Last Updated on Monday, 13 June 2011 08:58
June 12 2011
The Wood River is still running high in runoff but there are still anglers out there who are fishing it with mixed results. Most of the lower Wood River is used for irrigation and you should see the farmers using more and more water now that the days are getting warmer. That means the lower Wood River will likely be fishable very soon. I would try just above Magic Reservoir.
April 5, 2011
Closed until Memorial day weekend
March, 25, 2011
By all means head on over to the Big wood this weekend. The river is open until the end of the month and the fishing has been pretty good. Look for baetis and midges for surface action. A parachute blue winged olive with a size 18 RS2 green emerger will work the best over a baetis hatch. If the trout are rising to midges try a black white winged adult midge size 20 with a black zebra midge pupa as a dropper about 18 inches down from the adult.
August 26, 2010
Now is the time to be on The Big Wood. The river is low and the fish are active. Pink alberts, green caddis, baetis and hoppers should keep you busy. Work the tailouts with nymphs when no obvious hatch is going on other wise just hunt for rising trout. During the heat of the day don't forget to throw out a hopper just to spice things up and the evening caddis hatch can be incredible. Be sure to have a good selection of caddis emergers with you because the trout love them.
June 20, 2010
The Big Wood is still running very high and dirty. If your going to go, try fishing the Upper Big Wood. The river will be less full and not quite as dirty. The Wood will be back in service in a week or two depending on the weather. It's just not to safe to wade back and forth across the river.
June 1 2010
The Wood is fishing pretty good right now. The flows are not quite as high as the past but still be careful wading. Here's what you might see as far as may flies go: Baetis, PMD"s, Green Drakes and Caddis. It all depends on where you are on the Wood and what time of day. I would be prepared to have a good selection of these patterns and their subsequent emerger patterns. Nymphing seems to be the best approach when no hatch is going on. Use a large nymph and drop it with a size 16 or 14 Bead Head Baetis or Bead Head Pheasant Tail. Work the seems on long tailouts and the obvious pocket water. Remember the farther up the Wood you go the more water you will see in the river!
April 1, 2010
Closed until Memorial Day
March 22, 2010
The Big Wood River Will Be closed April 1, until opening day!
March 1, 2010
Midge fishing is what keeps the anglers coming to the Big Wood. If you are looking for some laid back type fishing the Big Wood might be your best bet. On sunny days take the time to hunt for rising fish. These fish will be feeding on Midges from size 20 to 24. A good way to go is to put on a small strike indicator and below that add a couple of Midge Pupa. Be sure to work the rising fish from the bottom to the top. Trout this time of the year can be very spooky so work the fish closes to you. If your not in the mood to hunt for rising fish try nymphing small bead heads through the deeper runs.
October 27, 2009
The river is at winter time low and the midge fishing is picking up. The Baetis Mayfly is keeping the Big Wood River in fish action and you can get in on some of that action pretty much on any part of the river. You will need a size 18 or 20 parachute Blue Winged Olive and if you have an active hatch in front of you, you will need a good BWO emenger. Having a good BWO emerger with you can make the difference between a good day's fishing and an excellent day's fishing.
October 7, 2009
The Big Wood is around 167 cfs and the colder weather is bringing out the Baetis and the fish are keying in on them. You will start to see them around mid morning all the way through to the afternoon. In the afternoon look for Mahoganies to make their appearance. There are still some Hoppers around and the nymphing should be done with an attractor fly leading down to a dropper that should be a bead head Baetis or Pheasant Tail.
September 23, 2009
Not much has conditions have changed on the Wood since the last report. Fishing success continues to be pretty good despite the lower water levels of late summer.
September 15, 2009
I would make the Big Wood River a destination river. The days will start cooling of now and the river should cool down enough to make fishing pretty good. With Silver Creek and South Fork Boise near by to fish there are also a lot of creeks and lakes near by to keep you fishing all day long. Use attractor patterns with bead head droppers during the day and look for good evening hatches to keep your dry fly skills sharp.
September 4, 2009
Your still looking at 235 cfs and anglers are reporting pretty good fishing. Early morning and early evening seems to be the best time for the best fish activity. Trico's in the morning followed by a decent spinner fall as well as Baetis and a few PMD's are the May flies of the day. You can still find a decent Caddis hatch in the evenings.
August 24, 2009
The Wood is right at 235 cfs and the fishing has been improving. Your best fishing is in the early morning and early evening. There are quite a bit of May fly action starting with PMD's, Baetis and Trico's. But make sure you have some Pink Albert's on hand in size 16 because they will appear out of nowhere around noon. Expect a decent Caddis hatch in the early evenings. So in between hatches us a attractor fly such as an Adams, dropped with a bead head May fly imitation.
August 17, 2009
The river is below 300 cfs but still fishing well. Attractor flies with bead head droppers seem to be how to fish this river in the late summer. The water is warming up so probably the best time to fish it is in the morning and early evening. With the river this shallow the Trout will pod up in the deeper holes and runs so be a little stealthy when approaching these likely areas. Pink Alberts, PMD's and Caddis are on the Trouts menu.
August 5, 2009
The Big Wood is in great summertime shape. Right now you can get to all your favorite hole with the river running at about 375 cfs and clear. Most fly fishermen are having success using attractor flies ( Annihilator, Stimulator or Adams) and just drifting these flies through likely places. Be careful when the water is this low to not be seen. It will pay off if you stretch your cast a little farther because once you spook these Trout you might as well work your way down to the next hole.
July 24 2009
The water level has dropped significantly enough to fish the river almost anywhere with good success. Caddis are on or about the river most of the day and you might want to try and Elk Hair Caddis dropped with a Caddis Emerger to start things off. Try using a good attractor pattern such as a Deer Hair annihilator or Stimulator dropped with a bead head nymph and fish as much pocket water as you can get to.
June 25, 2009
Not much has happened on the Big Wood recently. The river is still at about 1700cfs but it is getting clearer. You will see some mid morning PMD's that may stretch out to latter in the afternoon. Also you may still see some Green Drakes and Caddis on the water. Pick your spots on the river. Even though it is still high you still can catch a lot of fish if you have the time, patience and are willing to move around to more fishier parts of the river.
June 10, 2009
The Wood River is high and muddy as of this report. The best bet is to fish the lower section and choose you spots wisely. The fishing is difficult but you can still catch trout with a little effort. Nymphing is the name of the game on this river under these comditions.
