Snake River
An unusually warm winter continues and the fishing remains pretty solid. This coming week has the forecast well into the 40s most days. Chironomid larva/pupa imitations are still the main taker on the Snake, but BWO and smaller stonefly imitations are also working well. No sign of our February Capnia emergences yet, but with these warm temps they will probably be right around the corner. Riffles have been fun to fish with the best action happening in slow tailouts and at the heads (the latter in the afternoon primarily). Production can also be fan in seams and on side channels. Takes remain subtle, but that will change as water temps warm. Be on the ball either way.
Effective nymphs – Zebra Midges, Day-2 Midge Pupa, Ice Cream Cone Midges, Lightening Bugs, Booty’s Deep Stinker Nymph, BH Flashback Hares Ear Nymphs, and Flashback Prince Nymphs.
Effective Streamers – Lite Brite Zonkers, SRA Double Bunnies, Baby Bunnies, and Kreelux.
South Fork
Very warm temperatures on the South Fork. The best fishing continues to be on the upper reach in Swam Valley and on the lower reach below Kelly’s Island and down to Lorenzo. As on the Snake, production is best on midge, BWO, PMD, and smaller stonefly larva imitations. Surface action is happening intermittently on midge adult patterns. Shallow riffles are the best targets. Seams are also producing, as are flats in the afternoon hours. You do not have to go too deep on the South Fork at the moment, but if activity in the shallower pieces of the water column is slow, don’t be afraid to go a bit deeper.
Effective Nymphs – Zebra Midges, Bionic Midges, Copper Johns in black or red, Lightening Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Hickey’s Auto Nymph, Booty’s Deep Stinker Nymph, Pats Rubber Leg, BH Flashback Hares Ear Nymphs, and Flashback Prince Nymphs.
Effective streamers – Kreelux, Marabou Muddlers, Beldar Buggers, Quad Bunnies, and J.J. Specials.
Effective dry flies – Mating Midges, Krystal Wing Midge Emerger, Air-Flo Tricos, Furimsky BDEs, and Parachute Extended Body BWOs.