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A Quick 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: Been a great week at CJ for darn near everything. Perch fishing has been excellent with simple drop shot rigs with jigs and hooks tipped with nightcrawlers or crappie nibbles. Throw a ned rig on as your bottom bait and tie a few drop shot lines above that! Fish have been on the bottom and reports are in 10-20’. Bruneau has been the talk but there will be fish in the narrows and around any main lake offshore humps. You’re likely to catch some crappie this same way! Trolling has been really effective with Salmo Hornets, Flicker Shads and Shad Raps - with plenty of trout starting to show up closer to the banks 10-15’. Days are getting shorter and while weekend temps didn’t suggest fall is around the corner - the length of day is and that’s what move most of these fish. It’s my favorite time of the year to fish and I expect fishing to be great for a while. Bass have been shallow and are being caught on the IRR Tungsten Finesse jigs, drop shot Roboworms and Strike King Dream Shots, Ned Rigs - I’m fishing the Crush City Ned BLT’s and might not be a bad idea to have a jerkbait and topwater rigged. Sturgeon fishing has been excellent and will only improve as the water cools a bit. Just below the dam has been very consistent but there are literally hundreds in the reservoir. If you’d like a few suggestions for main lake locations, come and see me at the shop and I’ll get you heading in the right direction.

Boise River: We are coming up on my favorite time to fish the Boise. The weather and water start to get cold enough that we don’t have to worry about floaters and the water is usually pretty low - congregating fish in deeper runs and pools. Cranks and jerks in dark brown/orange and in all white are great options. I’m a huge fan of a small gulp worm or minnow on a light drop shot tumbled along in the current. Drop shotting trout is INCREDIBLY effective and with a handful of different weights in your pocket, you can cover different depths quickly and easily.

Brownlee: Sitting at 2049.7. The Spring Rec Ramp is still accessible - use the old side ramp. Little PSA as well - watch your parking if you park on the rocky hill next to the old ramp and not in the parking spots above the ramp. Just be considerate that others might be parking there as well. Heard about a little scuffle at the ramp that could have been avoided. Fishing is excellent. I was there this weekend and had a great time with my son. The IRR Tungsten Finesse jig was 100% the deal and we went thru SEVERAL bags of trailers! Drop shots also worked and if you want to catch a few catfish, throw a jerkbait up in to 5’ of water 😆! If you take the kiddos, throw a Z Man Finesse TRD on an IRR EWG tungsten Ned head and fish around mud and rocks. They will have a great time! Crappie fishing has really picked up as well and I talked to multiple anglers that caught them trolling in 10-20’ around ANY main lake point or at the mouth of coves. Small Keitech easy Shiners are catching them as well. Ran into multiple customers on the water this weekend and lots of you had kind words to say about the baits and techniques we have been recommending for the crappie at Brownlee…That’s awesome!! Means people are catching!! The crappie are big - not as prevalent as they are at the Owyhee but the size more than makes up for it. The catfishing is absolutely on fire right now and the fish are SHALLOW!!! I caught a 15+ pound flathead in less than 6’ of water on an IRR Tungsten Jig…and multiple 2-5# channels on a jerkbait in less than 10’.

Snake River: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK!! Fishing well. Green pumpkin flukes, IRR Tungsten Finesse Jigs, topwater walking baits or soft plastic topwater baits, drop shots, tubes, Crush City 3.5” Mayor and senkos. ALL GREAT OPTIONS!!

Wilson Springs: No report.

Lake Lowell:  Lots of fish being caught! Keep it simple…chatterbait or spinnerbait on the weed edges, Crush City Clean Up Craw and an IRR Tungsten 3/4oz Flipping weight 3-5’ into the weeds and a frog or horny toad for everything else!! Fish are in 6’ or less and plenty of action!

Cascade Reservoir: Perch fishing has picked up quite a bit as has the trout fishing - both being caught readily on the troll. Perch and crayfish colored cranks have been the best. Lots of trout in less than 20’ is the tip I received. Bass have been biting a little better - in the rocks and on the sandy points. Drop shots, ned rigs, tubes and IRR Tungsten Finesse jigs all caught fish that I know of. As did a few jerkbaits and lipless cranks!

Horsethief Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: Great spot to fish right now. Bass fishing has slowed a bit but some good sized fish have been caught. ¾ and 1oz football jigs paired with a Clean Up Craw is a great option. I’d have a Dream Shot on a drop shot, a Senko on a Neko rig and don’t forget about the topwater bite early. Walking baits, whopper ploppers and buzzbaits can all get bit. Crappie are still EVERYWHERE! Bigger fish are starting to show up but I’m not hearing of much over 10-11”.

Owyhee River: No Report this week. It would be on my shortlist of places to fish as the temps cool…JERKBAITS!! Big ones…4”.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!! FINALLY!!!

From the Reservation Website:

July 28, 2025 – Billy Shaw Reservoir remains in good condition with healthy water levels and clear visibility near the shoreline. Aquatic vegetation like moss is present along the bottom, supporting fish and insect life. Wildlife activity is high, with large numbers of ducks, pelicans, and dragonflies observed throughout the day. 

Fishing conditions appear calm but active, with anglers seen kayaking and casting along the shore. Visitors are continuing to enjoy the lake with light recreation, including music and fishing. While it's a long drive, Billy Shaw continues to be a peaceful and worthwhile place to visit, offering a healthy environment for both people and wildlife.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Trout have been biting Kokabow trolling gear in shallow water - less than 20’. Only report I have heard…from a VERY reliable source but still the only report I have heard 🤣 

Arrowrock Reservoir: Bass! Hundreds…of little ones 🤣…probably not worth beating your boat up but if you are a bank angler looking for a little seclusion and/or want to travel light, a trout spinner and a light rod will catch plenty of bass.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Looks like a few kokanee anglers still out catching - all of the pics I have seen are of red ones. Sounds like launching is a bit sketchy as well.

Payette Lake: No report.

QUICK THANK YOU TO ALAN WITH KOKABOW TACKLE FOR THE KOKANEE REPORTS TODAY!! THIS GUY JUST CONTINUES TO WORK SO HARD TO HELP THE COMMUNITY CATCH THESE FISH!

If you would like to book a trip with Alan, he is guiding through Fish and Fur Outfitters. Cost is $250 per seat - 2 person minimum and I can tell from first hand experience - if you want to learn how to get in the game - its worth every penny! He guides on Anderson and Payette Lake!

Local Ponds: Trout stocking will be picking up soon. Fall is a great time to pond hop! Keep an eye on the stocking schedule and keep a rod rigged and ready in your truck!

Reel Life Rewards Going Live, Shop is Stocked for Steelhead and Fall Fishing, Over 100 New Terminal Tackle Items, Link and Imperium Rods Have Shipped - Pre-Sale Coming!

• ^{PLEASE READ!!! I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!!}

• ^{EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE “REEL LIFE REWARDS”!! A BRAND NEW PROGRAM FROM IDAHO ROD AND REEL DESIGNED TO HELP MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO DO THEIR BEST AND GET GOOD GRADES! Participants will receive weekly motivational thoughts, quotes, study strategies and other great life helps! They will also have access to Participant Only events and will earn prizes from Idaho Rod and Reel for their good report cards!! Watch our socials for the announcements! “It is the mission of Idaho Rod and Reel to share our love of fishing and serve in the community that supports our shop.” I like to remind people that Idaho Rod and Reel is A SERVICE business - we want to contribute positively to the community! Selling tackle is good - but helping others is gooderer} 😄 

• ^{WE ARE FULLY STOCKED AND READY FOR FALL STEELHEAD, BASS and have over $2500 in Panfish Baits on the Way!!}

• ^{Over 100 NEW TERMINAL TACKLE ITEMS IN STOCK! Includes hooks, bands, jig heads and more!}

• ^{Check out the new Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Football jigs! These are available in 1/2, 3/4 and 1oz. Great colors specific to our fisheries!}

• ^{NEW TARIFF PRICES ARE IN EFFECT FOR MANY ITEMS! Idaho Rod and Reel spent thousands of dollars on pre-tariff effected items so that we can keep our prices low for as long as possible. If you are looking for new rods and reels - get them now before we replace with items affected by the tariffs!}

• ^{ONE STEP CLOSER!!!!! WE ARE WORKING ON A VERY UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY!! CAN’T WAIT TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT!!}

• ^{Link and Imperium rods HAVE SHIPPED!! Will keep you all posted on their progress!!}

• ^{Bait and equipment reviews coming…along with some How To’s….}

• ^{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

A little Fly Fishing…

Technically Speaking...

Identifying Fish on FFS

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

If you Fish Near Cottonwood!

Steelhead UPDATE!

Local Fish Stocking Reports

Steelhead Dam Counts

One of my favorite baits…

Agree?

Cascade Fall Fishing!

CHECK OUT IDAHO ROD AND REEL’S NEW WEBSITE - idahotacklebox.com!!

I’m throwing one…

Steelhead hardware from the bank! Plunking… 

Ultralight Drop Shotting

Steelhead on Spinners!

Great Video!

New in the Shop

Countdown Minnow ELITE Series!! Absolute fire!!

Limited Run Custom Keitech Colors!! Only a few packages left!

Catch Spotlight

Submit your own entry to be featured in Hook Points to: [email protected], Subject: Catch Spotlight

Jon submitted 4 species this week!! Here are 2 of them!!

The Hustons always find ‘em!!

Ashley and Travis found some bigs!!

Braison, Andre and Logan had a great day! CONGRATS ANDRE ON YOUR FIRST FISH!!!

Lisa with a GIANT!! CONGRATS!!! Someone needs longer arms or shorter fish!! 🤣 

Check out Bustinbassadventures!! Lowell?? 😁 

His and Hers bassessess! 🤣 You guys are awesome… (I spy a red bull can…)

Todd with his PB smallie!! Great catch man! Says he loves his Link spinning rod a little more after catching this guy on it!!

This guy is one of the biggest fans of bass in the WORLD!! He eats, sleeps and breathes bass!! Definitely not a kokanee guy though. He can’t stand those… 🤣 

Meet Eric…winner of the “What did I just catch?” award for the week!

Maison and kids with some Snake River Dino’s!!

Catching two fish per bait, whilst riding a horse?? Come on Jody, now you’re just showing off.

Scott asked Jody if he could catch one and she said, “not by yourself!” 😂 

This guy caught a small fish once…and then said “Never again!”

My son and I had a fun day together! Cannot do this enough!!

For Kokanee Guide Services - check out my good friends!! You will love your trips with them!!