Opening Weekend 3,000 cfs; now down to “normal”

Posted by admin on June 1, 2012 | No Comments

After an opening weekend of fishing season where the South Fork was running at 3,000 cfs the flows have dropped to 1,700 cfs, ending May with a normal boating flow.

Some may complain about flows at 3,000 cfs or higher, but these water volumes are necessary for a healthy river. The flow spike at 6,000 cfs should have helped bring more changes to side channels and river banks, perhaps rearranging some sections of river bottom, routing sediment and creating new holding areas for fish and bugs.

Anderson Ranch Dam is 94 percent full and inflow is very close to the outflow. In fact, it looks like Anderson Ranch will not completely fill this year. Ironic, after a winter with the most stored water in the system. But it was a complicated run-off, and Continue Reading…

South Fork is Big Winner of Fly Casting Tournament

Posted by admin on May 13, 2012 | 1 Comment

The 2nd Annual Fly Casting Tournament & Fly Fishing Boat Show was held at Eagle Island State Park, raising thousands of dollars on behalf of the South Fork Boise River Fishery. More than 200 people attended as participants, judges and spectators.

Casting on the "Redemption" hole at the 2nd Annual Fly Casting Tournament

As near perfect weather as could be expected greeted the fly casting competitors Saturday morning. Hardly any winds. The day warmed up through the morning as 12 teams competed in the Gold Division. Four person teams competed on 14 casting targets or “holes” with a team’s best three individual player scores per hole added together for a team score.

While the competition was keen, it was the cause that brought so many people together. Protection and enhancement of the South Fork Boise River fishery is Continue Reading…

South Fork at 6,000 cfs: A Top Ten Rating

Posted by admin on April 29, 2012 | No Comments

On Friday April 27, 2012, releases from Anderson Ranch Dam hit 6,000 cfs. This is a flow quantity rarely seen on the South Fork Boise River. Based on records dating back to 1943 (seven years before the dam’s completion) here’s the top years where peak flows got nearly to, or exceeded, 6,000 cfs.

Since 1943 here are the years where peak flows were 6,000 cfs or better

Tagged flows

Fly Casting Tournament to Help South Fork Boise River Fishery

Posted by admin on April 23, 2012 | No Comments

The 2^nd Annual Fly Casting Tournament & Fly Fishing Boat Show is set for May 12, 2012, at Eagle Island State Park.

Four-person teams will compete in two divisions using a golf tournament format. A maximum number of 12 Gold teams (Advanced) and 18 Silver teams (Recreational) will compete on fourteen land and water based casting targets, or holes. Each hole represents a unique casting discipline/challenge. Lowest team scores win.

“The purpose for the tournament is to generate matching funds for habitat improvement on the South Fork of the Boise River downstream of Anderson Ranch Dam,” says tournament chairman Pat Kilroy. “Last year’s inaugural 2011 Fly Casting Tournament raised $10,000 and was a decisive factor in the completion of the Pierce Creek Culvert project. This money matched other local, state and Federal funds that removed a fish passage blockage for wild trout spawners.”

Kilroy stated that proceeds from the 2012 Fly Casting Tournament & Fly Fishing Boat Show will Continue Reading…

Lots of Water for 2012

Posted by admin on April 1, 2012 | No Comments

Snowpack can and probably will continue to accumulate in the Boise mountains but it’s time for a snapshot where things stand for the 2012 conditions. We have lots of water, both in the reservoir at Anderson Dam and in the mountains above. We will start with the mountains: Continue Reading…