“Be humble after but not during the action.”
– Ernest Hemingway
The greatest lesson the river and its inhabitants teach is humility.
The Big Wood
March is special on the Wood, especially on cloudy days; the midge fishing can be spectacular. Regardless of the weather conditions, it is best to be on the water from about midday till 4 PM. And once the sun drops behind the mountains, the fishing slows considerably. For flies, carry a variety of midge patterns in sizes 16 to 24. If you find surface action, try a double dry set up 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 the non beaded brassie, which will ride just below the surface film. If you can’t find any surface activity try a dry dropper rig. Going deep in the right slow bucket with a double rig and an indicator or Euro Style is always worth a try.
Silver Creek
Kilpatrick pond remains open through March 31st and Silver Creek from the Highway 20 bridge to its confluence with the Little Wood is now open year-round. The mild weather cycle has melted much of the surface ice and the river is very fishable. The forecast is calling for unsettled weather this week which may trigger some midge activity. You will find 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
As the crow flies, the Lost is only 20 minutes away; the drive, however, through Arco and up to Mackay, is a little over 2 hours. It is definitely worth the trip! Keep in mind, the bows in the Lost spawn much earlier than the other rivers in the region; leave these fish be, and be careful not to walk on redds. On mild days, you can expect some great hatch activity of both Baetis and Midge in the afternoon. The same assortment of flies you would use on the Wood will work here.
South Fork of the Boise
The South Fork, along with the Wood, closes on the last day of March, so take advantage of this wonderful tailwater. 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 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.
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 | 119 cfs |
| Big Wood | 155 cfs |
| The Lost Below Mackay | 79.6 cfs |
| Salmon | 1150 cfs |
| South Fork of the Boise | 304 cfs |
