Introduction

[JohnScott]

Rex -

Haven't fished the Boise, but on the South Fork of the Snake a good combination this time of year is a weighted size 6 brown rubber legs stonefly nymph trailing a small nymph like a size 16 pheasant tail or rust colored copper john or simple midge larva.

Set it up with the stonefly about 1.5 times the guestimated water depth below your indicator ( in faster current you might want to start closer to 2 times the estimated water depth, but this time of year the fish are not likely to be out in a strong current ). Tie a piece of tippet to the bend of the stonefly nymph hook, and trail the smaller nymph 12-15" behind the stonefly.

If you are getting the flies down close to the bottom in an area where the fish are holding, the stonefly nymph will catch some fish, and otherwise will act as an "attractor". A lot of times the fish will take a look at the stonefly, and pass on it, but hit the trailing nymph.

As cold as it has been this winter, the fish will likely be holding in slower, deeper water. Think in terms of the inside of bends, and the slower runs off the main current.

Don't worry about the sound of the line and / or the flies hitting the water. The fish are pretty lethargic in these conditions and won't likely spook over something like that. Also, with low water temps, they won't move too far for a fly, but they will take something that hits them on the nose.

Streamers can also be effective this time of year. But since you are already into the nymphing approach, that is probably best left for another discussion.

Best of Luck.

John

P. S. When you cast, don't point your cast at a spot on the water surface, but at an imaginary spot 4-5' above the surface, rod tip fairly high. When the line straightens fully, it will fall to the water surface with less commotion.