigs or Euro style will catch fish all day.
South Fork of the Boise
The river is holding steady at 300 CFS and typically remains at this level until the river closes at the end of March. The fishing is fantastic in late February and March, and this area is definitely worth the drive for a full day of fishing. Of course, with the recent storm, take a vehicle that can handle the conditions in the canyon.Surface activity can be unpredictable, but those willing to dead drift a nymph or swing a streamer will be rewarded. For dries, standard Baetis and adult midge patterns work well.
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 | 114 cfs |
| Big Wood | 132 cfs |
| The Lost Below Mackay | 75.3 cfs |
| Salmon | 990 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 304 cfs |
