Fishing Season: Year Round

Boise River - ID

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

42

Chad Allen's Tip of the Week

South Fork is now at 300 cfs. October caddis, blue winged olives, and midges are the main forage this time of year. Flavs being spotted late in the afternoon. The evening bite has been the most productive. Nymphing being the most productive during the day. Brighter attractor style nymphs doing the trick, size 14-18. Boise River In-Town is at 530~ cfs with good floating flows still available. Attractor style nymphs on a double nymph rig and streamer fishing will be the key. Browns are slowly staging for the spawn, so be weary of riffles and leave them be if you see them.

Directions open in app

Map of Boise River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Tight Lines

5-Day Outlook as of 9/29/23

Flows holding steady on the SF Boise with "winter flows" at 300 cfs. Boise River in town is slowly dropping as we near winter flows. Which should be around 250 cfs. Currently holding around 500 cfs~.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/29/23

Heavy Nymph Rigs Smaller dries with droppers. Swinging streamers.

Local Species Available Year Round

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Bull Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Whitefish

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    Sucker fish

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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Item #17X1

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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: Caddis, Salmonflies, Golden Stones, PMDS, BWO Boise River in Town: N/A

Best Time to Fish:

Mid Afternoon

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.