The Boise River Fishery

What Are You Sinking About?

2012-05-16T19:36:00.002-06:00

A sinking fly is closer to hell. Figuratively, I suppose yes it is. I sometimes feel like I've cheated when I use one on trout...though I don't feel as though I've sinned.

Some gorgeous takes from the Swedes at frontsidefly. Not a bad song either.

Today's Rant

2012-05-04T23:49:00.003-06:00

The technological age of instant information arrived some number of years ago. There's no going back.

In recent times also, many see the "quiet sport" differently. It's extreme, combined best with white water and a lot of canned beer. It's a numbers game, number of fish hooked or caught...no matter the method or location. It's also apparently a chance to get to the end result with free or instant information. Information that's just a click away or sitting in hard copy on a fly shop's counter.

The fly fishing retail industry thrives on the guy who wants to know where to stand, what fly to use, and when to go. The water may be teeming with feeding fish right in front of him, and it would still do him no good. He's a "sport".

The sports don't bother me. They'll either learn the rules and get better, or get out of the game. Eventually, if they figure it out, the challenge is no longer catching a fish, but finding the fish you want to catch, preferably in solitude.

It's the transplanted pimps selling hard-earned information that bothers me. Writing about guided destinations with miles of water and thousands of trout is one thing. (Those places and the people who make their livings there are wonderful.) Whoring out little streams with small populations of native trout is another. Publishers of those spots were either tragically born without a conscience, did not spend any time themselves become "experts" on their subjects, or are really hard up for a little income.

It's quite simple. Nobody owns the water. America is great because of free press. But scheduling a time to step into the box is for golf, not for fishing a small stream miles from the pavement.

If you fish, think about a different approach. Let your subscription run out, then take on some waters you've never even thought about fishing. You'll be a better fisherman for it, and the sport will be benefit too.

Stream "X"

Season Closed

2012-04-10T22:21:00.000-06:00

Some rivers in Idaho closed on April 1. "Opening day" is May 26...and the snowpack is so far much closer to a normal year. June should not be blown out.

Did you get in your licks before it closed? Rain and snow in March (and early reservoir release) seemed to kept the crowds down.

The Only Boat on the SF Boise this particular Saturday

Snake River White Sturgeon

2012-02-04T21:13:00.001-07:00

Sturgeon factoids: Idaho's white sturgeon are found in the Kootenai, Lower Salmon, and Snake Rivers. It is North America's largest fresh water game fish. Coastal white sturgeon are anadromous and can be legally harvested with certain restrictions. Idaho has not allowed sturgeon harvest since 1970.

I've never even seen one of these prehistoric bottom dwellers in the wild. In fact, I don't think I've tried caviar. I'll do both eventually.

These photos were given to me by a friend whose family homesteaded along the Snake River in Southern Idaho.

2010 Boise River Population Results

2012-01-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

A good number of people reminded me this weekend at the Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo that I have failed to post lately. February always brings renewed dry fly activity. I’ll being cleaning my over-and-under 20 gauge and locking it up in a couple more weeks. Thanks for staying with me.

Great news on the Boise River, and not unexpected to those of you who fish it, who know it, and who have realized its potential. The rainbow population has reached high levels not recorded in prior Lower Boise River population studies. Brown trout, on the other hand, have really suffered.

As part an attempt to once again bolster the browns, the IDFG released over 15,000 adipose-clipped fingerling browns in both 2009 and 2010. (They actually did it again in 2011, but the population survey was conducted in October 2010.) Only five of these fish were captured in the study. And very few existing wild browns were captured either. The data indicates that one of these browns in the middle section of river was nearly 30”, however.

IDFG Southwest Region 2010 Annual Fisheries Report

Also perhaps of interest in the annual report: there are approximately 5 million pounds of carp in Lake Lowell. I think 5 million pounds of mallards used to winter there when we had a better migration flyway.

Abundant high water and main-stem spawning has really helped Boise River rainbows. What a great opportunity to implement a catch-and-release, no bait regulation on several miles of river (from Barber Park to Broadway, ideally). This portion of the river has the biological capability to become a quality destination.

Time to protect what mother nature is trying so hard to give us.

IDFG Angler Opinion Survey

2012-01-02T08:57:00.006-07:00

Be sure to complete the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Angler Opinion Survey. Your opinion matters to the future of fisheries management in Idaho.

You'll want to answer Question #13, which reads, "Scientific study has demonstrated that most hooking related fishing mortality is related to where the fish is hooked (jaw, gills, stomach) and is not related to the use of barbed or barbless hooks. Because barbless hooks are an unnecessary restriction to achieve management and conservation goals, the Department is considering removing barbless hook restrictions in trout fisheries. Anglers could continue to voluntarily use barbless hooks if they desire. Would you support or oppose the elimination of mandatory barbless hook restrictions in Idaho trout fisheries?"

The preface of this question assumes that all hooks are created equally. By hooking fish after they swallow bait, gear anglers using barbless treble hooks have a much higher mortality incidence than single-hook artficial flies and lures. The survey question is poorly worded as it "baits" the person taking the survey. Single barbless hooks slide out of a fish's jaw much easier than barbed ones, there's no arguing that. Large, barbed hooks (single or treble) do damage to trout, particularly juvenilles.

The IDFG does a nice job of managing quality trout fisheries in the state. But they are very misguided if they think a sweeping regulation change to allow barbed hooks in all trout water is justifiable.

Trico's in October?

2011-10-17T22:15:00.001-06:00

Had some amazing trico fishing last Saturday...and not on Eastern Oregon's brown trout tailwater. 70 degrees again this coming week. That's a little warmer than normal, but by now I'm usually searching for baetis. #22 trico spinners when the air temperture reaches the mid-60's will do.

Just about every hatch this year was delayed. Then when they got going, they've seemingly hung on longer. Facinating how nature is cyclical yet so unique each season.

The Missouri

2011-08-23T12:42:00.000-06:00

Spent a few days gleaning all that the Missouri River and Craig, Montana have to offer. We didn't travel there to simply catch fish, else we would have nymphed. We did not throw streamers…not that I’m opposed to that. No, we hunted large, garbage feeding rainbows and browns in soft water sipping an assortment of spinners and other decomposing mayflies and caddis.

Having Henry's Fork Foundation founder Mick Mickelson row my boat for two days didn’t hurt either.

If you want to test your dry fly ability and fish approaching skills, fish the Missouri in August. If you get there and need a bit of help, stop by and see the crew at Headhunters Flyshop.

Also, be sure to eat and drink at Izaak's. Hard-working staff, great food and riverside atmosphere.

She Goes Down

2011-07-27T22:50:00.002-06:00

Your drift boat if you hit a boulder with the broad side in swift current, that is.

There have been a couple wreckages on the South Fork of the Boise this month. If you've never rowed a river before and somebody tells you that the South Fork "is no problem", they're not being truthful. There are easier rivers to float in order to get the feel for handling a drift boat or pontoon. The river has a decent gradient, but there are no serious hazards in the upper stretch unless you either panic or are asleep. Below Cow Creek, there are some rock gardens above and below Pine Hole. And you need to line up on Pine Hole correctly to push through (there's a huge rock on the right - go left).

The best thing you can do is to practice on a mellow river or a lake, and take your first trip down the South Fork with somebody who has some experience.

Caddis, sallies, PMD's and baetis. If you're not fishing the Boise River in town after work right now, you're missing out. The high spring runoff has the wild rainbows healthy and strong, and the hatches are going off all at once.

Unique Spot Markings on a Wild Boise River Rainbow in Town

No In-Town Fishing this Month

2011-06-27T15:42:00.000-06:00

Have you ever failed at something that you have plenty of experience doing? Managing reservoir levels ultimately must come down to a bit of a guessing game.

There are plenty of options for fishing right now. The Boise River in town is not one of them.

Got off to a good start this summer. I love the solstice.

26" Rainbow (he did not eat a dry)

Are We There Yet?

2011-06-09T17:36:00.000-06:00

Certain days on the calendar provoke fishing trips for many. For some, that day is the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Others fish on New Year’s Day in a manner of tradition. The summer solstice beckons me to the water - it falls on June 21 this year. It is the longest day of the year where we live, with 16 hours of generous daylight. That’s three times as many fishing hours in one day compared to winter!

The solstice also means the beginning of summer….

Reggae music.

Lime juice on grilled chicken and in stirred drinks.

Charcoal-cooked red meat.

Wet wading.

Homework-free kids and a sleepy dog.

And carp on the fly, at least until these swollen rivers subside to dry fly levels.

Snake River Buglemouth

Fred Putting One in the Boat

Flood Threat Subsides

2011-05-31T17:48:00.002-06:00

Since May 16, the inflow to the Boise River reservoir system has dropped significantly. The Middle Fork, for example, is approaching more normal flows. Perhaps the river in town will start dropping within a couple of weeks. That likely depends on how much precipitation we receive in early June.

Today, Arrowrock is at 65% of capacity, Lucky Peak is 74%, and Anderson Ranch is 83%.

By no means was the May 16 analysis a prediction of flooding. It was simply a look at what it would take to fill the reservoirs in a relatively short period of time, and the potential downstream consequences.

River fishing is still a ways out.

M. Fork Boise Since May 16

Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-29T23:29:00.002-06:00

Fort Boise Military Cemetary

If you own an American flag, remember to display it on Monday. Pay tribute to this great nation, and those who have served to protect it.

Could the Boise River Flood?

2011-05-16T21:20:00.003-06:00

The last year the Boise River overflowed its banks and engulfed residences and streets was 1943. The river spilled over the top of Arrowrock dam and more than 14,000 cfs raged through town. That event lead to the construction of Lucky Peak dam around 1955. According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the flood began on April 1 and was “the result of rapid snowmelt augmented by light rainfall”.

Boise River above East ParkCenter Bridge - May 16, 2011

Snowpack levels are only one variable in water management. Natural runoff is ultimately dictated by mother nature, and is difficult to predict. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report for May 1, 2011 shows that the Boise River basin snowpack is only slightly above normal. This is surprising since many areas of the state are 150-200% of normal, such as the Upper Snake and Payette River basins. So while Boise residents have that in their favor, it is still snowing at moderate elevations and raining in the valleys.

The Bureau of Reclamation and US Corps of Engineers have been releasing additional water since late March to provide reservoir capacity. Today, Arrowrock is 56% full, Anderson Ranch is 81%, and Lucky Peak is 69%. In all, this means there is 280,000 acre ft of remaining storage. With the recent warm weather and rain, the natural inflow has suddenly shot up to 18,800 cfs. The comfortable Boise River flow to prevent flooding is 7,000 cfs, where it is today. The New York canal is running at 2,250 cfs. So the net inflow to the reservoirs is 9550 cfs. If those conditions persist at roughly the same levels, the reservoirs will reach capacity in 15 days, or on May 31.

[(280,000 acre ft)(43,560 cubic ft/acre ft)]/[(9550 cfs)(86,400 seconds/day)] = 15 days

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), water may begin flowing down ParkCenter Blvd at 9,500 cfs, but should remain below most residential areas. At 10,500 cfs, flooding of residences near the river is likely. At 12,000 cfs, ParkCenter pond is now connected to the river. And at 16,000 cfs, we have major flooding.

Since May 3, the Middle Fork of the Boise River has gone from 2,000 cfs to nearly 10,000 cfs. If and when the reservoirs upstream reach capacity, what goes in must come out.

Duh, I Am Spinning

2011-04-05T17:33:00.003-06:00

What was the name of the town in High Plains Drifter starring Clint Eastwood? Answer: Lago.

Stillwater may be the best fishing option for the next couple months.

The Stranger Overlooking Lago

The Good
Major League Baseball season.
This year's snowpack.
Dry flies.... Still-borns, cripples, emergers, knock-downs, duns, spinners, anything on or near the surface.

The Bad
Springtime winds, especially when fishing stillwater.
Butler's field goal percentage in the NCAA championship game.
Owyhee River water management.

The Ugly
Charlie Sheen and Barry Bonds - just go away like OJ eventually did.
Your office guy who never walks anywhere without his ipod plugged into his ears.
Spring steelhead fishing for last year's summer runs. Just say no.

Milt them for all they're worth.

Heart of the Forest

2011-03-24T09:58:00.000-06:00

This video was put together by Steve Smede, a college friend from the University of Idaho. The stunning scenery reminds me that fly fishing sometimes serves as a diversion…a secondary means of taking us to unforgettable locations. It is always about far more than just the fish.

Heart of the Forest from Smede Lightworks on Vimeo.

Knot Sense

2011-03-21T11:21:00.000-06:00

Here's a list of the knots I use. It's a good time of year to check your line, leader, and backing connections.

Blood Knot - I use this exclusively for mono to mono connections, 7x to 25lb Maxima. Some like a surgeon's knot, but the blood knot is reliable and streamlined.

Nail Knot - Butt section to fly line connection. I still use the tool, and treat the tag end with a dab of Hard As Hull to seal the line core. Prevents it from getting waterlogged and sinking.

Clinch Knot - Dry fly connection. Not the improved clinch, don't like the bulk or the way it tightens down. A standard clinch will do.

Albright Knot - Fly line to backing, and far better than a nail knot for this connection.

Rapala Knot - Streamer, steelhead fly, and sometimes wet fly/nymph connections. Keeps the fly swimming, especially when swinging a spey pattern.

Perfection Loop - Nice quick knot for monofilament loop connections. The rapala knot can double for this purpose too though.

When I create sink tip sections, I'll tie two back-to-back nail knots with 1x Maxima over the top of a folded-back section of the tip.

Animated (Fishing) Knots is an excellent online resource.

Finally...

2011-03-06T19:49:00.001-07:00

Fishing is turning on as water temps are up a degree or two. The Boise River green color is slowly clearing up. Elsewhere, midge action is improving.

Micah Lauer tagged a nice wild bow in town last week.

I enjoyed a 22-22 club day with my dad. Think Gnatalie dries. Some of the bigger fish are skinny, but they'll put on weight in a few more weeks.

Senate Bill 1095 - Safe Boating

2011-03-04T11:52:00.002-07:00

I'm all for safe boating and requiring that kids and poor swimmers wear life jackets in my drift boat. During winter or in high, cold water, I will wear one myself. It is a judgement call.

If it passes, Senate Bill 1095 will require that life jackets no longer be stowed in lock boxes or under enclosed bench seats. They'll need to be on the floor getting wet, tripping you up, and catching your fly line.

Photo courtesy of Big Sky Fishing

Why do kayakers refer to themselves as "boaters", who know how to "boat"? Can you put a motor on a kayak? Do you need a trailer to haul one?

Kayaks are not boats, they're kayaks. And kayakers are paddlers.

Wonder Wax

2011-02-20T22:39:00.001-07:00

I'm approaching the end of my last tube of Overton's Wonder Wax. This the dubbing wax to which all others are compared. That is of course if you are old enough to have used it. I'm not exactly sure when it went out of production, but I believe it was 10-20 years ago.

Some tiers are going through great lengths to achieve Overton's sticky but smooth texture. Toilet ring wax is the base ingredient. I will probably get by with Wapsi wax for awhile.

Keep the cap tight on your Overton's if you value it like I do mine.

The Original and Best

Size/Stage/Presentation/Color

2011-02-02T15:12:00.002-07:00

Are you new to building a collection of fly boxes? New to tying? Or are you an old-timer fixed in your ways who fishes only a set of imitations? Gaining confidence in any pattern is the key to keeping it in your box. I like adding a couple patterns or more every year. There is satisfaction in finding a new fly to fool fish…and then sharing it with your fishing partners.

No matter what your approach is, there is never a single pattern that is the only one for the situation. What matters for selective trout is size, stage, presentation, and color. All four are not likely critical at the same time, but situations exist where they all do matter. And those are the fish I want to stick.

Size - #18 vs. #16 can make all the difference, especially with mayflies. A #8 vs. #10 hopper while prospecting for cutts in the summer? Not going to matter. I am now tying small stuff on TMC 102Y’s to fill in the size gaps.

Stage – If you can’t tell whether trout are inhaling emergers or sipping duns, and you fish the wrong one, you may as well be chucking a Daredevil spoon at them. Do you see snouts? Or only caudal fins? Put your head near the water surface – what species and stages of bugs do you see?

Presentation – Probably the most unforgiving element if you do it wrong. Don’t ask a trout to fight through your leader to get to the fly. Don’t let the current drag your fly. Don’t get too close to the fish. Don’t line the fish. If you drop a trailer fly, don’t fish a beacon Chernobyl ant as your point fly during a PMD spinner fall.

Color – Subtle differences are usually okay. A pardo/CDC caddis pattern works as a yellow sally imitation. But then again caddis can be black, olive, brown, orange, cream…and everything in between those color spectrums. For streamers, color can be huge depending on the baitfish in the system. Color is such a wildcard. This is a fun variable to play with when tying, so experiment.

Use a tippet size one stronger than you think you need. Get 'em in and let 'em go.

Will you be a better fisherman in 2011? Start thinking about how you’re going to get there.

Wintergreen

2011-02-01T22:47:00.000-07:00

Ever since the Boise River saw 1200cfs in the middle of January, it has been running off color. Not the muddy spring runoff associated with high water and snow melt, but an Owyhee River green. The difference is the browns in the Boise don't know how to react to this.

I drove up to Diversion dam at lunch today. The water above the dam is clear, and the flow coming out of the southwest side below is green. There is a lot of old moss covering the dam, but this just isn't normal for winter.

Do you know the answer to when this crud will clear up?

2010 Preliminary Boise River Population Survey Results

2011-01-27T11:20:00.001-07:00

In October 2010, the IDFG conducted its electroshock fish population survey on the Boise River in town. The final report from the fishery biologists is still in progress, but Art Butts in Nampa was kind enough to share some preliminary highlights.

The biologists are primarily interested in wild rainbow and brown trout, mountain whitefish, and hatchery rainbows. While pikeminnows and suckers were present, data representing those two species was not recorded.

2010 was not a good recruitment year for wild trout or whitefish. In other rivers such as the South Fork of the Boise, fingerlings are found in many types of holding water. This has never been the case in the Boise River, however. Art is tentatively planning to check each year for young fish going forward to better understand recruitment and holding patterns of yearling fish.
Brown trout populations are predominantly down from 2007 for all age classes.
Until 2009, brown trout had not been stocked in the river since 1998. In July 2009, 15,010 fingerling browns were stocked, and in July 2010, another 18,713. To distinguish these trout from wild browns, many were lacking adipose fins when released. The overall survival rate of these browns appears to be quite low.
On the bright side, catchable wild rainbows are doing well, with higher numbers in the middle section of the river. The number of rainbows in the 6-12" range is up from 2007.
Mountain whitefish numbers are relatively unchanged from 2004, and they are the dominant species in the river in terms of quantity.

Releasing a Wild Boise River Rainbow

Gnatalie

2011-01-22T21:41:00.004-07:00

The Idaho Angler on Vista Ave. now carries Gnatalie dry flies. This go-to winter fly was one of the patterns I tied at the Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo last weekend. I used TMC/Tiemco 100's in #20 and #22 for the shop's stock. The fly also has a nice profile on a TMC/Tiemco 206BL.

Temps will be in the low 40's this week. Give them a try.

Final Day of Christmas Break

2011-01-04T22:57:00.000-07:00

Please Don't Fall!

Even though temperatures haven't been above freezing lately, when the sun was shining Sunday afternoon, I felt the need to lob some nymphs in the Boise. To my astonishment, my 8-year-old son agreed to join me.

I laid out the rules for this trip...it required long underwear, fleece pants, wool socks, a sweatshirt and a coat. This is normally a kid who wears ankle socks and t-shirts to school. But this was winter fishing and he willingly agreed.

We expected a few whitefish, but found a good rainbow. I played the fish as rapidly as possible with 3x tippet. While in the net, I brought him to the surface for a quick photo. It is imperative that their gills are not subjected to the air when it is this cold outside.

The flow was increased on Monday from 250cfs to 800cfs. The river won't fish well until after January 17 when it is scheduled to drop.

Consider hitting the Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo on January 14-15 as a means of enjoying fly fishing and fly tying with others from around the northwest.