Boise River, South Fork

GAGE LOCATION

DAY/YEAR
GRAPHS

CURRENT
STAGE/FLOW

WHAT TIME

S. Fork Boise near Featherville

7 30 year

1.88 /

7 pm

S. Fork Boise below Anderson Dam

7 30 year

2.92 / 304

6 pm

CITY

Mountain Home

NOAA

Accuweather

TWC

HATCH

NYMPH/
LARVA

PUPA/
EMERGER

DUN/
ADULT

EGG-
LAYER

Blue-winged olive

Spotted caddis

Green caddis

Golden stonefly

Salmonfly

Midge

Sculpin

Baitfish

The winter standards--blue-winged olives, midges, streamers--are the patterns of choice for the next two months, with the former two being most effective on warmer days. Black and brown are the two best color choices for streamers in this river. Cranefly larva patterns can work well, too.

When fishing with streamers, figure trout could be anywhere. During midge or blue-winged olives hatches, concentrate on the edges, fast/slow current seams, backeddies, and slower water. Look for topwater activity at midday in the slow backwaters.

Stonefly nymphs, such a Bitch Creek or Kaufmanns Stonefly, are useful in January. They're even better in February when the stonefly nymphs are more active. A golden stonefly imitation, such as a light brown or tan pattern in size 6-8 is a good choice. George's Brown Stonefly is a useful local pattern.

Most winter fishing is in the ten miles below Anderson Dam. If you're fishing the mainstem Boise in the town of Boise, try streamer patterns in the deeper pools.

See the Rivers in General section for additional tips.

For more on January tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report.