Snake River

Warm temperatures all around at the moment on the Wyoming side of the Snake River.  Many days in the 40s and some approaching 50.  Fishing is comfortable, and pretty damn good most days as well.

Chironomids are everywhere and we are seeing more and more of the tiny black winter stones.  We are also starting to see a few blue-winged olives during the afternoon hours.  Targeting riffles is the best plan of action.  The middle piece of riffle pools, as well as riffle current margins, are producing in the morning.  After about 1pm, we start to see activity at the head of riffles.  Seams and inside corners are also producing during this period of the day.  Surface patterns are getting action on inside turns and at the current margins of riffles.  Look for this activity to be in water with depths of less than three feet.

Streamers are starting to produce better than they have since the warm spell we had in January.  We have been using slow to moderate retrieves through riffle pools and along seams (especially the tails).  A range of lines are working, but most action has been on full run intermediate lines and 3ips tips.

Dry flies – Booty’s BWO Emergers, Film Critics, Parachute Extended Body BWOs, Furimsky BDEs, Renegades, Mating Midges, and Parachute Midge Emergers.

Nymphs – Biot Bugs, Booty’s Deep Stinker Nymphs, Lightening Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Copper Johns in red and olive, Zebra Midges, Ice Cream Cone Midges, Booty’s Day-2 Midge Pupa, and Rojo Midges.

Streamers – Krystal Buggers, Bow River Buggers, Lite Brite Zonkers, Baby Bunnies, Kreelux, and Chickletts.

South Fork

Warm temps all around with many days approaching 50 degrees, particularly on the lower reaches in the vicinity of Kelly’s Island, Heise Bridge, and Lorenzo Bridge.  These warm temps are forecasted to be around for a while, so get out and enjoy it if you can.

As on the Snake, chironomids are dominating the scene on the surface.  Blue-wings olives are appearing more amore each day – nothing impressive yet but it is a sure sign that spring is on the way.  Double nymph rigs are producing throughout the day in riffles and riffle tail-outs, seams, and the margin of eddies.  Dry flies start to get action after about 12pm with the sweet spot being from about 1pm until 5pm.  Target riffles, and flats primarily and look for dead-solid drifts.  Any movement is generating refusals.

Streamers seem to be getting more action each day.  Riffles, riffle pools, and seams are prime targets.  We are also seeing action along banks and structure with moderate depths.  Floating lines, intermediate lines, intermediate tips, and 3ips lines are working best.  Moderate and variable retrieves is the way to go.

Dry Flies – Booty’s BWO Emergers, Quigley Cripples, Film Critics, Parachute Adams, Parachute Extended Body BWOs, Furimsky BDEs, Renegades, Griffith Gnats, Mating Midges, and Air-Flo Tricos.

Nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Leg, Biot Bugs, Copper Johns in red, olive, or black, Rainbow Warriors, Lightening Bugs, Dorsey’s Mercury Baetis, Furimsky BDEs, Zebra Midges, Ice Cream Cone Midges, and Booty’s Day-2 Midge Pupa.

Streamers – Kreelux, Chickletts, SRA Double Bunnies, Gongas, and Zoo Cougars.