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This week’s weather forecast looks conducive to some great local fishing. We’ll see highs in the upper 30s, with overcast, calm days and perhaps a snow shower or two. This is ideal for winter fishing conditions on Silver Creek, the Big Wood River, the Big Lost River, and the South Fork Boise River. Get out on the water and take advantage of the great fishing!
For Silver Creek, streamers and leeches will continue to be the most productive patterns. Follow the tried-and-true adage of “bright day, bright fly; dark day, dark fly,” but don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite streamer patterns. A few midges have been spotted on the Creek, so have some tiny Griffith Gnats, Tie-Down Midges, and Zebra Midges to imitate the naturals.
On the Big Wood, the nymph fishing will continue to be the most productive fishing method, but anglers should be prepared to fish dries and streamers, as well. The Big Wood is full of sculpins, and the river’s resident rainbows eat plenty of them. Dark olive or brown sculpin imitations fished slowly on the river bottom will move some really nice fish. The same midges used on Silver Creek will be effective on the Big Wood, and a size 22 or 24 Parachute Adams is also a great midge imitation. For nymphs, think Girdle Bugs, Rubber Legs, Copper Johns, Rainbow Warriors, San Juan Worms, and dark Hare’s Ears in a variety of sizes and colors. A bright egg pattern can be a fantastic winter fly, as well. Mountain whitefish spawn throughout the late winter, and eggs are an easy meal for hungry trout.
The lower Big Lost River and the South Fork Boise River are also great winter fisheries. The same flies used on the Big Wood will produce on these rivers. Remember to check weather and road conditions before driving into the South Fork Boise canyon, and bring emergency supplies just in case.
Our mountain snowpack levels for the Big Wood, Little Wood and Big Lost river systems are hovering between 70-75 percent, so keep your fingers crossed for additional high-mountain snow for the rest of this winter. More snow = more water in the rivers = better fishing!
Have fun and be safe out there.
Happy fishing, everyone!
