Week of March 21, 2008
This will most like be our last fish report of the winter season. We will update for the Memorial Day weekend general season opener.
South Fork of the Boise
Flowing at 300 cfs on our last trip over. Some midge and baetis hatching can bring these fish up. Yuk bugs or big stonefly nymphs in the rocky deep also produce. Try to go on a week day. Weekenders are filling up the river on Saturdays and Sundays. Closes at the end of March.
Yellowstone Park
Closed until Memorial Day weekend.
We still have some openings for June in the Park. A great time for dry fly hatches on the Firehole, Madison, Gibbon and some of the smaller streams on the west side of the park. We are very booked in Sept. in the Lamar Valley, but if you might like some time shoot us an email and we will try to work you in.
Mountain Lakes
Snowshoes, ice auger.
Big Wood River
The Big Wood continues to fish “stupid good”. Streamflows are 149 cfs today. Normal is about 170 cfs. We are still freezing at night and early spring runoff has not started yet. When, and if it does, before it closes on March 31, the slightly heavier flows increase velocity and dislodge more nymphs for the fish to feed on. Larger nymphs, such as big green drake nymphs, yuks, black or brown girdle bugs, stonefly nymphs, large hare’s ears fish very well. Midge hatches are still happening in the slow waters and eddies. If you run into a heavy hatch be prepared to switch to the dry and the emerging midge patterns as most fish will begin to feed on top. The small black stonefly, capnia, has been prevalent on the snowbanks as well. It is said to be flightless so fishing as dry is not as necessary as the dry midge. Look for the large brown stone, similar to the squawla. Sometimes there can be nice rises to this size 8 dry stonefly at this time of year.
Below Magic Dam has also been very good. The only real difficulty if nymphing is to get through the small fish to reach the big browns and rainbows. Streamer fishing can help find the big guys. Mohair leeches, buggers or your favorite baitfish pattern. There are so many trout in so little water they are competitive and catching should not be an issue. Getting more winter water flowing in this reach of the Big Wood River should become a priority of our local community and the Fish and Game department. It is a valuable resource, just like alfalfa.
Big Lost River
The lower Big Lost is on par with the Big Wood. Just share gas expenses. 2 1/2 hour run one way. Flows as of today are 93 cfs. Normal is about 120. The spring baetis has started and the midges are mixing with the blue winged olive hatchs. Expect most emergences to begin by about 1 pm. Before the hatch the zebra midge in 18 and 20 works very well. Use your favorite size 14 weighted nymph to sink the zebra. During the baetis hatch the trout can get very picky. You may have to play with dry fly patterns or even fish emergers. When it seems impossible a size 16-18 pheasant tail, unweighted and fished shallow beneath a dry or indicator is my go to fish catcher. The fish are healthy and starting to spawn. Watch the redds and redding fish. There are plenty to fish to who aren’t making our next generation.
Little Wood River (Desert)
No reports. Wait until May.
Silver Creek
Closed Feb 29th.
Carey Lake
Bluegill and bass fishing has been great around the hot spring. They are beginning to spread out as the ice melts and the water warms. Prince nymphs for the bluegills, black or brown buggers for bass. Can be a nice outing.
Salmon River
Our first steelhead trip of the year landed 6 fish in the Stanley water on March 20. So they have arrived. From here on conditions and fish numbers will change daily, but I won’t have time to report. The Sawtooth hatchery opens its gates March 31. The Pashereroi hatchery reports 140 fish as of March 19, with 40 arriving that day. That will only increase as the river rises and warms. Early season fishing around Challis will be more productive that the colder Stanley waters. Just follow the fish as they move up river.
Nymphing with skykomish sunrises, egg patterns, fifi, or dark weighted nymphs are our preferred methods this time of year. Egg sucking leaches or purple bunnies on a swung presentation also move steelhead.
It should be a good year with 12,000 more fish than last year coming into Idaho.
We still have some open dates at the steelhead lodge and for guides in late March and April. Let us know by email scott@lostriveroutfitters.com or call the shop if you would like to book some time.
Closing Notes
Good fishing and I will post a new report early May. We may try to update the steelhead page from our lodge in Stanley, if we have time. If you want first hand report call Susanne Connor’s cell at 208-720-1994 or mine at 208-720-3813.
Fish far and fine,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters