The Bureau of Reclamation increased flows out of Palisades Reservoir this week to 4,400 cfs. At this same point last year we were already up to 13,000 cfs. The water is clean and cold coming out of the reservoir. Nymphs and streamers will be your best bet from now until mid-June or so when the water warms enough for the first stoneflies of the season to hatch. It will be possible to catch fish in foam lines, riffles, back eddy’s etc. on midges and blue-winged olive dry flies if the conditions are just right.
A standard two nymph set up with a strike indicator has been the top performer this week. Large stonefly nymphs such as Pat’s Rubber Legs and Cheater Belly Stones in size 4-10, San Juan Worms, and a variety of small bead heads to imitate midges and blue-winged olives have been producing and as more and more rainbows move on to their reds egg patterns will do well. Streamers should be fished deep and slow with a focus on slower water where you can find it.
Thinks are picking up on the Snake River below American Falls as well. Flows there are now high enough to float. Nymphing is the go-to here as well with leeches and streamers performing well.
If you’re floating the South Fork Monday – Thursday here is the Idaho Fish and Game’s electrofishing schedule.
Plans for Rainbow Trout suppression in the South Fork Snake River in 2021, including the river section planned for suppression by day of the week.
| Day | River section | Launch site | Upstream boundary | Downstream boundary |
| Mon | 1 | Palisades Ramp | Palisades Dam | Palisades Creek |
| Tue | 2 | Spring Cr Ramp | Indian Creek | Ranger Station |
| Wed | 3 | Conant Ramp | Ranger Station | Pine Creek |
| Thu | 4 | Conant Ramp | Dry Creek | Lufkin Bottom |
They’ve been stocking the local ponds with rainbow trout from the South Fork. The pond in Swan Valley right by our new fly shop received 500 fish this week. This would be a great place to take a kid fishing this weekend.
If you need a license, shuttle, fishing tips, supplies etc. Swing by our new shop located at the Swan Valley General Store, 21 Skawal Lane on the corner of US HWY 26 and 31. You can also give us a call at the new fly shop 208.483.2727 or the lodge 208.483.2222.