Snake River
BWOs are dominating the surface scene most days. On those days when it is happening, a smattering will be noticed around 11:30am and then build into a crescendo around 1:30-2PM before waning around 4:30PM. Riffles, seams, eddies, and troughs are crucial holding water during this time period with both surface and subsurface patterns. Riffles are also fishing well with whitefish now spawning on shelves with shallow to moderate depths and moderate to fast current speeds.
Streamers are producing throughout the day but fishing has been best from around 10am until 3pm. Moderately sized baitfish imitations are producing in slow current side channels, riffle pools and seams. Larger patterns can produce along banks and structure. These larger patterns are also producing before 10am more so than moderately sized patterns.
South Fork
Fish are not quite in there winter pools for the year despite cooling water temps. A wide array of holding water are providing consistent action, including seams, riffle current margins, eddies. Midges and BWOS are the main fare on the surface, with the best action occurring from around noon until 5pm or so regardless of weather conditions. Subsurface action on BWO and midge imitations produces consistently from around 10am until late afternoon. As on the Snake, riffles are fishing well with these patterns, as well as roe imitations due to a surge in spawning behavior by whitefish.
Streamers are working when using floating lines or short sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range. Slow retrieves and slow water are key components for success. Target deep eddies and slow side channels with sufficient depths.