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Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Idaho Fishing This Week

Author

Ryan Chris
January 23, 2023

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Trout fishing has been good according to many anglers visiting the shop. Fish still being caught from the bank by the dam and trolling has been effective. Try starting that trolling route closer to the shore than you might think. Rapalas, Salmos and other small crankbaits are working for those trolling.

Boise River: Steelhead are being caught around the bridges. Try roe! Overall trout fishing has been steady. Give good ol' store bought shrimp under a float a try.

Brownlee: No report. I will try to get one and will post it on our social media sites.

Swan Falls - Above the Dam: Bass fishing has been slow. Look for areas that have been in the sun the longest.

Swan Falls - Below the Dam: Sounds like the bass fishing has been really difficult. I might give the back eddies a try with a Carolina rigged tube, dragged slowly. I saw another picture of a nice sturgeon caught below the dam this week on Ardcore pickled herring. We have octopus in the shop right now! Killer sturgeon bait and likely something they haven't seen!

Wilson Springs: Lots of trout being caught...powerbait, worms and crappie jigs.

Owyhee River: Still a good mix of ice and low water - though still fishable. If you're going to throw flies - it's midge and streamer season. And carry more than one style of midge...that's just midge 101 stuff! Shrimp under a float might work (wink wink!) as well.

Cascade Reservoir Perch/ICE: Best advice I can give is get on facebook and get involved on the local ice fishing pages. Valley Bait and Tackle does a facebook live report regularly - full of great info. Fishing has remained decent and some beautiful perch are being caught. Good customer of the shop caught them on small curly tail jigs tipped with worm as well as one on a perch colored shad rap.

Horsethief Reservoir/ICE: Steady action is being reported. Worm and marshmallow are always a decent bet on stocked fish.

Duck valley/ICE: Fishing very well. Powerbait is always a good bait there.

Snaker River - Marsing: Getting reports that the water clarity is a little off but clearing up downstream of Homedale. Bass are being caught - try that Carolina rig! No report on catfish at the moment.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Kokanee are being caught! Wouldn't call it hot and heavy but the rainbow trout are keeping things interesting in between kokes. Might be playing a little bit of musical boat ramps depending on ice as the last couple days and evenings have been very cold, but last I heard - spring shores is the ramp of choice right now.

Shop News

  • Cool new baits this week from Hookup Baits and DEPS! Pics and notes on these baits in the Bait Spotlight below.

  • Idaho Rod and Reel announces Bass Fishing 101 Class to be held February 4. Sign up on our website - PRICE: FREE!

  • Idaho Rod and Reel announces a Kokanee Class taught by Alan with Kokabow Tackle to be held on February 11th. Sign up on our website - PRICE: FREE!

  • Registration open for our Beginning Fly Tying Class. Sign up on our website.

  • Loyalty Rewards Program is live! Earn points with every purchase towards discounts and other great deals.

Worth Watching

A brilliant video that a good friend of mine sent me this week on bass movements

Technically Speaking...

An article that I recently enjoyed about winter crappie fishing:

6 Ways to Catch More Crappie This Fall and Winter

I have found fall and winter to be my favorite time to catch crappie. Granted most will agree that a crappie out of cold water just tastes better, I actually find a lot more enjoyment in finding and catching them this time of year. Where the fish can get real scattered in the spring in [...]Read More... from 6 Ways to Catch More Crappie This Fall and Winter

https://www.wired2fish.com/crappie-fishing/6-ways-to-catch-more-crappie-this-fall-and-winter/#slide_6

Local and National Fishing News

F&G conducting winter fish survey on Lake Cascade in January | Idaho Fish and Game

https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/fg-conducting-winter-fish-survey-lake-cascade-january

DAIWA: Premium, Award-Winning Combos

http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=321494&f=96178&s=102669&m=868636&t=90b4cabee533b419eaf03e6b61c7e438407efa9c7bbadf30b31791b66b8173b7

Share this with your Kiddos! Wildlife Express from Idaho Fish and Game:

Wildlife Express | Idaho Fish and Game

https://idfg.idaho.gov/education/wildlife-express

Bassmaster College Series Season Kicks Off on Harris Chain - The Fishing Wire

The best college fishing teams in the country return to central Florida for the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Harris Chain.

https://thefishingwire.com/bassmaster-college-series-season-kicks-off-on-harris-chain/

Bait Spotlight - New in the Shop

Say Hello to Hookup Baits!

Idaho Rod and Reel is now the only tackle shop in Idaho proudly stocking Hookup Baits Jigs! Hookup Baits are premium soft plastic bait with a versatile design. They can be trolled, vertically jigged or casted. Take a look at their website and come visit us in the shop to take a look at a bait that not many fish in our area have ever seen!

UNIQUE SINKING ACTION WILL CATCH BASS, TROUT, CRAPPIE, PERCH and WALLEYE...And Probably your Pet Goldfish.

Hookup Baits

Hookup Baits

https://hookupbaits.com/

Deps now in Stock!

Idaho Rod and Reel is excited to announce that we will be stocking Deps! Deps is an amazing Japanese brand known for baits such as the Cover Scat, the Bullflat and the Bullshooter.

Catch Spotlight

Congrats Maison! Is that an Idaho Rod and Reel Jerkbait I see :)

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

"Don't grow up and stop playing! Play is as good for adults as it is for kiddos."

Ryan Chris - to a customer that had a rough week (love ya bro - you know who you are!)