Tailwater flowing 66 miles out of Palisades Dam on the Idaho-Wyoming border to its junction with the Henry Fork. Trout densities exceed 5,000 per mile and native Yellowstone and Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat make up most of the fishery.
Target species
Methods
Fly fishing
Idaho
Fishes this water
Swan Valley, Idaho
Lodge and full-scale fly shop on the banks of the South Fork, minutes from Swan Valley. Runs guided drift-boat and walk-and-wade trips for cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout, and the shop is the largest fly shop in the region.
Guided trips · Fly shop · Lodging · Flies
Fishes this water
Swan Valley, Idaho
Fly and tackle shop on the Swan Valley Highway carrying the largest fly inventory in the area, with a published hatch chart, river-level guidance and a boating guide for the South Fork corridor.
Fly shop · Tackle shop · Live bait · Local advice
Fishes this water
Swan Valley, Idaho
Orvis-endorsed lodge that has guided the South Fork since 1990. The Swan Valley fly shop sits in the Swan Valley General Store at the corner of Highway 26 and Highway 31 and sells licenses, flies, rods, reels and clothing.
Fly shop · Guided trips · Lodging · Fishing licenses
Ketchum, Idaho
The shop supplies flies and fishing gear for waters including the Big Wood, Lost River and Silver Creek.
Guided trips
Boise, Idaho
Established in 1993, this fly shop sells rods, reels, flies and wading equipment.
Boise, Idaho
The shop offers custom flies, equipment rentals, casting lessons and fly-tying classes.
Fly tying · Classes · Rentals
Ketchum, Idaho
This Ketchum retail fly shop sells fly-fishing equipment and offers guided fishing trips.
Guided trips
Victor, Idaho
The Victor retail operation sells fly-fishing equipment and arranges guided fishing trips.
Guided trips
Coeur D'Alene, Idaho
Established in 1984, the tackle shop supplies anglers fishing regional lakes and rivers.
Sagle, Idaho
The retail shop sells live and frozen bait, fishing rods, lures and tackle.
Live bait
Riggins, Idaho
The retail storefront for S&S River Outfitters sells tackle, bait and apparel.
Guided trips
Boise, Idaho
The store includes a fly shop, bait shop and conventional fishing-line spooling service.
Rod and reel service
Recommended
Orvis · Rods
Do-everything trout rod, smooth enough for dries and stout enough for streamers.
Scientific Anglers · Line
Easy-loading floating line that suits most trout rods.
Simms · Waders
Breathable four-layer shell with reinforced knees.
Umpqua · Flies
Stimulators, Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, and Chubbies.