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 are steady at 650 cfs. Water temps are teetering on dangerous, with nighttime lows dropping around 61.5, and daytime highs hitting 68.5 at around 9 pm. Morning fishing is the way to go as afternoon water temps has practically shut the feeding down. Heavy, attractor nymphs are still the way to go. Evenings are still producing PMD's and BWO's, with some Caddis mixed in, mostly smaller fish rising. Streamers can also produce fish on cutbanks and near structure, especially on cloudy and overcast days when the pressure is lower and temps are cooler. South Fork Boise Tailwater: The river has dropped to 1200 cfs! Rocks are now exposed so floaters should be aware! Pinks are still coming off in the afternoons, with Caddis following directly after in the evening. Throughout the remainder of the day, both through the morning and in the late evening, big, buggy dries with a dropper or two underneath have been effective.

Directions open in app

Map of Boise River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Tight Lines

5-Day Outlook as of 8/14/26

Boise River (In-Town) The Boise River floating season is in full force, and the river between Barber Park and Ann Morrison Park is crowded. If you're floating the river, be cautious of others! Go early and avoid the crowds, early bird gets the worm! South Fork Boise Tailwater Sunny with plenty of crystal clear, cold water to be fished. Fish on!

Techniques & Tips as of 8/14/26

Boise River (In-Town): Heavy nymphs, some dries during the early morning and late evening hours. South Fork Boise Tailwater: Buggy dries, Pinks, and Caddis. Bullets as droppers.

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):
Tungsten Nemec Stone Nymph brown 8-12
Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail N/A 16-18
Hawkins' Hat Trick olive 8-12
I Can See It Midge Fly black 18-22
Midge black 18-22
Bead Head Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear Nymph black 16-20
Zebra Midges Black 16-20
Pheasant Tails Brown 16-20
FB Hares Ear Tan 16-20
Cheech Leech Red/Blk 4

Tungsten Nemec Stone Nymph

Reach the deepest lies with this tungsten stonefly nymph.

4.49

Item #9R8R

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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: Pinks, Caddis, Terrestrials Boise River in Town: PMD's, BWO's, Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

Morning

Best Stretch:

SF Boise: Below Anderson Dam down to Danskin Bridge.

Best Access:

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