General Report Synopsis
Anyone want to work for me for the next three months? We have now entered into the single best fishing season of the year. The next three months are simply as good as it gets in the West. When you're looking at lower stream flows, lots of hungry fish, spectacular scenery and outstanding fishing it kind of makes me want to stay inside and watch re-runs of political speeches on Youtube!
The South Fork of the Boise has seen flows decrease to around 1000 cfs this past week and is still in perfect shape for wading. Flows are expected to decrease further to around 600 cfs by mid month and down to 300 cfs in early October. Just a little side note: can we finally dispel the myth that flow decreases in the fall put off the fishing. The fish have continued to rise literally as the water was dropping all around them... it's not like they swim for a living or anything... enough said!
The Owyhee continues to fish very well. PMDs blue winged olives, and hoppers have been the stars of the show and there has even been some trico activity to keep the fish looking up. Mornings have some midge activity and nymphing, and as usual, streamers have been effective all day.
We are now moving into the prime season for Idaho's backcountry. If you don't mind outstanding fishing coupled with great scenery, now is the time to saddle the horse or lace up the hiking boots and hit the lesser know streams and lakes.
New Fishing Condition Ratings Posted with Reports:
= EXCELLENT FISHING
= GOOD FISHING
= FAIR FISHING
= NOT WORTH A DAMN...BUT STILL BETTER THAN WORK
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South Fork of the Boise River (Below Anderson)
Fishing Conditions:
click photo for a detailed report
- Common Species: Rainbow Trout / Bull Trout / Mountain Whitefish
- Details: Flows are now around 1000 cfs. Hoppers have been producing well along with decent Pink Cahill hatches in the afternoons. A few Flavs are out in the evenings. Blue Winged Olives are out in sporadic numbers, but this hatch will only build in strength over the next couple of weeks.
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The Owyhee River
Fishing Conditions:
click photo for a detailed report
- Common Species: Brown Trout / Rainbow Trout
- Details: The fishing has been good in the afternoons and in the evenings with PMDs, blue winged olives, and hoppers. Tricos and midges in the AM and streamers are productive when nothing is hatching.
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Silver Creek
Fishing Conditions:
click photo for a detailed report
- Common Species: Brown Trout / Rainbow Trout
- Details: The creek is fishing well these days. If you head up there, expect tricos in the AM followed by PMDs, baetis and a few mahoganies in the late morning and early afternoon. Don't forget about ants and beetles on windy afternoons.
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The Big Wood River
Fishing Conditions:
click photo for a detailed report
- Common Species: Rainbow Trout / Brown Trout / Mountain Whitefish
- Details: The Big Wood is in good shape. Tricos in the AM. Attractors and hoppers during the day- the Mr. Beam in tan is one of my favorite patterns for fishing on this river.
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The Henry's Fork
Fishing Conditions:
click photo for a detailed report
- Common Species: Rainbow Trout / Brown Trout
- Details: Expect to see tricos, mahoganies, and BWOs as the main hatches. Don't forget the terrestrials during the day.
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The Boise River (In Town)
Fishing Conditions:
click photo for a detailed report
- Common Species: Rainbow Trout / Brown Trout / Mountain Whitefish
- Details: Flows have dropped and the river is in prime shape. Fishing has been good in the AM and PM. Stiill a few trico hatching in the morning. There are hatches of caddis (AM and PM) and PMDs hatching in the evening. The rafting season is winding down so there will be a lot of good water available to fish with no pressure to dull your experience. Your standard nymph rigs (caddis larva w/copper john dropper) is always a good choice.
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The Upper South Fork of the Boise
Fishing Conditions:
click photo for a detailed report
- Common Species: Rainbow Trout / Kokanee Salmon (fall) / Mountain Whitefish
- Details: Fishing well. Lots of water to fish and attractor patterns are the rule here.
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The Middle Fork of the Boise
Fishing Conditions:
click photo for a detailed report
- Common Species: Rainbow Trout / Cutthroat Trout / Mountain Whitefish
- Details: Flows are perfect the fishing has been very good. Hopper and attractor fishing is outstanding.
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