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Happy New Year from your friends at Picabo Angler!
We hope the new year brings you a lot of bent rods and big fish. Don’t forget the most important thing—your new fishing license—and, if you hunt, a new hunting license. The fishing is pretty darned good right now so take advantage of the mild winter conditions and get out there.
The Big Wood is in full winter glory right now. The fishing action includes Midge hatches that are bringing the fish to the surface daily. This winter dry-fly activity should not be taken for granted. Although consistent on the Big Wood, winter dry-fly activity is not the norm on most rivers. If you fish in the middle of the day, you should be able the walk the river until you see heads up eating Midges. Watch the foam lines, gentle riffles and back eddies for rising trout. If you can’t find this, or just want an easier way to catch fish, try a red or black Zebra Midge fished under a strike indicator. Find current, but not too strong, and search the middle of the runs. If you are really at a loss, try an olive-colored Streamer.
Silver Creek is fishing well, especially with cloud cover. The Streamer fishing is the way to go, fishing bright colors on bright days and dark colors on dark days. Keep in mind there are duck hunters on the Creek the next few weeks, so please be safe and respectful around other people’s activities. The Creek is open from Highway 20 downstream (north) for catch-and-release fishing until the end of March this year.
The South Fork of the Boise is fishing well—perhaps better than most winters since the fires there a few years ago. Fish the same Midges, wet and dry, you would use on the Big Wood. Check the weather before you go and carry chains if you head down into the canyon.
Finally, the Lost River is always a joy to fish in the winter. The lower Big Lost around Mackay is a wonderful winter river and again it is a place you can use all the same flies you use locally on the Big Wood. Fish the same water type, as well. Look for the ledges and stay out of the main current. For a really nice few days in Mackay, stay the night at the Wagon Wheel or the Bear Bottom Inn.
Happy fishing, everyone!