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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
August 18, 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!!

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: What a week at CJ for most of you! Crappie/panfish bite has been excellent and reports came in from both boat and bank anglers. For those on the boats, trolling has been working - 100-120’ set backs, 1.4-1.8mph with Flicker Shads and Shad Raps doing a ton of the work! Don’t forget about the jointed ones! When the fish are fired up, that extra aggressive wiggle can get a few more aggressive bites from bigger fish. If it were me, I’m going to be casting and retrieving for them using my electronics to set up around the schools. SEVERAL reports of fish in that 15-20’ range which means casting an 1/8th oz head with your favorite soft plastic and a crappie nibble is going to get bit! My recommendation is to send that cast over and past the school and with a tight line, let that bait pendulum back to the boat drifting right thru the fish…feel the tick, set the hook! I am seeing a fair amount of perch getting caught. On your electronics, the perch schools are often more bottom oriented (though not always!!) and usually really tight together and moving around…the same pendulum techniques will work - as will the drop shot. Bottom oriented perch LOVE Ned rigs. For the bass, fishing in that 20-30’ around points, steeper bluffs and out rocky flats will provide consistent action. Neds, drop shots, Carolina rigs will all get bit BUT!! WHAT A WEEK IT HAS BEEN FOR THE JIG!! The IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig has just been on fire. I throw mine on either the IRR Link Medium Heavy Casting rod or the IRR Draggin rod - 12# fluorocarbon with a UV Speed Craw - and I just drag! There are shallow fish in less than 10’. Grab a Rico, Evergreen or River2Sea popper and go have some fun!

Boise River: Flows are excellent for fishing and guys are catching. We have a new order of Dynamic Lures HD Trout on their way in - hopefully we see that in a few days. Bringing in a few other smaller crank/jerkbait style lures as well - they just get bit! Crappie jigs, shrimp on a jig head, spinners and the Z Man Mini Chatterbaits are all great options. Shade with some depth??? You’re about to get bit…

Brownlee: Sitting still at 2058. Algae warning is in effect. SPRING RAMP UPDATE: Right now, it is essentially closed. BLM is not wanting anyone to launch there. For how long? I have no idea but we are trying to stay on top of it. It sounds like the ground got so hot that several of the railroad ties under the cattle guards burned up and BLM is telling me that they are unstable. The fishing is excellent - just need to make the longer drive to get in at Woodhead. Lots of fish in 25-35’ and the same baits that I mentioned for CJ will work here. I might add a Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver and if you want a cool way to rig it - use a Cipher Fishing Tungsten MID STROLL head - the turned eye lets you drag it like a jig…absolutely smashes. HOWEVER! Just like CJ, NOTHING IS OUTFISHING THE JIG!! For fishing shallow, I’m sticking with a popper and concentrating my topwater efforts around steep bluffs - and I’m throwing them RIGHT UP AGAINST the bluffs. Crappie are big, the schools are a little smaller and spread out but worth the effort. I love the IRR Underspins for these bigger crappie!! Pair it with with a 2.8 Keitech!!

Snake River: Good fishing - frustrating grass! They are eating the jig and topwater like crazy - and I think Snake River bass are incapable of saying no to a Ned rig.

Wilson Springs: No Report

Lake Lowell: Fishing incredible! Get on the weed edges with a Crush City Clean Up Craw and a frog! Evenings have been a little better for the topwater bite. During the heat of the day, try flipping a more slender profile like a senko…

Cascade Reservoir: Some decent reports this week for both bass and perch - couple trout reports as well which are the first I have had in a minute. Lots of perch mid lake - around the island and around Crowne Point. Sounds like there are both deep and shallow schools. Can troll for them but one of the reports that I received from a family that had an amazing day - caught them all on a Ned Rig - Z Man TRD’s in green pumpkin. When its windy, consider the direction the wind is coming from and go look for perch on the downwind areas that are protected. You’ll find a bunch! Good friend of the shop recommends looking in 10-15’ right now for these perch and reminds us that there are usually bass nearby them! Double dip!! Smallies have been eating walking baits, IRR Tungsten Jigs, Ned rigs, LV500’s and Green Pumpkin Flukes on Carolina rigs. You have fish from the bank out to 30’ - and they aren’t scared to be around the sand…

Horsethief Reservoir: No Report

Owyhee Reservoir: Ok but sporadic is the most common report for bass at Owyhee - however, the size is excellent. Early and late topwater seems to be the most predictable bite. In between its been a bit of a fight! Best baits that I have heard of are the ol’ reliable senko on a Neko or drop shot, Sensei worm on a Shakey head, IRR Jig in the Blue Craw color and glide baits. Crappie are still pretty snappy and can be caught just about anywhere. One customer reported catching better sized fish around the steeper stuff. He was throwing the IRR Underspins that he earned about in this newsletter and also caught a few smallies on them!

Owyhee River: No Report

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Fishing reports were really solid for Lucky Peak this week. Some fish further along in their color change than others but it looks like we have a week or so to fish here still. I’ll keep my finger on the pulse of this one to see how the spawn advances here. Main reports were from guys catching fish in 25-40’ depending on how close to the dam you were. Shallower the closer to the dam is a tip that I was given. Pinks, oranges and blacks were the colors of dodgers that were recommended. Sounds like a few trout were caught by some bank anglers using powerbait - said they caught several decent fish REALLY early and then nothing the entire rest of the day!!

Arrowrock Reservoir: No Report

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Lots of fish still biting - definitely noticing the color change! Looks like we have another week here. Fish are still everywhere - I’d say Curlew is doing the best. Pick your favorite color - they’re all working! Don’t forget about the bass fishing! If you are new to bass fishing or want to take your kids out and have almost guaranteed success - this might be your place. A Ned rig and a Z Man TRD or Crush City Ned BLT will be an all day fish catcher! Might not catch giants but you will be busy taking 1 pounders off the line!

Payette Lake: No Report.

Salmon and Steelhead Report by Cody Ard!

No Update this Week

Local Ponds: No Reports this week,

WIN A NEW ROD JUST FOR FISHING!!, Something Cool is Coming to IRR…, MH Link Casting Rods are BACK IN STOCK, More Rods Arriving Soon Including the Fastest Sold Out Rod We’ve Ever Had - The Draggin!, Fall Fishing Prediction…

. NEW ROD GIVEAWAY!!! We have a NEW VERSION of our MEDIUM LINK SPINNING RODS shipping in a few weeks. WE ARE GOING TO GIVE ONE AWAY!! Catch a fish wearing any of the new Idaho Rod and Reel apparel - tag us on social media or send me the picture - and you will be entered to win the rod!! If you do tag us on socials - MESSAGE me as well to let me know you did! Sometimes we don’t get notified…
Idaho Rod and Reel is committed to creating a unique experience for our customers. Whether it’s providing custom rods and tackle, opportunities to learn or meet experts, lunches and activities to meet and hang out with other anglers thru community building events, one of a kind apparel items, food drives and community outreach events and so on - it is our mission to share our love of fishing and find ways to help you fall more in love with this sport!! WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT WE HAVE COMING SOON!! Can’t wait…
Medium Heavy Link Rods are BACK IN STOCK! This is our #1 Selling Rod! We have upgraded the reel seat to our very own design - constructed from 100% carbon fiber to save weight and for comfort in your hands. Both cork and carbon fiber options are available. This is a Multi-Purpose rod designed to be able to handle multiple techniques.
We are expecting more rods to ship this week including the “Draggin” Jig rod that was the fastest rod to sell out that we have produced! We are also expecting the Link Medium Spinning Rods (NEW GEN 2 VERSION!!), Imperium Blue rods and a surprise NEW BUILD to be showing up soon!
I have a prediction that this fall will be one of the best seasons for fishing that we have had in a very long time! The water levels, fish sizes, bait availability make me think that this will be the BEST SEASON TO CATCH A PB IN A LONG TIME!! We have some plans to help you with that…
Shop is STOCKED! Some very cool products and brands arriving almost daily!
^{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

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Idaho Department of Fish & Game

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