River Conditions
Flows on the South Fork bumped up this morning to 12,425 cfs. The river is running clear and cold, and the bump has fish settled deeper into the slower, softer water along the edges and inside seams. Nothing surprising here — keep your approach to the same kind of water you’ve been fishing the last couple weeks and you’ll find fish.
Weather
A genuinely beautiful stretch of weather lining up for the weekend. If you’ve been waiting for a window, this is it.
- Today: Mostly sunny, high near 68. West wind 11–14 mph with gusts to 22.
- Friday: Sunny, high near 71. Southeast wind shifting west in the afternoon, gusts to 21.
- Saturday: Sunny, high near 69. WNW wind 5–14 mph, gusts to 21.
- Sunday: Sunny, high near 77.
Tactics
With flows up at 12,425 cfs, this is mostly a subsurface game. Streamer fishing remains productive — strip them low and slow, let them hang in the soft water, and don’t be afraid of long pauses on the swing. Focus your drifts in the slow water types: buckets, tailouts, holes, seams, and eddies.
You may see a few Blue Winged Olives come off on the surface during cooler, overcast windows, but most fish are still looking down. Keep an eye out and have a few BWO patterns ready, but plan your day around nymphing and streamers.
Hatches
Midges all day, with a chance of BWOs during the cool, overcast pockets. Surface activity is sporadic — be ready to switch to dries if you see noses, but don’t expect a steady hatch yet.
Recommended Flies
Nymphs: Stonefly nymphs (Pat’s Rubberlegs in black, brown, coffee/black) #6–10, San Juan Worms in a variety of colors, egg patterns including the now super-popular Blob, Zebra Midges #18–20, Two Bit Hookers #18, Pheasant Tails #16–18
Worth a try: A Mop with a BWO dropper has been a productive combo.
Streamers: Sparkle Minnows, Dolly Llamas, Sculpzillas, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow — keep them deep, keep them slow
Dries (just in case): Small BWO patterns #18–20, Parachute Adams #18, Griffith’s Gnats #18–20
At the Fly Shop & Lodge
The Swan Valley Fly Shop is fully stocked and open 7 days a week, 8 AM to 4 PM. We’ve got everything you might need for a day on the river, plus a fresh batch of boat accessories in stock — drain plugs, oar locks, and more — to get your rig dialed in for the season. Don’t miss our Big Fly Sale going on right now. Swing by, or give us a call at 208.483.2727.
Shop online anytime at tlapcflyshop.com.
We’re now welcoming guests at the lodge with rooms and guides available through May. Lodging rates are excellent right now and the river is fishing well before the summer crowds arrive. Book a day trip or a stay by calling 208.483.2222.
Tight lines, and we’ll see you on the river.
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