First Fishing report for 2015

January 19, 2015 Lost River Outfitters Fishing Report

Comfort has returned for the mid winter angler.  Around the holidays the mercury dropped to zero and below at night and barely 10 degrees in the daytime.  Result was shelf ice to begin, then anchor ice from below, then flowing slush, and finally even the fast flowing Big Wood River froze over in many places.  Except for the Nature Conservancy water, Silver Creek was a solid ribbon of ice. You could make it work if you found open water, but only to say you did, at 4 below zero.  Temperatures have moderated to just freezing night time and at or above freezing daytime.  Pleasant.  Although we have not experienced a huge storm yet this winter we are building precious water.  Snow water equivalent is around 103% as of today and precipitation to date is just under 100%.  That is for the Big Wood, Big Lost and Little Wood drainages.  The small storms are adding up.  We can hope for a big dump or just keep the small ones coming.  Statewide we are looking better than we have for a few years. Here is the first fish report of 2015.

Big Wood

Although the Big Wood water gauge in Hailey is still ice affected, I would venture to say that it is flowing below 150 cfs.  Water clarity is good.  There is some slick, sticky, mud from the flash floods of last August and September so take some care in wading.  Nymphing is still the best fish catching technique to be had on the Wood until the midges begin in earnest.  Big black or brindle girdle bugs, weighted, or a small weighted double nymph rig.  4X can be used with the size 10-12 stonefly imitations and 5X-6X with the baby nymphs.  Brassies, Anato mayfly nymphs, copper johns, zebras, two bit hookers, beaded pheasant tails are all good choices for the small flies.  Keep your indicator 8-9 feet from your bugs.  You get better depth and drift presentations that way.  There has been some spotty midge rising, but not enough to get me to change over yet.  It also appears we have a smaller population of catchable trout in the Wood this winter probably because of some attrition due to the dark water issues it has suffered the last two falls with thunderstorm floods on the fire ground.  There are still some nice fish to be had, but be very content with a dozen landings in an afternoon rather than the four dozen hookups you have had in past years.  Best time is still 11:00 to 4:00 pm.

Lower Big Wood below Magic

The lower Wood is flowing at 2.2 cfs, which is about normal for this time of year.  This water also froze solid during the cold weather over Christmas.  The fish in the canyon were stressed last summer due to low, warm water conditions. They are fine now with the oxygen levels higher now in the cold flows.  Although streamer fishing is effective for the larger rainbows and browns in that reach, I prefer hanging a scud imitation, midge imitation, or small weighted nymph under an indicator for more constant results.  The fish in the pools are constantly moving to forage and will find your hanging nymph.  Just try to figure out the proper depth and you will have good success.  On bright days I go deeper, on cloudy windy days shallower.  Generally the nymph should be 3-6 feet beneath your indicator.  You probably want to concentrate on the pools close to the dam.

Silver Creek

The Silver Creek water gauge is also ice affected.  Silver Creek was bank to bank ice over the holidays.  The channel should be open enough to cast streamers today.  Black Buggers and Philo Betto sculpin imitations are our favorites this time of year for both browns and rainbows.

Lower Lost

The Lower Lost is flowing at 88 cfs today, which is good winter flow.  It was down to 55 cfs after irrigation season.  It is too early for baetis to show, but midges should start to attract attention on most days.  Afternoon is usually prime time in the winter on the lower Lost.  Until you see some surface activity you can dredge the deeper pools using a small double nymph rig with one being a green, tan, or black zebra or use a size 10-12 golden stone or black stone imitation.  This set up is very similar to the Big Wood.  When there is surface activity a Wullf adams or purple haze in size 14 with a size 18-20 zebra dropper 10-18 inches down, fished into the heads of the pools in the riffle water can be effective if not deadly.  Presentation can be critical, be aware of drag.

South Fork Boise

The South Fork is flowing at about 305 today.  It is easy to cross and move around at this level.

Reports are that fishing is a bit spotty this winter, similar to the Big Wood.  There have been some large trout caught this winter, however.  Use girdle bugs in the rocky faster reaches drifting the seams and slower moving currents and fish small weighted midge imitations into the heads and riffles and you should have success.  Try to pick a sunny day the inversions have created some cold days in the canyon.

Steelhead

Our spring steelhead season is shaping up to be a good run this year.  Nearly 165,000 fish have crossed Lower Granite dam.  We had a very good fall trip to Riggins this year, hooking over 50 steelhead during the first week of November.   Most of the rivers in northern Idaho have risen this past week making fly rodding a challenge.  The Clearwater is flowing at 9-10,000 right now and is much better at 7,000 cfs.  The Snake is flowing at 27,700.  The Salmon at Riggins is 5,140.  The Little Salmon is at 345 cfs but is very nymphable at that level.  Just add a couple more splits to your Skykomish Sunrise or large Prince nymphs.  Pick a warm day and head to Challis or Salmon and you should be able to swing one up.  Sink tips will help get the fly closer to the fish in the cold water conditions.  We are now booking the Stanley Steelhead lodge for March and April.  Give us a call if you might want to bring a group or your fishing partner for a memorable adventure on the Salmon River surrounded by the spectacular Sawtooth Mountains.

Fish far and fine,

Scott Schnebly

Lost River Outfitters


News from the store:

  We have just received new merchandise from Patagonia, new Nano Air Hooded Jackets, jackets , and vests.....these new items are great for high aerobic output activities such as skate skiing, snow shoeing, back country skiing. The great new face fabric is breathable! Come check it out. Everyone who owns one of these great jackets loves them! For the non-aerobic portion of your adventure, all you have to add is a wind proof shell and you now have a toasty warm jacket. This is a new exciting layering piece.

Don't forget to book your steelhead fishing adventure at our Stanley Steelhead Lodge! Space is limited , so the time to boo this is now.

Our other fun adventure trip is a multi-day trip to Yellowstone Park. Lodging fills up fast, so plan theses trips now. We like to go to the West side of the park in June and go to the NE corner in September.

Also do not forget about back-packing/fishing trips to the Pioneer mountains. We bring back packing float tubes and can hire mules to pack in all of our gear. We can do ladies only trips or trips for families or children.

For winter excitement we offer winter guide trips with all gear and flies included in the price. If you like to combine a fishing day with a ski day, we'll gladly pick you up at the bottom of River Run.