Snake River

Pretty warm temps over the past week and they will be even warmer over the next week w2ith temperatures on the Snake forecasted to be in the mid-40s.  This should be more than enough to get some blue-winged olives kicked started to accompany the chironomids on the surface. Nonetheless, chironomids should be the main focus of both the trout and the person doing the casting.  Water temperatures will be at their warmest around mid-afternoon and this is the best time to be on the water.  As has been the case over the past three weeks or so, targeting deeper and slower portions of riffles pools and seams is the best tactic.  But with these warmer temps, don’t be surprised to see trout holding and feeding closer to the head of riffles and seams, as well as along banks with sufficient depths.  Take advantage of whatever surface action you see, but nymphing is still the best way to go.  Brighter colored chironomid and mayfly larva patterns, as well as stonefly nymphs the most productive flies.

Effective patterns – Pat’s Rubber Leg, BH Flashback Hares Ear Nymph, Golden Biot Bugs, Zug Bugs, Copper Johns in red, Lightening Bugs, Booty’s Deep Stinker Nymph, Psycho Princes, Superman, Booty’s Day-2 Midges, Ice Cream Cone Midges, and Zebra Midges.

South Fork

Flows from Palisades Dam continue to roll at about 950 cfs.  The warm weather we are going to have over the next week could put temperatures on the South Fork at over 50 degrees, especially on the lower river in the vicinity of Ririe.  Fishing has been best on the upper reach below Palisades Reservoir and on the lower reach from Kelly’s Island down to Menan.  This will continue to be the case with the next round of warm air temperatures.  Early to mid-afternoon hours have been a good time to be on the water.  Slower riffles and seams are fishing good and it is possible to find A LOT of fish podded up in certain pools.  Chironomids are the main fare on the surface, but don’t be surprised to see the emergence of some blue-winged olives as well (a special treat in December.

Effective patterns – Pat’s Rubber Leg, BH Flashback Hares Ear Nymph, Golden Biot Bugs, Foxy Stone Nymphs, Lightening Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Booty’s Deep Stinker Nymph, Prince Nymphs, Copper Johns in red of black, Psycho Mays, Psycho Princes, Booty’s Day-2 Midges, Ice Cream Cone Midges, and Zebra Midges, Mating Midges, Ritt’s ARF Midge, Foam Back Midge Emerger, and Air Flo Tricos.