February 8th Report

Snake River

Ledge rock pools, deep eddies, and the slow current margins of seams are ideal water types to focus on from around 10am to 4pm with nymphs and a tight window of 1:30pm to 3pm with surface flies.  Nymphs fished shallow – two to three feet of tippet – are working better than dries even when the surface feeding is good.  Midge patterns are outperforming other imitations, with CDC soft hackle jig patterns a distant second.

Dry flies – Griffith Gnats, Furimsky BDEs, Ritt’s ARF Midge Adult, Parachute Midges, and CDC Midge Emergers.

Nymphs – Keller’s Peach Fuzz, Duracells, Egan’s Dart, Zebra Midges, Ice Cream Cone Midges, Spanish Bullets, Perdigons, and Brassies.

South Fork

Surface midge action has been consistent over the past couple of weeks but is waning a bit.  The best production is occurring from around 1pm to 4pm in riffle pools, eddies, and seams. Emergent patterns are outperforming full-on adult variations.  Nymphs are producing in the same water from around 11am until just before dusk.  No need to go to deep with your riggings – generally in the three to four and a half foot range depending on the depth of the water you are targeting.

Decent streamer fishing can be had on the lower reaches from Kelly’s Island down to Menan.  Small patterns fished on floating lines and slow retrieves are the name of the game.  Target banks and structure with slow currents and seam margins.

Dry flies – Renegades, Furimsky BDEs, Parachute Midges, Klinkhamers, CDC Midge Emergers, and Chez’s Krystal Wing Midge Emerger.

Nymphs – Brillion’s Lucent Jig, Cyclops, Duracells, Copper Johns in black or red, Zebra Midges, Frenchies, Lil’ Amigos, Devil Jigs, and Perdigons.

Streamers – Arum’s Lil’ Kim, Woolley Buggers, Craft Fur Clousers, Slump Busters, and Pine Squirrel Zonkers.