Fish report March 15, 2013
It is a pretty magical time of year to go to our rivers, pre
run-off. There is a lot going on. Where does one go on which day? The weather is making that decision
difficult. The day time temperatures
are almost too nice, and we could certainly use more precipitation. In the meantime go with the hand you are
dealt. There are many choices.
The Lower Big Lost is our favorite trout stream this time of
year. It is a very manageable 110
cfs. Slow enough for trout to rise to the
big blue wings and the large midges that hatch in March. Some days the hatch will be heavier than
others, but there will always be some trout looking to the surface or the film
fly. If no rising is evident a double
zebra outfit down and dirty with 5 ½ or 6X fluro will seal the deal. If there is surface activity I like a small
gulper special, parachute adams, or high vis baetis with a size 16 or 18
pheasant tail or even a midge emerger trailer on light tippets. Even though they can get picky at times, it
is some of the best trout fishing of the year.
Some fish are spawning. Let them
do it.
The Big Wood at Hailey is flowing about 20 cfs above normal
with the warm temperatures. Not much has
changed all winter here. Zebra midges
off a brassy or copper john, a girdle bug naked, a small dry with a zebra
trailer to the rising fish should match the hatch on most occasions. Below Magic is pretty accessible with the
roads drying. It is being fished pretty
hard, but works with streamers or small nymphs.
Keep abreast of the Wood River Land Trust’s efforts to add water to that
system. They can use your support. It
would be a real boon to the fishery, the economy, and the health of the stream
to have 25 cfs in the streambed instead of 5 cfs at this time of year.
Silver Creek is closed.
The Salmon River is flowing at 425 cfs at Yankee Fork today.
It is a bit above normal flows. The river is clear and fish are beginning to
show in the upper river above the East Fork.
Most steelhead are still down around North Fork, but the warm weather should
move them upstream. We still have some
openings at the lodge. Many nights are
full. Call the shop, 208-726-1706, for openings if you want a full service
steelhead excursion. We will treat you
with three great meals, a full day on the Salmon River, and a hot tub before
dinner. The Idaho Rivers United breakfast was
Wednesday morning. It played to a full
house once again. We very much support
their efforts to return wild salmon and steelhead to their natal Idaho waters.
There is enough to keep any angler busy right now, enjoy.
Tight loops and lines,
Scott Schnebly
Lost River Outfitters
