Idaho's Streams Less Waded
Southeast Idaho has to be on most 'must fish' list, even world wider lists for fly fishing enthusiasts. From my front door, I can be on no less than half a dozen famous waters and drive little more than an hour to get there. The South Fork and Henry's Fork (or locally known as the North Fork) meet not 20 miles from my house and an hours drive can send you along either river with excellent fishing opportunities just about anywhere you can park. Better yet, both these rivers, offer drift boating opportunities and fine angling that is hard to beat. All you have to do is Google Eastern Idaho fishing guides and you will get pages upon pages of possibilities. All it takes is money. Even outside of the two Snake River forks, there is the Teton River, not to mention nearby Yellowstone Parks and Southwest Montana and all it has to offer those who visit and bring a fly rod. How blessed I am to live, smack in the middle of all this, yet my heart is not lost to fine waters such as these, my heart is lost on the many streams less fished, less waded and less heard of. The real gold mine in my opinion is the waters that merge into these rivers. Find a tributary that flows into the river, and follow it upstream, my vehicle at first, then walk, because you follow information on your GPS or Topo map, you know you might be fishing a 4th order stream, then a 3rd, then perhaps a 2nd or 1st....and likely find pools that can hold wild trout. Walk into one of the many fly shops in the area and ask what fly rod is best and you hear the proverbial 9 foot 5 or 6wt rod. Such equipment is next to useless on small streams. That is what this article is about – small waters, fly patterns and small water rods.
Since this is my back yard, I am going to keep the names of many of these places a secret....however, if any one of my good friends wish to visit Idaho, I will gladly play guide for the cost of a cold Pepsi and burger for lunch (ha ha...only kidding).
I will begin discussing what I call small rivers of the area. These are likely well known to most locals for recreation opportunities ranging from fishing to rafting and even floating inner tubes as a way to cool off on hot days. I have never found much conflict on these waters and I gladly give a wide berth to those who are enjoying our public lands and waterways their way. One of my favorite small rivers in this area is the Warm River. It is a spring fed tributary to the Henry's Fork. As it is spring fed, the water conditions vary little throughout the seasons. There is a really nice campground just upstream from it's confluence with the Henry's Fork. While there is fishing here and is on regular rotation for the stocking of what we call 'cookie cutter' rainbows, it does see a lot of pressure during the Summer. Lots of youth groups and family reunions and other get-togethers call this their destination, however, a short hike upstream can put you on some water that sees little activity of any kind.
This is nice dry fly water and throughout the Summer Months, into Fall, very predictable hatches can be taken advantage of. Caddis and various mayfly species from PMD's, March Browns and even a few Grey Drakes can offer good sporting action for a light rod. Speaking of rods, this is where an Ultra Light rod comes into play. In truth, I much prefer a rod that is less than 8 feet long for most of my fishing anyway...so waters such as this suit my style more than most larger waters. Even there, I always say, I fish the 'small stream' that is in the big stream. A medium fast or medium action 2 through 4wt rod will provide all the stick you will need for fishing waters like the Warm River. My favorite tactic is a #14-12 Stimulator and #18 beadhead dropper. The Warm River is smooth, freestone like so you have to search out likely holding water...behind a rock, against a bank, below a downed tree, etc. You will find yourself moving fast and hitting the mostly likely locations a few minutes, then moving on. This is where I like to hike a couple miles upstream, jump in the river and fish backwards, or the 'Idaho Way', casting and mending for downstream drifts that are drag free and the beadhead is present first, before the dry is seen. Usually, I find that the trout take the beadheads on the first or second cast in any new location...but now and then they skip the nymph and clobber the dry, which can be rather surprising which you are used to it just disappearing under the surface. It can make for fun fishing.
The Warm River is Rainbow and Brown Trout water....along with some Whitefish and a few brookies. It is one of my favorite trout streams in Idaho.
Other similar sized streams in Eastern Idaho include ***** Creek, Badger Creek, Blackfoot River, Robinson Creek, Buffalo River and the Portneuf River.
Going down one or two sizes are what I call true small streams. These are streams where you can likely fish with only hip boots and an 8 foot rod might be too long....at least it is at the edge of practical use. Most fish on these streams run on the small side, say 8-12” being most common, however, as we all know, there can be surprises on any small water. A good example of a small stream is Fall Creek right here in Eastern Idaho,
It is a tributary to the South Fork Snake River. Again, Fall Creek is ground zero for outdoor recreationists... and provides free public camping with minimal regulation. It is a major jumping off point for not only anglers, but horse back riders as well as ATV affectionos. Fall Creek lands, literally, in the South Fork, tumbling off a big cliff in a stunning waterfall that is very popular with photographers. Brookies and Cutts can be caught here any just about any old dry fly you can cast at them. This is where you might cast some of the classier patterns of yesterday, Royal Coachmans, Grey Hackles and Renegades
to name but a few. This is water for 0 (and sub 0) wt rods up to 2 and 3wts. Above the falls, it is classical meadow fishing, as the creek bends and meanders, here and there, providing a bend or undercut bank that holds trout. Late in the Summer, this is ant fishing and small hopper fishing at it's finest. Eastern Idaho must have hundreds of similar small streams such as Fall Creek. One could spend the entire Summer and Fall fishing only waters such as these and not cover 10% of them and certainly not to any kind of impact.
Fishing pressure is very light once you get away from the normal camping areas. Other streams, to name a few (and to keep my favorites a secret) include other South Fork tributaries, such as Burns Creek, and Rainey Creek. Others include the Camas Creek drainages, Salt River drainages, Thomas Fork, Bear River tributaries, a dozen such streams in the Island Park area...just to name a few.
There is still a smaller classification of fishing opportunity here in Idaho that I call creeks, cricks,
brooks, that can be so small, you wonder how they could possibly hold fish. These are what would be considered 1st and 2nd order tributaries to the many small streams mentioned above. This is where a 6 to 7 foot rod might be all the longer rod you would want. Finding a place to cast might take some exploration but the rewards of casting flies to fish that seldom...possible never get fished over can be life altering. I like to fish these waters with what I call Banty Rods, light lines and tiny flies. I can fish nearly all these streams with a few simple partners, such as #18 Griffiths Gnats and Grey Hackles. If use as heavy a tippet as I can get through the eye. I leave enough flies in bushes and trees the choke these tiny waterways and I find most of the trout that inhabit these streams, are not leader shy.....rather they are hungry.
In closing, if you ever find yourself in Eastern Idaho, give me a ring. If I am around, I would be glad to show you around.