Snake River

Chilly days over the past week and a half means that the best action has been from approximately noon until around 4:30pm with the sweet spot occurring from around 1pm until 3pm. Midges are clearly the name of the game both on the surface and below.  Ledge rock pools, as well as seams eddies at the edge of backwater channels are the best targets for both dry flies and nymphs.  Going deep with double/triple nymph rigs is producing before 1pm.  Shallower rigs (five feet or less) will work in the afternoon (although deeper rigs will still produce better).   Dry flies – Eurimsky BDEs, Griffith Gnats, Parachute Midges, Parachute Tricos, CDC Midge Emergers, and Chez’s Krystal Midge Emerger. 

Nymphs – Duracells, Keller’s Peach Fuzz, Booty’s Day-2 Midge, Zebra Midges, Ice Cream Cone Midges, and Perdigons.

South Fork

As on the Snake, we have had some pretty cold days on the South Fork.  The most productive fishing has been on the lower reaches from Kelly’s Campground down to Lorenzo.  Decent action on midge and attractor nymphs in the morning with a noticeable uptick in production after 12pm.  Surface action picks up after 1pm and lasts until 5pm.  Riffle tailouts, eddies, seams, and backwater side channels are the best waters to target.  Be prepared for some super slow eats, especially in slower currents.

Dry flies – Renegades, Griffith Gnats, Parachute Midges, Parachute Adams, Klinkhamers, CDC Midge Emergers, and Chez’s Krystal Midge Emerger.

Nymph – Duracells, Brillion’s Lucent Jig, Zebra Midges, Jujubee Midges, Ice Cream Cone Midges, Miracle Midges,and Perdigons.