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South Fork of the Snake River Fishing Report 9/24/20

south fork of the snake brown trout

Thank you for checking in on this week’s fishing report. A quick note before we dive in we’ve got availability for guides and lodging through the end of the season and starting October 1st our dining room will be open for reservations. Call Justin at 208.360.3606 to make a reservation.

Fall has arrived here in Swan Valley with some great weather and fall foliage. The weather may be a bit too good and I think guides, fish, and bugs are awaiting the next low-pressure system to roll into Idaho. In the meantime, here’s what’s happening on the South Fork of the Snake.

River Flow: Flows came down a bit from 6,700 cfs to 6,000 cfs.

Weather: Warm days and smoky skies continue with a slight chance of afternoon showers for Saturday.  Flip flop weather continues!  Weather-wise it really doesn’t get much better but unfortunately, this weather is also making the fishing slower than we’d like, especially during the hottest/brightest times of the day.

Fishing & Flies: The best fishing right now is early morning or later towards evening.  For the dedicated early riser fishing from first light until around 11:00 has been productive with mutant goldens stones.  Fish your favorite Chernobyl Ant style foam bug with a skitter off of shallow gravel bars.  The mutant golden stones hide under rocks near the shore and the fish near these shores are laying in wait.  As the sun comes up and the day warms fishing two nymphs have been the most successful setup.  Small bead head nymphs that represent BWO and Mahogany Duns are working well (size 16-20).  We are also catching fish on small stonefly nymphs and san juan worms.  If you’re staying out past 5 or 6 o’clock then it’s streamer time as the light fades, olive and black conehead or dumbbell-eyed wooly buggers have been working well.

We’ve got all the hot flies and gear you might need at our fly shop open daily or give us a call at 208.483.2222