"A fly fisherman's knowledge is compounded of many things. It grows out of imagination, curiosity, bold experiment, and intense observation." ~ Roderick L. Haig-Brown The next time you go fishing, fish less and watch more. Don't rush into the water and start casting the same flies that worked last week. Watch the water closest to the bank. Observe the patterns…
Read More
"Spring creek trout have a reputation for being moody, which often means they are difficult, but when they are in the mood to feast, almost nothing-- not sloppy wading, not poor casting, not a ridiculous choice of flies--will dissuade them." ~ Ted Leeson Ted is right about spring creek trout. When it is time to feast, when the Tricos and…
Read More
"The image of giant mayflies backlit by a broad Western sunset is a sight that can never be forgotten. And when the audible rise of trout that may not be interested in surface feeding at any other time is added to the picture, you begin to understand the special summer event that Brown Drakes have come to represent." ~ Rene…
Read More
"What a tourist terms a plague of insects, the fly fisher calls a great hatch." ~ Patrick F. McManus Fly Fishing Forecast May 27th to June 3rd Despite the rain and cool weather, a few Brown Drakes have been spotted on the lower river. This slow trickle of insects is a good sign that the "plague" is just on the…
Read More
"The pleasure isn't in the doing of the thing, the pleasure is in planning it." ~ John Green, Paper Towns Fly Fishing Forecast May 13th to May 20th Two weeks till opening day...May 23rd! Now is the time to plan. Start with a gear check: Do your waders need repair? Do you need to replace the studs on your wading…
Read More
"Never make predictions, especially about the future." ~ Casey Stengel The Big Wood Basin snow water equivalent is at 70% of normal as of March 16th. For those already looking ahead to summer, all signs are pointing to an early and moderate run off and a good early fishing season on our local waters. In the meanwhile, the steelhead are…
Read More
"Wet boots are a way of life." ~ Austin McPherson March is a great month to get your boots wet. While the Creek is now closed, the Wood is just hitting its late winter, early spring stride. Our area tailwaters, the Lost and the South Fork of the Boise, also fish fantastic in March. And it won't be long now…
Read More
"It is the constant--or inconstant--change, the infinite variety in fly-fishing that binds us fast. It is impossible to grow weary of a sport that is never the same on any two days of the year. " --Theodore Gordan The Winter Midge activity keeps gaining momentum and surface feeding trout can be found throughout all our rivers. And with each passing…
Read More
"To go fishing is the chance to wash one's soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of sun on blue water. It brings meekness and inspiration from the decency of nature, charity toward tackle-makers, patience toward fish, a mockery of profits and egos, a quieting of hate, a rejoicing that you do not…
Read More
"...knowing a river intimately is a large part of the joy of fly >fishing." - Roderick Haig-Brown To know a river intimately, one must experience it in all of its seasons. Of course, most anglers know the more popular seasons, summer and fall, when our local rivers are tricked with glamorous hatches and idyllic conditions. But those who know a…
Read More