December Transition Brings Much-Needed Snow To High Country

Snake River

We started the first half of December warm and dry, now we are warm and wet.  Despite comfortable conditions, there has been a lot of inconsistency on the Snake and some days you will have to work for them, which means going deep in ledge rock pools and eddies.  Other days, there will be surface action in eddies, seams, and ledge rock troughs.  If using dries, cdc winged midge emergers and parachute are the best way to go.  If going subsurface with nymphs, rely on chironomid imitations primarily.

There is production on streamers at times when targeting slower backwater side channels, eddies, and ledge rock pools.  Go with small baitfish imitations – Baby Clousers, Krystal Buggers, Slump Busters – on floating lines with an even moderate cadence.  Vary up your retrieves if consistency isn’t happening.

South Fork

Lots of variable weather with sunny days and wetter, cloudier ones in almost even numbers.  The one constant has been warmer than average air temps.  Fishing has been productive on every accessible reach with the surface action hot spot being from around 1pm until 5pm.  Riffles, seams, troughs, parallel drop-offs, and banks with slow to moderate currents are good waters to focus on.  Nymph rigs are producing throughout the day in the same water with prime time being from around 10am and finishing near dusk.  Fish are feeding deeper in the morning hours and shallower in the afternoon, so adjust your riggings appropriately.