“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
The love of the pursuit makes even the coldest day seem like an invitation to angle. The river doesn’t ask for comfort, only presence.
Silver Creek
The Nature Conservancy is closed for the season; however, downstream of Kilpatrick Bridge remains open until the end of March and from the Highway 20 bridge through Point of Rocks to the confluence of the Little Wood is open year round. With the mild temperature there has been very little ice along the edges, but this may change as the temperatures drop mid January. If you go, try nymphing with midge patterns or swing a leech.
The Big Wood
The river is up a tad as a result of the above average temperatures, but a cool down is coming and the flows will drop again. Parking access remains decent with the low snowpack on the valley floor. And now that the holidays are over, the river will be less crowded. With water temps in the mid to high 30s you will find the trout concentrated in the slow, deep runs. Nymphing is the best approach as we are still a month away from the really prolific midge hatches. Try a dry dropper or double nymph with an indicator to cover all the depths of water the fish may be holding. As always, winter trout need to be released quickly.
Big Lost Below Mackay
With Trail Creek Pass closed, you will need to head to Arco and up to Mackay; this takes a little over two hours. The river is flowing at 60 CFS, concentrating the trout in the deeper runs. Try a dry dropper rig, Euro nymphing, or a light indicator rig. There is a short period of surface activity especially on cloudy days.
South Fork of the Boise
Forecasters are calling for a cool down, so it may get icy in the canyon. If heading to the South Fork, a 4X4 with studded snow tires and chains is a good idea. The flows are at 300 CFS, perfect for wading. The hatch activity is sparse this time of year; however, trout can be found rising late in the day. Still, nymphing is the best for both trout and whitefish.
Silver Creek: Baetis 20-24 | Zebra Midge in black, red, or olive | Small Pheasant Tails | Streamers
Big wood: Baetis 20,22 | Midge 22,24 | Small Perdigones | King Prince | Streamers
Big Lost: Baetis 18,20 | Midge 20-24 | Streamers
South Fork of the Boise: Baetis | Midge | Rubber Legged Stones | Zebra Midge | Caddis Larva | Flashback Pheasant Tails | Streamers
| Silver Creek | 122 cfs |
| Big Wood | 222 cfs |
| Big Lost Below Mackay | 61.1 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 304 cfs |
