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February brought a dose of much-needed precipitation to the Valley, and snowpacks throughout our watersheds are healthy.
Silver Creek north of Highway 20, along with Kilpatrick Pond, remains open until March 31. Streamer fishing continues to be the most productive technique and will entice some of the Creek’s largest browns and rainbows. Midge activity should increase daily, offering anglers a chance for some incredible late-winter dry-fly fishing on Silver Creek.
The Big Lost River below Mackay Dam will become one of the area’s better fisheries this month. Midge activity has been on the increase and will only get better as March progresses. In addition, spring Blue-Winged Olives will hatch throughout the river system toward the end of the month, providing some exceptional dry-fly fishing in the afternoons. Look for surface-feeding fish along foam lines, current seams, and in the slower tailouts of pools. A good selection of Griffith Gnats, Trailing Shuck Midges, Tie-Down Midges, Film Critic BWOs, Parachute BWOs, Last Chance BWO Cripples, and RS-2s in sizes 18-22 will take rising rainbows on the Lost. Nymphing remains an excellent technique, and don’t be caught on the Lost without black and red Zebra Midges in sizes 16-20! Other effective patterns include San Juan Worms, Copper Johns, Rainbow Warriors, Cranefly Larva, and black Rubberlegs. Flows out of the dam are at approximately 200 CFS; with a healthy snowpack and Mackay Reservoir near capacity, flows could increase at any time. Give a call to the shop or check the USGS websites for current flow information before you make the drive.
Fishing on the Big Wood River remains productive. Anglers are having success nymphing, fishing midge dries, and throwing sculpin patterns for the river’s biggest fish. Look for the best midge activity to occur during the afternoons. Griffiths Gnats, Trailing Shuck Midges, Sprout Midges and Zebra Midges should all be in your Big Wood winter fly box.
The South Fork of the Boise continues to fish fairly well with stable flows. Flies used on the Big Lost and Big Wood are equally as effective on the South Fork. Be prepared for any weather if you make the drive.
Please keep in mind that many rainbows begin to spawn at the end of the month, so keep an eye out for redds and let spawners do their thing.
Happy fishing, everyone!