Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for South Fork of the Boise River (Idaho)
The South Fork of the Boise River in Idaho fishes as both a wade and a float. It is a tailwater fishery for Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, with the most reliable window in May, June, July. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the South Fork of the Boise River hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | Salmonfly | #4-8 | Chubby Chernobyl, Pat's Rubber Legs |
| Golden Stonefly | #6-10 | Yellow Stimulator, Golden Stone Dry | |
| July | Pale Morning Dun | #14-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun, PMD Cripple |
| Caddis | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis | |
| September | Blue-winged Olive | #16-20 | Parachute BWO, RS2 |
| October Caddis | #6-10 | Orange Stimulator, October Caddis |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the South Fork of the Boise River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
No catalog patterns in this group yet. Use the hatch chart and the river guide.
Setup
5X and 6X fluorocarbon on nymphs, 5X on dries unless the fish are on Tricos, then 6X or 7X. Start lighter than your home river. One small tungsten and a long tag often beats a 3.5mm bead in clear water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the South Fork of the Boise River?
- Start with Pat's Rubber Legs and Stimulator, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The South Fork of the Boise River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the South Fork of the Boise River?
- The editorial window we list is May, June, July, August, September, October. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the South Fork of the Boise River?
- Idaho has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the South Fork of the Boise River?
- Open the South Fork of the Boise River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the South Fork of the Boise River?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
South Fork of the Boise River
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Idaho
Trip planning for this region.
Pat's Rubber Legs
Nymph
Stimulator
Dry
BWO Sparkle Dun
Dry
Dale Pearson — Henry's Fork Anglers
Boise Anglers
7097 Overland Rd, Boise, ID 83709
Drift Lodge & Fly Shop
4771 US-20, Island Park, ID 83429
Big Wood River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Clearwater River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Henry's Fork of the Snake River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Lochsa River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.