Week of March 6, 2010
There are not many changes in our winter fishing conditions, but the warm weather of late has many of us itching for things to come. Trout fishing has been very good this winter and continues to be. The only real change is much less ice in the guides to be crushed out every six casts.
We do need water as we are only 65-70% of our yearly precipitation average and 55-65% average snowpack in the mountains. The northern jet is still split, taking most of the storms on a southerly track and into the eastern U.S. There is still some hope for some winter left, or we might get out spring rains like last year.
It will make for some long leaders and small offerings for our summer trout fishing if we don’t get more moisture.
South Fork of the Boise
The South Fork is flowing at 296 cfs today with normal winter flows at about 300 cfs. Expect to see mid day midges and baetis hatches which will last until the just after the sun goes over the canyon rim. The surface offerings are tiny, but bring those big rainbows to the top. The surface fishing will challenge even the most experienced dry fly fisher. When there is no top water activity, a weighted double nymph rig or single stonefly nymph rig will work in the deeper pools, slots, and pockets.
The South Fork closes March 31.
Yellowstone Park
Fishing in the Park is closed and opens Memorial Weekend. We have booked quite a few trips in June on the West side fishing the Madison, Firehole, Gibbon Rivers, and some of the other smaller streams. If you are interested in a June trip there is still availability. Let us know so we can secure lodging. Cabins are $140/night double occupancy and guide fee for two is $425/day, lunch provided. We also have availability in September with our trips into the Lamar Valley fishing the Yellowstone river, Slough Creek, the Lamar River, Soda Butte Creek and Trout Lake. These trips are 3-5 day excursions and one of our favorite. Cabins are $160/night double occupancy staying in Silver Gate, Mt., one mile outside the N.E. entrance to the park. Guide fees are $425/day for one or two anglers, lunch provided. Dinners are on you. Great trip if you have not done it and would like to see it from our point of view. September trout fishing in Yellowstone is something special.
Mountain Lakes
Probably not.
Big Wood River
The Big Wood in Hailey is flowing at 149 cfs today, which is about normal. Most obvious fish activity is centered around the midge hatches. When you see surface activity you will need to fish the midge dry, emerger, or pupae. A good way to fish these tiny imitations is to hang them from a size 12-16 adams on 6 or 7X tippet and cast gently above your target or pod of feeders. Strike quickly but with restraint or you will be tying up a new rig. If there is no obvious surface feeding a weighted double nymph rig or a single stonefly imitation in the deeper slower waters will be effective.
The Lower Big Wood, below Magic will also fish with the midge hatches this time of year. The deeper pools will fish with tiny nymphs and small streamers.
The Big Wood closes March 31.
Big Lost River
The Lower Big Lost is flowing at 111 cfs. Normal flows are generally below 100 cfs in the 75-90 range, so those are good flows. March is one of our favorite times on the Lower. The spring baetis is big and is mixed with a fairly decent sized midge hatch. The baetis is about a size 17. An adams, gulper special or comparadun baetis are all good dry fly choices. A size 16-18 unweighted pheasant tail is a great choice when these big rainbows are at the surface or just below munching emerging midges and baetis.
The lower Lost closes March 31.
Little Wood River (Desert)
Pick a warm day. Possibly a large nymph or streamer in the big pools. The water is cloudy and access is muddy right now.
Silver Creek
Silver Creek is closed as of Feb. 28. Streamer fishing was good this winter. One of our clients landed a 25 1/2 inch buck brown at the end of Feb. We won’t see him until brown drake next June.
Carey Lake
Carey lake is still good for bluegill and some bass at the inflow of the warm springs. As the ice goes off the fish will spread out and it will slow some. Fish a bead head prince under and indicator, or a small popper.
Salmon River
Most of the fishing interest in the shop is now centered around a near record run of Steelhead moving up the Salmon. With air temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s the ice is out, the river warming, and the fish are on the move. The bulk of the run seemed to be between the Middle Fork and the North Fork of the Salmon last week according to the Fish and Game website catch rates. Water temperatures are around 40 degrees, so they are warm enough for the fish to move. There is not a lot of snowpack in the Salmon Basin, so unless big rains put it out we will have good water conditions for our run to Stanley.
We move into our steelhead lodge March 26 and will be open until April 26 this year. We will run guide trips until April 30. Our lodging will end on April 26. We anticipate an early run into the upper river as they came way upriver last fall and our late winter temperatures have been warm.
Stop in the shop, or call 208-726-1706 if you would like to book some lodge days or a guide or try out one of the switch rods that just arrived. A small two hander is great for the upper river.
Closing Notes
Skiing ok, fishing better right now.
Fish far and fine,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters