Idaho Fishing Reports ยท Southwest Region
Below Anderson Ranch Dam, the South Fork Boise is a canyon tailwater with wild rainbows and good dry-fly fishing.
Looking for the latest South Fork Boise River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the South Fork Boise River (below Anderson Ranch Dam).
Current flows
Wind forecast
South Fork Boise River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Fall releases are lower and clear.
BWOs on cloudy afternoons, and nymphs in the deeper runs.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Below Anderson Ranch Dam, bring: Parachute Adams #16-20, JuJu Baetis #18-20, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-18, Pat', s Rubber Legs #8-10, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
South Fork Boise River details
| Access | The road below Anderson Ranch Dam follows the river toward Danskin Bridge and Neal Bridge. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 3,700 to 4,000 ft |
| Nearest town | Mountain Home, Idaho |
| Best season | Year-round, best summer and fall |
| Fish | Wild rainbow trout, bull trout, whitefish |
| Regulations | Special trout rules apply on parts of the river. Check the Idaho Department of Fish and Game seasons and rules before you go. An Idaho fishing license is required for anglers 14 and older, plus a steelhead or salmon permit where those fish are targeted. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 6X tippet |
| Camping | Campgrounds below the dam and at Anderson Ranch Reservoir |
| Kids | Partly. |
| Good to know | Releases from Anderson Ranch Dam change quickly in summer. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Midges.
Spring
BWOs.
Summer
Salmonflies, PMDs, caddis and pink alberts.
Fall
BWOs and October caddis.
How to get there
From Mountain Home, take US-20 and the Anderson Ranch Dam road north.