Snake River
Dry fly fishing has been good (think BWOs and midges, along opportunities with moderately sized streamers) depending on what waters you target and the time of day. Side channels and seams feeding into eddies are producing relatively early with opportunities from around 10:30am until deep in the afternoon. Ledge rock pools on the lower river, and banks and structure with slow to moderate currents become active around 2pm and can last until dusk. Riffle and confluences have been hit or miss but offer relatively good action on days with measurable precipitation.
Dry-dropper rigs have been the best way to go if using nymphs and they can produce from 10am until late into the afternoon. They are working in the same waters as dries but are also working in riffles and confluences regardless of weather conditions. Vary up your tippet lengths, but keep in mind that longer (four to six feet) tippet lengths are working from 10am to 1pm, while shorter lengths (two to three feet) are better after 1pm.
Streamer fishing remains inconsistent but is worth doing even on slower days if you remain patient. When its on, banks, troughs, and the head of riffles are the most productive water to target. Sinking tips in the 3ips to 6ips range are working better than lighter and heavier counterparts. Vary up your retrieves and go with moderately sized baitfish imitations primarily.
Dry flies – Mary Kays, Micro Bruces, Parachute Extended Body BWO and Mahogany Duns, Parachute Adams, Booty’s DL Cripple, Quigley Cripples, Booty’s BWO Emerger, Film Critics, Chez’s Krystal Wing Midge Emerger, CDC Midge Emergers, and Pheasant Tail Emergers.
Nymphs – Duracells, Keller’s Peach Fuzz, Psycho Princes, Robins, Lightening Bugs, Military Mayflies, Dorsey’s Mercury Baetis, Cole’s Lite Brite Serendipity, Zebra Midges, Jujubee Midges, and Perdigons.
Streamers – Mojo Minnows, Booty Call Minnows, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow, Sparkle Yummies, Galloup’s Mini Dungeon, Lite Brite Zonkers, Crafty Fur Clousers, and Krelux.
South Fork
Late autumn weather with decent fishing on the South Fork over the past two weeks. The best action has been on the lower reaches from Wolf Eddy down to Menan with the Swan Valley reach from Palisades Reservoir town to Conant a close second. Your choice of reaches depends on what approach you take.
Streamer fishing has been most productive on the lower river with both large and moderately sized baitfish imitations working equally well when fished on floating lines or sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range (banks, structure, the inside turn of riffles, the head of seams, and side channels are key targets). Dry flies are also producing in the afternoon hours with BWO and midge imitations getting into fish from approximately 1pm until dusk. Riffles, seams, eddy current margins, and side channels are good holding water choices.
The upper river is fishing best with nymph rigs throughout the day with riffles, seams, and banks with slow to moderate currents producing well, especially from around noon until dusk. Go with tandem dry-dropper rigs and vary upper your dropper tippet lengths depending on time of day and the water your are targeting. As on the lower river, dry flies are producing from around 2pm until dusk in riffles, seams, and flats.
Dry flies – Purple Bruces, Micro Peanuts, Parachute Extended Body BWOs and Mahogany Duns, Snowshoe Duns, Booty’s DL Cripple, Parachute Midges, CDC Midge Emergers, and Rusty Spinners.
Nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Leg, Duracells, Brillion’s Lucent Jig, Copper Johns in red, olive, or black, Military Mayflies, Dorsey’s Mercury Baetis, Devil Jigs, Zebra Midges, Jujubee Midges, and Perdigons.
Streamers – Galloup’s Peanut Envy, Silvey Sculpins, Galloup’s Boogeyman, Craven’s Swim Coach, Arum’s Lil’ Kims, Booty Call Minnows, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow, Marabou Muddlers, and Kreelux.
Salt River
Decent fishing on all reaches with higher gradient portions outperforming low gradient parts of the river. Midges dominate. Micro caddis are also out and BWO can be around in good numbers with the right weather. Surface action is best from around 1pm until 4pm and can be intense during that period when the stars align. Nymphs fished as part of a dry-dropper rigs are working well after 10am until around 6pm. Riffles, seams, eddy pools, and submerged structure are the best waters to target.
Dry flies – Elk Hair Caddis, Mathew’s X-Caddis, Parachute Adams, Parachute Extended Body BWOs and Mahogany Duns, Booty’s DL Cripple, Booty’s BWO Emerger, Film Critics, Pheasant Tail Emergers, and CDC Midge Emergers.
Nymphs – Duracells, Keller’s Peach Fuzz, Brillion’s Lucent Jigs, Copper Johns in olive or black, Military Mayflies, Batmen, Zebra Midges, Ice Cream Cone Midges, Nuclear Midges, and Perdigons.