Snake River

There has been quite a bit of variability in terms of holding water over the past couple of months, but it seems that finally fish are podded up in their winter lies.  Ledge rock pools, eddies, and seams at the margin of backwater channels are the prime targets.  Midges are the name of the game.  Deeper pools are best fished with double nymph rigs going down to 7ft in some cases.  Shallower water is best fished with dry-dropper rigs, as there is a bit more potential for surface action or at least shallow feeding. Be prepared to fish with ice in or around the edges of most holding water.  This will melt off for the most part later in the day, but that can cool water temps noticeably.

Dry flies – Furimsky BDEs, Griffith Gnats, Parachute Adams, Parachute Midges, Ritt’s ARF Midge Adult, Klinkhamers, Chez’s Krystal Wing Midge Emerger, and CDC Midge Emergers.

Nymphs – Duracells, Keller’s Peach Fuzz, Egan’s Iron Lotus, Frenchies, Perdigons, Spanish Bullets, Ice Cream Cone Midges, and Zebra Midges.

South Fork

Decent to good winter fishing on almost all reaches with recently warm temps.  Midges dominate and can be found in good numbers on the surface from around noon until 4pm.  Dry-dropper rigs and double/triple rigs is the best way to go.  The most consistent action is occurring in the four to six foot level in the water column.  The sweet spot with nymph rigs run from around 11am until 3pm.

Streamer fishing has been inconsistent but offers some respectable action from around 1pm until 3pm.  Focus on slower water types along eddy current margins, the slow margins of seams, and submerged structure with slow to slightly moderate current speeds.  Go with slow retrieves on floating lines or sinking tips in the INT range.  Smaller patterns are outperforming moderately sized streamers.

Dry flies – Renegades, Mating Midges, Parachute Adams, Minimal Mayflies, CDC Midge Emergers, and Chez’s Krystal Wing Midge Emerger.

Nymphs – Duracells, Cyclops, Brillion’s Lucent Jig, Military Mayflies, Egan’s Dart, Zebra Midges, Ice Cream Cone Midges, Perdigons, and Brassies.

Streamers – Booty Call Minnows, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnows, Slump Busters, Kreelux, and Lite Brite Zonkers.