Report for March 3rd, 2025

Snake River

Very warm weather has been a boon for consistent action both below and on the surface.  Overnight lows are not swinging as heavily as a few weeks ago.  Still, it is a good idea to start by at least late morning, as water temps are still cooling by a couple of degrees most days.  Fish are still podding up in slower, deeper lies – eddies, backwater side channels, troughs, and ledge rock pools – so these are the most productive waters to target. 

Nymphs have been working best when fished in the water column's five- to eight-foot depth level.  Think midges more than anything else. Midges are also the way to go on the surface, with the sweet spot being around 11:30 to 3pm most days.

Streamers are starting to get into more fish, but this action is occurring almost exclusively in the same water as dries and nymphs.  Still go with slow retrieves fished on floating lines or slow sinking lines – hover and INT.

No signs of winter stones, but they should be coming soon.

South Fork

Decent fishing on just about every reach, with the lower sections below Kelly’s Island taking the cake.  Cooling afternoon water temps are less of an issue than on the Snake, but there is still some slowing of productivity after 4pm.  The best action with nymphs is occurring from around 10am to 4pm with surface action occurring consistently from around 12:30pm until 4pm.  Target slow current seams, eddies, side channels, and riffle pools (activity in the latter will start a little later in the day generally).  Just a couple of BWOs being spotted, but midge hatches have been fairly consistent after 1pm.

Streamer action is getting better with fish being picked up in slower water and, at times, some holding water with moderate current speeds.  Small and moderately sized imitations are working equally well.  Go with slow retrieves and fish your patterns on floating lines, hover lines, or short sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range.