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Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
October 22, 2024

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Good fishing! Perch and crappie have been biting and with the cooler weather coming up, I think its going to get better. As mentioned last week, the multi-bait rig with the Ned head at the bottom for perch was a pleasantly surprising set up for a a few of you that gave it a go! Otherwise, simple drop shot style set ups with nightcrawlers should work. Crappie have been biting on just about everything once you find them. Trolling is one way to locate the schools and if you are doing that, Flicker Shads and Salmo Hornets are great options that might catch you a couple trout as well. And probably a smallie or two…look in the narrows in 15-25’ of water and around areas with good bank structure you might find them even shallower. Bass fishing has been really good for some and a bit tricky for most. For those that have been struggling, you might be too shallow. No doubt they will spend some time right now in the shallows but not as likely if the conditions aren’t right. A little chop on the water and overcast skies can keep them up on the banks a little longer but if you’re not finding them there, look in 20-30’ with Neds, drop shots, Carolina rigs and jigs. I’d throw the Missile Baits Micro D Bomb, Roboworm Orange Crusher, Zoom UV Speed Craw in Green Pumpkin Orange and the All Brown Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Jig with a 3” Damiki Air Craw in Dark Pumpkin to match the techniques mentioned in the previous sentence 👍️!

Boise River: Still fishing well despite the new lower flows. Keep it simple…split shot and nightcrawlers or soft beads, Berkley Power Nymphs or Ultralight Heavyweights Jigs under a float or simply tie on a Dynamic Lures HD trout and start casting in areas that have a bit of current and a bit of depth!

Brownlee: Harmful Algae Bloom Warning In Effect. As of 10/21, water levels were at 2048 - UP 3’ from last week. The Spring ramp is still accessible - just need to use the old ramp. There are some REALLY BIG CRAPPIE being caught in the Powder and upstream. Best suggestions for catching them is to look for schools on your electronics - likely going to be in 15-25’ of water suspended in 30-40’ of water and around some structure like an offshore hump or around points. Throw a small Damiki Vault 1/4oz blade bait! Bass fishing has been excellent for small to medium sized fish and decent for larger fish. Drop shots, jigs, Texas rigged craw or beaver style baits (or on a Carolina rig), deeper diving cranks (12-18’) and I’d still have a walking bait with me if I was on the water first thing. Catfishing has been excellent - look shallow, 10-20’ with your favorite bait.

Snake River: Still steadily producing though a couple of bank anglers have mentioned that the fishing seems to have slowed down for them. Still a lot of grass in the water but that’s the Snake for ya. From the bank, I might try a Texas rigged Dry Creek Old Ugly tube or a Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver on an EWG Ned Head - the LEVI RIG! A Keitech on an underspin is a good idea as well and don’t forget topwater! Try a plopper or ARK Z-Pop popper. Catfishing is excellent but the fish are shallow. It’s getting colder, days are getting shorter…big fish need little fish and little fish are where the bugs are - and the bugs are where the sun is = shallow.

Wilson Springs: Just a few reports trickling in from Wilson. Sounds like Powerbait and a little hook with a piece of Nightcrawler will get the job done. As per usual…

Lake Lowell: Mixed reports this past week - to be fair, only a couple reports in total…Sounds like the baits that were working were the Yum Dinger on a wacky hook in the Sinful Shad and a Chartreuse and White Mini Max Chatterbait.

Motorized and Non-motorized boating are allowed April 15 to September 30. Human-powered boats are allowed 200 yards in front of the Upper and Lower Dams between October 1 and April 14. The rest of the lake is set aside for migrating and wintering wildlife.

Cascade Reservoir: Good fishing! Be prepared for the cool mornings!! Perch fishing has been excellent. Ned rigs around the rocks and trolling Flicker Shads, Shad Raps and Salmo Hornets are the tickets. The same cranks are catching a bunch of really nice trout right now as well. Especially if you can find some deeper grass beds with 5-10’ of water on TOP of them. Bass fishing has been mostly good. Crankbaits, jerkbaits and walking baits, lipless cranks, drop shots and Keitech Fat Swings in the 3.3 size are what I would have with me. I like the Tennessee Shad and Smokin White Keitech colors right now.

Horsethief Reservoir: Sounds like the fish are biting at Horsethief according to 2 customers. Spinners casted around the dam and just simple powerbait and nightcrawler rigs were working.

Owyhee Reservoir: Good crappie fishing right now. Look for long main lake points that have access to deeper water nearby. I love blade baits this time of year for them and the 1/4oz Damiki Vault is a good one. It can be cast long distances and can be retrieved multiple ways. One of the best ways is to cast over the school and just let it swing and wobble back through the school. Small plastics will definitely work and one customer recommends talking me into tying some hand tied jigs for you - says they won’t leave them alone! Bass fishing has been decent - try a deeper diving crankbait like a Strike King 5 or 6XD, a 1/2oz jig, a lipless crank and I’d have a jerkbait and drop shot as well! I’d throw the Idaho Rod and Reel Custom Purple jerkbait and either a Roboworm or Great Lake Finesse Drop Worm.

Owyhee River: Couple reports this week that the fishing seems to be a little tricky for the conventional angler with the water dropping. If it were me, I’d start looking for runs that lead in to deeper water and I’d get my baits pretty tight to the bank over the deep water sections. I’m still throwing Dynamic Lures HD Trout lures or even a smaller Rapala Countdown Minnow.

Duck valley: From the TRIBAL WEBSITE:

September 17, 2024 –Colder temperatures dropping down has increased the fishing activity, less than two weeks ago the temperatures were in excess of 70 degrees, and current readings are registering 55-60 degrees, quite a significant drop. All three reservoirs have been productive to anglers; however, moss build-up has congested many off-shore fishing spots. Open water lay further away from the shore in some areas.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: One report from a bank angler that scrambled down the bank around the dam. Caught a few small trout on a Thomas Bouyant spoon and a Nightcrawler fished on the bottom.

Lucky Peak Dam and Lake - WallaWallaUSACE | Boise ID

Lucky Peak Dam and Lake - WallaWallaUSACE, Boise, Idaho. 3,635 likes · 640 talking about this · 1,128 were here. Striving to deliver operational excellence in flood risk management, responsible...

www.facebook.com/LuckyPeakLake

RAMP LEVELS AT LUCKY PEAK!!

Arrowrock Reservoir: Couple ok reports from a few anglers. They caught a couple smaller kokanee and a some rainbows using Kokabow dodgers and bugs fished around 15’ in the morning and deeper as the sun came up. One report from a bank angler that caught TONS of small to medium sized smallmouth on a Blue Fox spinner.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Sounds like bass fishing for smaller fish is excellent and reports are trickling in about a few Kokanee being caught in 20’ of water with Pink and Copper dodgers.

Local Ponds: Some really good bass being caught from the ponds though the reports are that they are tough to catch. Glide baits for the really good ones closer to dusk might be the ticket! Trout have been stocked everywhere and can be readily caught with Powerbait and Nightcrawlers. Small trout spinners are good options as well and can really help you cover water fast.

Shop News - Idaho Rod and Reel Link Rods, Shooting Ball Jig Closeouts, Daiwa Certate Raffle!, Jig Tying Competition, Bulk Tungsten Orders, IMPERIUM (what is it!!??)

LINK ROD UPDATE: Pre-ordering for the next run of Idaho Rod and Reel Link Rods will be live this week. Updates will be announced on our social media platforms. The pre-order price will be $124.99. These rods are built on High Modulus custom blanks manufactured by Idaho Rod and Reel. These blanks ARE NOT AVAILABLE anywhere else! New FOR THIS RUN OF RODS - CORK HANDLED VERSIONS! These rods help fulfill the MISSION of Idaho Rod and Reel to help anglers fall more in love with this great sport - quality equipment is paramount for maximizing opportunities. These rods would easily cost $250 or more if they had a “big brand” name on them which is a price point that most just can’t afford. These are made by a guy that works his butt off for others that work their butts off. The Link rods make it possible for everyone to have a tournament quality custom rod. Or two. Maybe three. 4? Is 4 too much? Nah…5. That’s the right amount. Unless you need 6… 🤣!
Hayabusa Shooting Ball jigs are $3.97 right now!
Hey Jig Tyers! Let’s have some fun and show off your skills! JIG CONTEST!! Each participant can enter 2 jigs. We will be accepting jigs on 10/22 thru 11/1 and voting will begin shortly thereafter! We will have a display area in the shop set up and customers can vote on their favorites! We will also post and give you a shout out on our social media platforms! Voting can be done in the shop only and one vote per customer, per visit, per day is allowed. Prizes will include Idaho Rod and Reel product, gift cards and Apple Air Pods!
BULK TUNGSTEN ORDERS! If you are an angler that uses Tungsten as religiously as I do, we will be offering a one time bulk ordering opportunity. We will have an ordering sheet available in the next few days. Get ready for next season and save a ton of money - some items as much as 40% off. If we are able to order enough as a group, on top of the stocking orders for the shop, we can all benefit!
$5 Daiwa Certate Raffle GOES LIVE ON TUESDAY 10/22!! $5 Raffle Ticket for a chance to win a Daiwa Certate 3000 Spinning Reel valued at $569.99! 2 Tickets per customer allowed! Each ticket that doesn’t win will be entered into our End of the Year SECOND CHANCE RAFFLE from our Fall Kickoff Raffles!
Steelhead Anglers! I plan on having hand tied Steelhead Jigs ready to sell on Thursday. These are tied by me on quality Mustad, Victory and Gamakatsu hooks with premium fly tying materials.
2024 IBM Fall Open forms are IN THE SHOP! Come sign up!
COMING SOON! Fall Bass Fishing Classes!
LADIES ONLY CLASSES COMING SOON! Can’t wait for you to meet our newest instructor!! She has years of experience with multiple species and techniques!! Excited to have a 100% Ladies Only Class coming soon!
Keep an eye out for something new…TACKLE TALK TUESDAYS coming soon!
IN STOCK NOW: Flatfish 7’s and 11’s, Berkley Gulp Minnow - Starry Night (IYKYK), Berkley Gillies, Rat-L-Traps, Zoom UV Speed Craws, Zoom Tiny Flukes, Haken Fireflies Glowing Steelhead Jigs, Aero-Jigs for Steelhead, Spro Power Swivels
Imperium…COMING SOON! 😉
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

Beautiful Idaho…Again!

Technically Speaking...

Winding down for the season - Baitcasting Reel Cleaning Tips

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Fall Fishing from Fish and Game

Fall fishing: Don't let great fishing months slip away

Many bodies of water, whether still water or rivers and streams, are coming back into prime temperatures for fish to get active again. Anglers can find some great fishing as fish aggressively feed before winter.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fall-fishing-dont-let-great-fishing-months-slip-away

Bull Trout!

Idaho is bull trout country

Our state is fortunate to have some of the strongest populations of bull trout across the range, and Idaho Fish and Game along with other state, federal, and tribal partners are working to keep it that way. Enjoy some fantastic underwater footage of this awesome Idaho native trout species and examples of the work being done to continue to conserve the species into the future!

idfg.idaho.gov/article/idaho-bull-trout-country

The Daiwa Certate!

24 Certate

Our flagship model, Exist has personified excellence throughout Daiwa's history, and now the new Exist LT introduces even more ground-breaking Daiwa technology. The all new Exist LT features our brand-new Light & Tough (LT) concept, reducing reel size while at the same time increasing strength and power.

daiwa.us/pages/24-certate

Is it better?!

Current Trout Stocking

Fish Stocking Forecasts

td {width: 33%; max-width: 33%; } This report highlights the monthly fish stocking schedule. Unless noted, fish listed below are all 10 to 12 inch rainbow trout. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions; dates may change due to weather or staffing constraints. The table below shows schedules for all known forecasted stocking and up to the last month's recent stocking schedules. It may take two weeks for stocking data to appear as Historical stocking information. Your patience is appreciated.

idfg.idaho.gov/d7/fish/stocking/forecasts?rid=3

Looks super fishy…