Snowpack levels in the Wood River Valley and adjacent drainages look fantastic for April. The current snowpack levels are as follows: Big Wood River – 149%, Little Wood River – 159%, Big Lost River – 148%, and Salmon River – 117%. We are looking forward to a great season!
Silver Creek, the Big Wood River, and the South Fork Boise River below Anderson Ranch Dam are closed and will re-open on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.
Steelhead season on the Salmon River runs through the end of April. Expect runs and fish movement to be later this season, given the recent weather. Anglers in search of steelhead on the Salmon can encounter fish throughout the river from Stanley downstream past Challis. Swinging black or purple egg-sucking leeches, green-butt skunks, and similar patterns can be effective on the lower river. As fish move upstream, anglers should concentrate on pocket water, deep runs, and boulder-strewn riffles, with indicator nymphing being the most productive technique. Flies such as glo bugs, nuke eggs, oversize prince nymphs, and large stonefly nymphs will entice the river’s steelhead.
Fishing on the Big Lost River below Mackay Dam remains productive. Both midge and Blue-Winged Olive activity has been steady. Look for midges to start late morning or early afternoon, with BWOs following for the remainder of the day. Don’t fish the lower Lost without Tie-Down Midges (20–22), Baetis Film Critics (18–22), and red and black zebra midges (18–20)!
The countdown to Opening Day at Silver Creek is at 53 days. It will be here before you know it, so now is the time to prep your gear and get the right flies for the early hatches on the Creek. Stop by the shop or give us a call, and we’ll get you set up with the right PMD, Blue-Winged Olive, Callibaetis, and Brown Drake patterns that you’ll need for the upcoming season. New product is arriving daily!
Keep tuned in to our blog and social media for upcoming information on Opening Day festivities at Picabo Angler. This year will be bigger and better than ever!
Happy fishing, everyone!