Buffalo River

The Buffalo is a gem of a waterway, offering a more intimate and often less crowded fishing experience compared to some of the bigger named rivers in the region. This beautiful spring creek is a tributary of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River. The Buffalo is known for its clear, meandering flows and healthy populations of trout, primarily stocked Rainbow and wild Brook Trout.  

If you’re new to fly fishing, the Buffalo is a great place to get started. The trout here are not as demanding as some of the more heavily fished rivers. They are more tolerant of presentation mistakes, and you don’t usually need to match the hatch with the perfect fly. Standard dry flies like Parachute Adams, Renegade, or Royal Wulff will usually do the job if trout are looking up. Nymph fishing with proven patterns like the Pheasant Tail Nymph or Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear are also effective. The river is shallow and slow, so you don’t need a heavily weighted nymph. Because it's a smaller river, stealth and careful approaches are often rewarded, as the trout can be easily spooked in the clear water.  

Hatches of mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies are important to pay attention to. The Buffalo River offers a more serene and potentially secluded fishing experience, perfect for those looking to connect with a beautiful Idaho stream and its wild trout.