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Hook Points

Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
February 16, 2026

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A NOTE FROM RYAN!

From time to time, you will notice ads in the newsletter. As the subscribership to Hook Points has grown considerably, the costs to produce it and host it have now become significant. We have no plans to stop producing the letter as so many of you have told us that you find it useful! I’m happy about that!! In order to help offset the costs, we are working with a company that will help us find advertisers that pay well for ad placement. We get paid per click! You do not need to sign up for anything! Please help us offset the costs of Hook Points by clicking on the links. Please do not feel obligated to do so but the help would be welcomed!!

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Very consistent performer this week for bass, crappie, perch and trout. Good reports from bank anglers targeting trout over by the Air Force ramp as well as over by Black Sands on nightcrawlers and powerbait. I also saw a couple of trout caught by anglers targeting bass with crankbaits. Perch and crappie fishing remains very consistent. For those looking for crappie, I was reminded multiple times this week that you are better off targeting the schools that are shallower than 30’. Watch the video below from Jones Sportfishing!! The Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimon was a hot bait this week - tipped with crappie nibbles. There are lots of fish being caught below the dam from the bank. I saw pics of all 4 species caught by Scout Park. Smallmouth and largies have been biting a bit! Look for good smallie fishing up the Snake River arm with IRR Tungsten Finesse Jigs, Z Man Scented Jerk Shadz, red crankbaits and Neko rigged Senkos. Largies have been caught on senkos - they are not crazy deep. Plenty of fish in the main bowl as well. Gary, Ryan and Jason found success on smallies in 10-25’ on swimbaits with Cipher Fishing Tungsten ball heads and drop shots. Thanks for the reports guys!!

Boise River: Good reports this week from anglers using Dynamic Lures HD Trout lures. New customer Dan gave my little crappie jig trick a go and said he we was “pretty shocked” at how well it worked! Fish are definitely in the deeper pools AFTER riffles and broken water. Not a crazy idea to move up into those riffles and rapids if the sun comes out for a while!

Brownlee: Current water level is 2047.5, 1.5’ down from last week. You can still launch at the Spring ramp - but you will be using the old ramp. At this level, pay attention as in certain areas, there are rocks that are close to being exposed - especially around the Mountain Man Lodge area. VERY mixed reports this week. A couple of anglers reported catching exactly ZERO fish while a couple of my good buddies and great young anglers put together a couple of 20# bags scoping. Sounds like the fish are grouped up and you are either on quite a few of them, or none at all. We have a cooler week ahead of us but sure feels like Brownlee is about to turn on. If you are going, I’d have a good selection of scoping baits - Z Man Scented Jerk Shadz, Strike King Z Too’s, Keitechs and Cast Echo’s. Good customer Sean found a few decent bass while he was hunting for crappie and perch. Said the perch fishing was good but they were deep - 40-60’! Crappie were much harder but we was able to grab a few! Nice job and thanks for the report Sean!

Snake River: Fished well last week and probably one of our better bank angling spots at the moment. I’d have a crankbait for the warmer sunnier days - Keitechs and IRR Tungsten Finesse jigs for everything in between!

Wilson Springs: No Report.

Lake Lowell: No Report.

Cascade Reservoir: Some warnings from Jeff with Freedom Outdoors and Fish and Game for some thin ice. Be careful! Great reports from the ice otherwise! Everything from Slab Raps to mealies on small Tungsten Ice Jigs to small spoons. Check in with the local shops!! Both Freedom Outdoors and Tackle Toms are your first stops!

Horsethief Reservoir: No report this week. Again - check with the awesome shops in Cascade!!

Owyhee Reservoir: Couple reports this week! Good friend of the shop Brian had a great day from the bank catching crappie! We did get a couple reports from a few anglers targeting bass as well. Fishing is very slow - but there were a few caught. Reported catches were smallies caught in 35’ of water fairly close to the second ramp. Crappie are still all over with plenty of schools still fairly close to the bank. Your favorite small soft plastic should do the trick!

Owyhee River: No report.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

No Report.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: No Report.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Definitely the busier of the 3 local Kokanee fisheries this past week. Not hearing about many that are limiting out on Kokes but it seems like most anglers are at least catching 2-3 every trip and in between some decent trout catches. If you want to target the trout, throw a Flicker Shad or Shad Rap on one of your trolling rods. Otherwise, I’m going with Kokabow Dodgers and baits. Pick your favorites - seems like most are working. Fish are on top - 80-100’ setbacks trolling between 1.4-1.7mph and make sure you are getting your S turns in. Arrowrock can be a really decent bank spot for trout as well - especially when it’s still cool outside.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Some reports for lots of small fish on top. If it were me, I’d get in at the dam and fish around that area.

Local Ponds: No Reports from any ponds this week.

Kokanee Kick Off THIS WEEK!, Link Rods, The Idaho Bass Federation Raffle and Lunch Event!, Limited Edition Rod!! (Sneak Peek!!), SPRING RESTOCK!, Boat Shop REBRAND Coming Soon

WITHOUT A DOUBT - ONE OF OUR MOST ANTICIPATED CLASSES IS THIS WEEK! Class is almost full - if you are getting ready for Spring Kokanee Fishing, you won’t want to miss this!! Tons of discounts on great product and of course, world class Kokanee instruction and education from one of the best around with Alan from Kokabow Fishing Tackle! Join us this Saturday starting at 10am! Location: J and H Sales and Marine Show Room, 1205 Industrial, Nampa - only 4-5 minutes from Idaho Rod and Reel. Sign up now at idahorodandreel.com, click on the classes link and sign up! Call the shop if you need any help!!
Come hang out at Idaho Rod and Reel on Saturday the 21st from 11-3pm with representatives from several of the local bass clubs as well as guys from The Idaho Bass Federation. Learn about all of the amazing local bass fishing opportunities that are available! $10 buys you lunch and 10% off anything in store at Idaho Rod and Reel.
RAFFLE!! The Idaho Bass Federation is running a raffle right now - $5/ticket for a chance to win either an Idaho Rod and Reel Spinning rod paired with a Daiwa Tatula MQ Spinning Reel OR an Idaho Rod and Reel Link MH Casting rod with a Daiwa Tatula Elite casting reel! 11 tickets for $50!
Bear with us as we prepare for our huge Spring Restock!! We’re running a little low on a few things… BUT NOT FOR LONG!!
The 7’5” Heavy Link Casting Rods are selling FAST!! We have sold more than half of them!
Link Medium Spinning Rods are SOLD OUT!
I am VERY EXCITED to announce a LIMITED EDITION SPINNING ROD that we made specifically for the Idaho Sportsman Show!! This rod was inspired by and meant to be a tribute to one of my absolute favorite fish on the planet - THE SMALLMOUTH BASS! Named the “Red Eye” rod after the amazing smallies that we get to fish for, this spinning rod is a 7’2” Medium/Fast Multi Purpose Smallmouth catching machine! I think you’ll love the design of this one! Just like our Link and Imperium rods, this is a 44 ton custom blank manufactured by Idaho Rod and Reel (meaning: we MAKE the blank!) and trimmed out with high quality Fuji components. We ONLY MADE 100 of these and will ONLY be available in our booth at the Idaho Sportsmans show! Once they are gone - that’s it! The price?? It will blow your mind… 😉
IF YOU WANT TO SAVE A FEW BUCKS…take advantage right now. We are seeing significant price increases with most vendors - especially in the rod and reel department. We purchased quite a bit of product BEFORE the price increases hit and have not marked this product up to the new MSRP’s. If you are thinking about new rods and reels for spring, might want to grab them now. We have started ordering and receiving product at the new pricing so these lower prices won’t be around for long.
BEGINNING BASS FISHING CLASS COMING SOON!!
Check out the new 2026 IRR Beanies! A best seller every winter at $12.99.
One of the things that makes us a little different is our commitment to manufacturing high quality products that improve the quality of fishing for our community. Link rods, Tungsten Finesse Jigs, Clothing, the new Forge Rods and more…WAIT TIL YOU SEE WHAT WE HAVE COMING IN 2026!! The shop theme for 2026 will be all about PB’s!! Gonna be fun…
^{Is there something you’d like to see in the shop? Email me at [email protected]…one random suggestion just might end up winning you a prize.}

Worth Watching

Knots don’t matter??!!

Technically Speaking...

Livescope Tips!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Salmon Anglers!!

Now Open: Provide comments on spring/summer Chinook fishing season proposals

Idaho Fish and Game will be setting new seasons for upcoming spring and summer Chinook fisheries and gathering public input on the upcoming season proposals from Feb. 11 to Feb. 22.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/now-open-provide-comments-springsummer-chinook-fishing-season-proposals

Local Camp Host Opportunity!

Fish and Game, Canyon County Parks seeking a volunteer camp host at Martin Landing

Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources (CCPCNR) and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are seeking a volunteer camp host at Martin Landing from April 1 through Oct. 31. The volunteer camp host will receive a $200 per month stipend and a complimentary RV site at Martin Landing that includes sewer, water, and electricity.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fish-and-game-canyon-county-parks-seeking-volunteer-camp-host-martin-landing