Anyone know a safe flow to wade below American Falls?

[remo_5_0]

Looking to maybe fish the Snake, I do not know what the flows are like up there as I have never been, currently it's 1250 Cfs does anyone know if this is ok for wading? Thanks!
[signature]

[Captain_Hook]

1250 is pretty dang sketchy down there. Plus, with american falls reservoir filling up, it could be raised any day. If you go, make sure you bring a wading staff and probably a life jacket. I also would not go alone. Good luck though!
[signature]

[kglass]

I went there not too long ago and it seemed like the high water threw the fishing off. Fished all day and basically got skunked. The fish are definitely much more spread out than they are at 400 cfs... Tripling the flow probably results in a tenfold increase of good trout water. There aren't many fish down there as it is; the reason people catch fish in the winter sometimes is that it's normally a 10kcfs river confined to creek-like flows. It's also really tough to fish the lava rock ledges with the fast current... But like the pirate said, good luck!
[signature]

[tightline]

Definitely be careful especially if it is an area you haven't fished before. Some of the lava shelves down there go from 18" to 18' in one step and if the water is not really clear it is really hard to judge.

Also be very cautious about going across the whole river and then having the flows increase and you are not able to get back. I have had this happen once. It was not pretty.
Does anyone know of a site that let's you know when flows are planned to turn up or down? Where are you guys getting your flow data?
[signature]

[remo_5_0]

Thanks for the info. guys, looks like best bet is flows below 1000 cfs. Not sure where guys check when flows will be raised but I use this for current flows.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov
[signature]

[jeremypeace]

1250 is a safe flow on the snake, for me anyway. It really depends on how well you know it. I know where the shelf's are and most of the big rocks and drop offs are. I waded clear across the river two weekends ago flows were at 1200 then. But again I know the river. If you do not know it I wouldn't recommend going because it will catch you off guard quick..
[signature]

[drowning_flys]

Do they close that to small watercraft during the catch and release season ? does barb less mean bent over barb or do you have to cut the barbs off ?
[signature]

[jeremypeace]

I've scene boats out there during catch and release and just bent barbs are fine as long as they are flush with the hook.
[signature]

[drowning_flys]

Thank you Jeremy, With this ice season being so lacking thought it might be a good backup plan there are so really nice fish in there
[signature]