Springs on the Dry

Contributors: Wes Reynolds

A new year brings a new fishing license, new goals, and plans for new adventures. It also means that an old adventure is overdue.

Each winter I  travel south-east from Boise to the shortest river in Idaho. It’s easy to pass up on the more known and famous rivers in Idaho when you’re going to a place that’s very special. When you find a place that is less-traveled in the winter time, the solitude is truly relaxing. In the winter time this river is my yearly pilgrimage because of the solitude, but also for the epic dry fly fishing.

Daily hatches of midges and BWO’s make these spunky rainbows look up. The fish rarely exceed sixteen inches, but the small and swift water makes up for it. A light glass rod, and size 18 CDC emerger patterns make for a day of explosive trout fishing. Perhaps it’s the want for summertime fishing or the need for a trip to the mountains, but this river is a treat December through February. The water is low, the trout are eager, and the river is quiet.

For more information on Southern Idaho fisheries and rules in Idaho visit:

Idaho Department of Fish and Game: https://idfg.idaho.gov/wma/hagerman

Hagerman Wildlife Management Area: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/ibt/site.aspx?id=87

Idaho’s Wildlife Management Areas: https://idfg.idaho.gov/wma

*ALL species were caught and released while keeping with sustainable fishing practices. #keepemwet friends!