Fishing Reports

South Fork

Most of us have been complaining about the terrible weather our region has been experiencing lately.  That weather includes rain and snow, all blown around by cold, strong winds.   But this cloud has a great silver lining in that snow pack in the Snake River drainage is now over 100% of normal.   Here’s why we discuss this good news in the fishing report.  If you are planning a visit from outside the immediate area to fish the South Fork, 100% of normal pack this late in the snow season greatly increases the chance that the river will have flows adequate through the summer to keep water cool  for good fishing.   Of course, this must be combined with a temperate springtime that keeps water in the reservoir system longer.  It is our practice to  keep on top of  flows in the river and report them here when significant changes occur.  But adding good snow pack news this time of year gives you even more information for making plans.

South Fork 4-22

Flows have been increased to 3,700 cfs. Fishing should stabilize in a few days. Streamer fishing has been picking up and so have egg patterns. With the rainbow spawn almost ready to take off fishing glo bugs and various egg patterns this time of year is very productive. Remember to present those streamers in a slow motion for the best results.

South Fork 4-18

It appears they have leveled out the flows on the South Fork for the last 24 hours. We can’t say weather or not this will stay at this level for long. The current flows are 3,000 cfs.

With the rise of the water levels the water temp in the river has most likely dropped. Nymphing is going to be your best tactic for catching fish. Lengthen those leaders to get down where the fish are, they haven’t moved the river just got deeper is all. Glo bugs, zebra midges, BWO nymphs and stonefly nymphs are sure to hook some trout. Unless the weather starts to warm up considerably the Blue Wing Olive hatches will be sparse and non existent.

South Fork 4-16

Well everyone the time has come and the water flow has been increased. The increase from yesterday afternoon and this morning has brought the river up to 2,000 cfs. We don’t know how high they will increase the river at this point, but as soon as it levels off we will be updating this report. For the next few days I would look to go fishing on the Henry’s Fork.

South Fork 3-16-13

A couple of days ago we floated from Lorenzo to Menan and were happy to see that the new ramp being built below Lorenzo. It will be on the south side of the river and access will be from the Lorenzo/Menan highway.  We don’t know the exact date that it will open but we will let when it is. In the meantime there is a 3 foot ledge of ice sitting on the ramp at current launch site. In order to put in you have to push the boat down over the ice ledge. Getting a boat out will take some extra rope and a good push by two folks on the back end of the boat. Then ice hopefully will melt in a week or so.

South Fork 3-15

Fishing has been really good on the river for this time of year. Nymphing has producing the most fish. Jimmy saw a nice midge hatch on Wednesday on the river with fish rising on the surface. Streamer fishing is still and can be effective. Fish the deep slow to non-moving pools. We like to fish a full sinking line with a streamer, remember slow retrieve is the ticket with streamers.

As far as floating is concerned here is some information on the following boat ramps. You can take out at Conant but you will need chains and a rope. Wolf to Byington is a good float. Lorenzo boat ramp is almost impossible to take out but you can launch a boat over the ice. Menan is easy to take out as well. So your floats are Wolf to Byington and Lorenzo to Menan and Irwin to Conant. If you have questions feel free to give us a call.