“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”
– Anne Bradstreet
Anglers know that the time between seasons offers a rare balance. After the frigid days of winter and before the roiling waters of runoff, spring’s prologue can be quite pleasant— a fleeting moment of grace for both angler and trout.
Silver Creek
Kilpatrick Pond remains open through March 31st. On the right day and with appropriate layers, float tubing is not a bad idea. Silver Creek, from the Highway 20 bridge to its confluence with the Little Wood, remains open year-round and is a great walk-and-wade option. You will find surface activity during the pleasant part of the day; however, slow drifting suspended nymphs or swinging a lightly weighted bugger off the bank, over the shallow shelves, and through the buckets is the best approach.
The Big Wood
March looks to be a rollercoaster of rain, snow, and intermittent sunshine. Regardless of the weather conditions, this is a fantastic time to be on the Wood. For starters, it is best to be on the water from about midday until the sun drops behind the mountains. As the temperatures drop, so goes the fishing. For flies, always have a variety of midge patterns in sizes 16 to 24. If you find surface feeders, try a double dry setup 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 a non-beaded midge just below the surface. If you don’t find surface activity, try a dry dropper rig or go deep with an indicator or Euro style.
Big Lost below Mackay
The trip through Arco and up to Mackay, is a little over 2 hours and it is definitely worth the trip now that the sun is hanging in the sky a tad longer. If you go, keep in mind, the bows in the Lost spawn much earlier than other rivers in the region. If you find fish on redds, leave them be and watch your step. On most days, expect the hatch activity of both Baetis and Midge to be rather prolific in the afternoon. A collection of small (18-16) midge and Baetis nymphs are a good bet. Streamers are also worth a try.
South Fork of the Boise
The South Fork, along with the Wood, closes on the last day of March. You will find midge and some Baetis hatching during the warmest part of the day with some nice trout scattered about feeding. There are always plenty of white fish to target as well. Take your traditional tailwaters midge and Baetis patterns if you go head hunting or nymph the dancing water with stoneflies and beaded midge patterns. While the road is in good shape right now, always be prepared with the proper vehicle, snow tires, and chains.
Upper Salmon Steelhead
While the Sawtooth and Pahsimeroi Fish Hatcheries are not yet reporting, the fish have arrived in the upper reaches of the river. If you are interested, come on into the shop for the latest reports and to check our full selection of steelhead flies.
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 | 127 cfs |
| Big Wood | 204 cfs |
| Big Lost Below Mackay | 75.3 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 314 cfs |
| Salmon | 498 cfs |
