Snake River

Its mid-march and fishing is on pace with what we would expect on the Snake.  Air temperatures have been in the 50s on some days and water temps have been creeping into the low 40s for a couple of hours.  We have a bit more diversity of bugs on the water with chironomids, capnias, and some blue-winged olives all making an appearance.  So surface action is there most days during the afternoon.  Target current margins and shallow water at the head of inside turns.  Riffles and seams will also have action here and there.  Don’t expect dozens of fish, but getting a few on the surface in March is a real treat. 

Nymphing is working throughout the day in a variety of water types.  Riffles, seams, and submerged structure has been producing best.  Six feet of leader is about all you need if using an indicator.  Afternoons are still the most productive time of the day.  Don’t be afraid to fish a dry-dropper with about four feet of leader down to your nymph.  This is working as good as double or triple nymph rigs during the 1pm to 4pm period of the day.

Streamers are producing better each day with moderately sized baitfish imitations working best on floating and intermediate sinking lines.  Retrieves should be slow to moderate in speed.  You can give them movement, but a traditional retrieve is working as good as anything else.

Dry flies – Parachute Extended Body BWOs, Comparaduns, Quigley’s Split Flag BWO, Christian’s GT BWO, Booty’s BWO Emerger, Film Critics, Christian’s GT Trico, Pheasant Tail Emergers, Parachute Midges,  Mating Midges, RS2s, and Renegades.

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

Streamers – Lite Brite Zonkers, Chickletts, Kreelux, Beldar Buggers, and Krystal Buggers.

South Fork

It has been warm on the South Fork, and fishing has been good on most of the river as a result.  The best action has been on the upper reach from the Dam down to Byington.  There is also good stuff on the lower reach from Wolf Eddy down to Lorenzo.  Surface action has been decent in the afternoon hours in riffle pools, flats, and shallow seams.  Chironomids and blue-winged olives will be out most days.  Get a good, solid, dead drift and when fish are rising.  Takes have been kind of slow regardless of species, so don’t be too quick on the draw.

Nymphing has been good and is similar to what is happening on the Snake.  Keep your leader length in the five to six foot range and target riffles, seams and submerged structure.  A dry-dropper can be used on flats in the afternoon hours.  A dropper leader that is three feet in length will generally suffice.

Streamers have been working when fished along submerged structure, in seams, and at the head of riffles.  Floating and intermediate sinking lines are all that you will need.  A wide range of streamer sizes and colors are producing, but brighter patterns are definitely outperforming darker flies.

Dry Flies – Comparaduns, Quigley Cripples, Film Critics, Christian’s GT Trico, Pheasant Tail Emergers, Parachute Midges, Mating Midges, Griffith Gnats, and Renegades.

Nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Legs, Biot Bugs, Lightening Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Copper Johns in red or black, Rojo Midges, Idylwylde Tailwater Midges, Booty’s Day-2 Midge Pupa, Zebra Midges, Jujubee Midges, and Brassies.

Streamers – Bow River Buggers, Kreelux, Sparkle Minnows, J.J. Specials, Tequilleys, and Galloup’s Zoo Cougar.