Fishing Season: Year Round

Boise River - ID

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

42

Chad Allen's Tip of the Week

Boise River (In-Town) Flows have just dropped to normal winter levels. Nymphing is your best bet to pickup fish, bright colors like red, orange, and purple have been producing. Sticking between sizes of #16-20. Your basic pheasant tails and copper johns have been working, extra split-shot or a heavy bead! Natural colored streamers as well! South Fork Boise Tailwater Winter flows have hit! Much like in-town the SF Boise tends to fish better with sub surface nymph flies. Caddis and BWO's are seen regularly for your dry flies.

Directions open in app

Map of Boise River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Tight Lines

5-Day Outlook as of 12/17/24

South Fork Boise Tailwater Expect to see midges and or BWO's in the afternoon. Overcast weather has been a key factor! Bring your nymph box, it can be tough on a sunny day! Boise River in-town has stocked steelhead as of 11/22. trout are still feeding on bright nymphs. Egg sucking leeches, intruder patterns and beads can find Steelhead!

Techniques & Tips as of 12/17/24

Bobber Nymphing, Euro Nymphing, and Streamer fishing are all ways to find those fish in deeper pockets. We are seeing the occasional dry fly hatches going into the winter time, fishing emergers can be very productive!

Local Species Available Year Round

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Whitefish

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    Pike Minnow

Chad Allen's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
CDC Caddis Olive/Gray 16-18
Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail N/A 16-18
Gee's Supafly Stone Dry Salmon 8-12
CDC Emerging Caddis N/A 8-12
Zebra Midges Black 16-20
Pheasant Tails Brown 16-20
Splitsville Caddis Natural 8-14
Hot Head Euro Pheasant Tail Olive/Brown/black 16-18
FB Hares Ear Tan 16-20
Cheech Leech Red/Blk 4

CDC Caddis

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Chad Allen's Recommended Gear

Description: About Boise River

The Boise River consists of three separate forks that emerge from the Sawtooth Mountain Range. The confluence of the North and Middle forks join together near the town of Idaho City. The North fork is roughly 50 miles long. The Middle Fork is about a 52 mile stretch. Once joined together, the river continues its flow until it reaches Arrowrock Reservoir. The South Fork of the Boise River is a 101 mile stretch that rises from the Sawtooth National Forest, out of the Soldier and Smoky Mountains near Fairfield, Idaho. The South Fork flows into Arrowrock Reservoir and eventually joins the other sections at Arrowrock Dam. Past the dam, the river flows west adding in the Mores Creek tributary as it passes through Lucky Peak Dam and into the Boise area. Throughout the city of Boise, the river is lined with a 35 mile recreational and alternate transportation area known as The Boise Greenbelt. The Boise River then winds west toward northern Canyon County, where it eventually meets up with The Snake River at the Idaho-Oregon Border.

Nearest Airport:

BOI

Hatches:

SF Boise: BWO, Caddis, Pinks Boise River in Town: Midges, Caddis, PMD

Best Time to Fish:

Morning

Best Stretch:

Below Anderson Dam down to Danskin Bridge.

Best Access:

Barber Park to Eagle, use the Greenbelt to access the water, for in town fishing.