Snake River

A little wetter and colder over the past two weeks, which has brought fishing conditions a wee bit closer to “normal conditions” for this time of winter.  Midges are the name of the game and begin to pop around noon each do and last until around 3pm (but can go past 4pm).  We are starting to see our first tiny brown stones of the year, with most being observed on the banks and not necessarily on the surface.  Decent fishing – both on the surface and with nymph rigs – is being had in ledge rock pools, eddies, on seams, and in ledge rock troughs.  Nymphs have been producing as early as 9:30 am regardless of air temps.

Small streamers are working in bits and pieces when fished along seams, in eddies, and in riffle pools.  Go with floating lines or short sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range and concentrate on slow retrieves primarily.

South Fork

Just about every accessible reach of the South Fork is fishing in at least decent fashion.  There have been some solidly good days over the past couple of weeks, especially when targeting eddies, seams, side channel confluences, and riffle pools.  Midges dominate the surface scene with 12 pm to 3:30 pm being the sweet spot most days. Below the surface, midge larva/pupa patterns are working in the same waters.  Mysis/scud imitations are also on the upper reach from the Dam down to Conant. 

Streamers are working best on the lower reaches but are definitely worth trying on the upper reach in Swan Valley.  Small to moderately sized patterns fished on floating lines are producing in riffles pools, along seams, in side channels, and along banks with slow to moderate currents.  Takes have been slow and non-committal at times, so be on the ball with your strip set.