If you are interested in helping study the effects of the South Fork Boise River flow changes on the wild trout fishery in September, read more below and contact us with your availability.

For several years the South Fork Boise River wild trout fishery has been getting significant attention from a number of sportsmen, state and Federal resource agencies.  You reading this website story is just one example.  River flow changes and effects on the aquatic system has gained attention with angler concerns about potential adverse effects on juvenile rainbow trout and macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects that provide a food base for trout), when Anderson Ranch Dam flows are routinely ramped down to 600 cfs and 300 cfs as irrigation storage releases are ended in September.

Whitefish Ed in his formal fishing dress on the banks of the Henry's Fork (photo from westfly message board)

Back in November 2009 interested anglers and agency staff met at the Boise Public Library to hear about a genetic study of the South Fork Boise River fishery.  During a panel discussion several topics came up, including flow management.

Could the Bureau of Reclamation do something to change their flow management?  There was no answer to that question, but the topic did stick with one local angler who goes by the handle “Whitefish Ed” on the westfly.com message board.

Ed initiated his own study and looked at the SFB on September 15, 2011, a few hours after the flow dropped from 600 to 300 cfs, and observed many stranded wild juvenile trout along the river’s shoreline in three locations.  You can find Ed’s story at this westfly.com message thread which is worth the read.  Ed’s writing style is as colorful as that shirt he is wearing in the photo

After some meeting this spring with state and Federal agency biologists a plan has Continue Reading…