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.

Fishing report 1/21/2014

Fishing report Jan. 22, 2014

To say our fishing has been and will be weather affected is an understatement this past year.  If the weather pattern doesn’t change it will carry into our summer and possibly future years.  A two thousand mile long, four mile high, high pressure system has been sitting off the Pacific coast for a year now.  If you recall, the last real wet westerly system we had in Idaho was in December of 2013.  Since then our storms have come from the north.  Typically they go east of Central Idaho and are fairly dry by the time they reach us.  The airflows over the summer came as monsoons from the south and with the thunderstorms creating lightning and our huge fire season.  September gave us big rain from the monsoonal flows, which, on top of bare burned ground, created mud flows into many of our watersheds.  Some of our rivers flowed black to dark brown for weeks.  The South Fork of the Boise was closed, the Big Wood unfishable, and the doomsday predictors said everything in the rivers died.  All the bugs and fish were gone.  Recovery would take years.  Happy to report that is not the case.  Long term the carbon in the streams will be good.  We should have more plant growth, more food for the insects, and therefore better growth for the fish.  The Yellowstone fires in the 1980’s were a good example of that very thing.

In the mean time we are only about 50% precipitation of average in Idaho.  We need water for our fish and crops, and winter sports.  Hopefully the weather pattern will change.  We are not the only western state affected.  Here is our mid winter fishing report.

Big Wood River

The September floods did result in some dead fish.  It seems whitefish were found dead as well as some trout.  We could have lost some young of the year fingerlings as well, which will show up in a couple of years.  This winter guide season has been productive however. Some afternoon days producing 20-40 fish for those who don’t mind nymphing.  There has been some rising to midges in soft water, with hatches heavy enough for the trout to be selective in some instances. Midge hatches should increase in February. A few of the rainbows are thin, no doubt due to the stress of the flood and dark water, but many are fat and healthy.  Due to low snowpack the river is easily accessible and many days on the water have been above 32 degrees, so iced guides not much of a problem.  Below Magic Reservoir fish have survived near the dam.  They are thin due to the stress of having spent the latter part of the summer in warm water and probably competing for food.  Those fish are the seed to repopulate the system when water flows return to a more normal state.  Please treat them gently and release.

Silver Creek

If you are in the area you should stop by Kilpatrick Bridge to see the progress of the Silver Creek project.  We should see the waters below the pond improve in water quality and fish populations as a result.  It is pretty an amazing change already.  Although the water gauge says frozen, the creek is not.  The best approach is streamer fishing this time of year.  Try a black leech or bugger or a Philo Betto to entice the larger browns and rainbows this time of year.  Floating lines are fine.  We should see some midge hatches in February, with occasional rising.

The Lower Big Lost

The Lower Lost is flowing at 75 cfs today.  It was too low when it was first shut off flowing in the high 50’s.  The pools were ponds and all of the fish that would take were stuffed into the riffle water at the heads of the pools.  Nymphing the moving water is the most productive this time of year.  Pheasant tails, zebra midges in the riffle waters with 5 and 6X fluorocarbon is a good choice.  In the faster rocky runs a stonefly nymph is always a good choice.  Look for the midge hatches to improve as the winter goes on and we can always count on the March baetis for a good dry fly fix.

South Fork of the Boise

 This is a different river after the floods.  If you get a chance, it is worth a drive into the canyon.  Boulders the size of trailer houses came down the mountain and changed the river.  I had a chance to fish it a few weeks ago and although it suffered the same fate as the Big Wood, there were some very healthy and large trout, and even a number of whitefish to the nymph.  There is some rising to midges and look for the tiny baetis to bring fish to the surface in the very soft pools.    

Steelhead

Although our steelhead run is not big this year, it is better than twenty years ago.  Somewhat less than 110,000 fish have reached Idaho so far.  Reports are that the Snake and the Clearwater are giving up some winter fish to some hardy spey casters.  We are booking the Stanley Steelhead Lodge now, and have taken a number of early dates in late March and April.  If you have specific dates or requested guides it would be a good time to call the shop and get on the book.  208-726-1706

Lost River Events

Fly tying classes

Fly tying classes begin in February.  There is a sign-up sheet on the counter.  Cost is $20/class.  Materials provided.  Beginner to steelhead intruder classes offered.

Fly fishing film Waypoints

Benefit for the Nature Conservancy’s restoration project. Fly fishing film, Waypoints, will be presented by Lost River Outfitters and Waterworks-Lamson at the Next Stage Theatre on Jan. 24^th at 6:30 pm.   Raffle prizes include Smith sunglasses, a Waterworks reel, Ex-Officio shirt, men’s and women’s Scottevests, men’s and women’s wool base layer from First Light, a gift certificate from Enoteca, among others.   Raffle tickets are $5.00.   

A beer and wine reception begins at 6:30.  Tickets are $10, or six for $50 and are available at Lost River Outfitters.

Yellowstone Park Fishing Adventures

Yellowstone Park Fishing Adventures

We are booking our June and September Yellowstone trips now. Some dates are taken.  If you have not fished Yellowstone Park it you owe it to yourself. It is our domestic “international” fishing adventure, and is much more than just a fishing trip.  We make lodging arrangements and can help with your airline connections. If you are interested send me an email at scott@lostriveroutfitters.com and we will get you a photo album, details, costs and answer your questions.

Fish far and fine,

Scott Schnebly   

News from the store:

The new Patagonia Women’s fishing line is in!

Patagonia is introducing a new W’s wader, fishing jacket, and other W’s specific clothing items and we have the waders and jackets in stock!

The drop seat wader has many great features! One of the greatest innovations is the drop seat, making it possible to attend to Nature’s call in relative privacy and without removing your jacket! Come on in and check them out!

I will post more about these waders on our next blog! And, we’ll have another ladies night soon!

We also have the new Winston Boron III LS in stock now! Not only does this rod cast like a dream, it is also the sexiest rod Winston has come out with!

Stop in and cast this great new stick! We’ll gladly take you outside and let you try it! It’s always fun to cast a new rod, and the boys and gals in our shop would love to go out into the sunshine and let you play around a bit!

I am at the OR Show in Salt Lake right now and will report back next week.

Remember, if we don’t have what you’d like, we’ll gladly order it for you!

Susanne   Susanne@lostriveroutfitters.com

 w's wader video