Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Mixed reports this week. Early in the week, lots of great reports. That changed a bit as we moved into the weekend and them some were on ‘em, and some were not. As it relates to the bass fishing, there are still fish up shallow and they can be caught dragging tubes, jigs and rolling Keitechs. However, there is also a group of fish that have moved into their deeper summer patterns. Not a bad time to start looking up the Snake River arm. Deeper diving crankbaits are still getting bit early and drop shots and Neds are working as the sun gets up over head. Spend some time looking for flats that have mixed rock, sand, mud or grass that are close to deeper drop offs with protection from the current. Crappie fishing has been steady up in the narrows. Several reports of fish still being caught very close to the banks but in deeper, steeper places. For me, I’m fishing baits that I can cast up to the banks and swim back to me or swing back to me on a semi tight line. The guys I know catching the bigger fish have taken the suggestion to fish Keitechs for them. Your favorite crappie jigs are still a great option but we have seen really good fish on the little paddle tails…

Boise River: Flows are steady right now but we saw a few peaks mixed in. I flew to Las Vegas for a couple of days with my wife and was shocked at how much snow we saw in the mountains as we flew over!! So still more to flow into our lakes and streams. That being said, good fishing in the Boise and some really nice browns being caught closer to downtown. Couple customers tried the drop shot for the first time and were pretty surprised by their success! For bigs - you know what I’m throwing…jerks and cranks! Dynamic Lures HD Trout are always a good choice. Little hint…little bit of led wrapped on the hook shanks or a led Suspendot (come see me if you don’t know what that is) can help you fish a bit deeper…

Brownlee: Foot and a half from full. Fishing really well for bass, crappie and cats. For the catfish, the points extending into the reservoir between Brownlee dam and Woodhead are consistent producers. If you have your two-pole permit, you can catch plenty of bass/crappie while you wait for your cat rod to get dunked! Cut baits and nightcrawlers will get it done. For the bass, longer, mildly sloping banks with a deep water retreat are producing the bigger fish. If you have the kids with you and size doesn’t matter - any rock pile will hold something between 9-14”. Curly tail grubs are great for kids and adults alike! They absolutely still get bit and look great on the back of a jig 😉. Jerkbaits/walking baits/poppers have been ok early and then again late as the sun is setting. Drop shots, Texas rigged Nikko craws and tubes are working as well. Carolina rigging your favorite creature bait is never a bad idea at Brownlee.

Snake River: Flows fluctuated a bit this week but lots of fish biting. Catfish are on fire and bass won’t leave a popper alone. An old school Rebel Pop-r is not a bad choice. The tungsten finesse jigs are smashing bass right now! Store manager has a great new trailer to use on a jig that we are going to feature later this week. Coppertreuse Z Man TRD’s on an Idaho Rod and Reel Ned will get bit ALL DAY.

Wilson Springs: Biggest complaint is that the moss and grass are making it tough. Still plenty of trout to catch but might need to add a little weight to your offerings to get away from shoreline “stuff”. Nightcrawlers, powerbait and a crappie jig or Ultralight Heavyweight Jig = pictures of fish in hand!

Lake Lowell: The lake is fishing well. If you are struggling to catch them, Levi recommends a technique that he is using to consistently catch right now…He says throw your flipping bait (he is POUNDING fish on the Nikko Craw right now) at the base of the trees and just leave it. Let it set for a 10-15 seconds and pay attention to your line!! As it starts to run away - hit em! The frog bite has been good! Buzzbaits are getting bit as well! One of my favorites in the weeds is the 3.8 Keitech in white rigged with a belly weighted EWG hook. Can fish it on top, middle or bottom - on the same cast - just by adjusting the level of your rid tip.

Cascade Reservoir: Great report from Carson Miller about the perch being on all the shallow rock piles - he was able to catch them on Keitechs by the roadbed. Tough to beat a perch shad rap or a flicker shad trolled however! Bass fishing has picked up a bit. Bring your favorite search baits and cover water. There are still fish shallow but there are also fish that have moved out a bit. A carolina rig should be in your arsenal in my opinion.

Horsethief Reservoir: Good fishing at Horsetheif right now. Very consistent producer - I’d start down by the dam with spinners or nightcrawler. Sneaky little method is to just fish a simple split shot rig with a nightcrawler. Set a slit shot just above a small swivel - then add 18” of leader and thread a worm on. Cast and retrieve slowly…hold on tight! But not too tight. But tight enough. Just set your drag 😄.

Owyhee Reservoir: Crappie fishing is excellent! Your favorite panfish plastic should get the job done just about anywhere. If you’re not getting bit within 10 minutes - move! And add a crappie nibble…those darn things have taste buds…its true - look it up! We should have a huge restocking of the Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimons this week…deadly crappie bait. Bass are still being caught up shallow but with the murky water, you’re going to need to make a lot of casts to try to pinpoint them. Spinnerbaits, squarebills and maybe a white senko 😉.

Owyhee River: Fishing really well for both fly and tackle anglers. Fish are in the tail outs and up VERY close to the banks. Sorry about the smell - that would be the millions of dead crappie in the bushes behind you 🫢.

Duck valley: No new update from the tribal site but if you can go - you should. It’s fishing really well. Nightcrawlers and powerbait from the bank, shallow cranks or try trolling a fly rod with a sinking line and a seal bugger…game on.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Fish are biting! They are moving down and so down riggers and weights are in play. You can still catch them near the surface early but I’d expect to be fishing most of the day between 25 and 40’. Maybe deeper…purples and blacks start to play as we get deeper - keep that in mind.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Same report as Lucky Peak for Kokanee. Don’t forget that Arrowrock is not a bad smallmouth fishery and a fun change of scenery. Arrowrock bass love topwater poppers and tubes!

Anderson Ranch: Same report for kokanee as the other reservoirs. PURPLE! Bass are being caught - small to medium sized fish but willing in many sections. Light carolina rigs, keitechs, whopper ploppers and tubes are great options.

Local Ponds: Pay attention to the bass/trout ponds…when trout get stocked, bass get food! A rainbow trout keitech can help you catch a good pond lunker! Lots of ponds still very fishable for trout after fish and game loaded up for free fishing day.

Shop News - Customer Appreciation Month! Raffles, New Products, Restocks and More!

• Thank you to everyone for your support of our little shop!! EVERY purchase from now until the end of the month earns you a raffle ticket into a grand prize drawing of your choice. Available to win we have a Bass prize, a Trout/Kokanee prize and a Sturgeon/Catfish prize. The Bass prize is MY TERMINAL box!! Well - one that looks just like mine…for those that have seen it know that it is full of tungsten weights, premium hooks and jig heads and everything you need to fish around here - all stored in the Plano Edge terminal box. The Trout/Kokanee is a box of the best selling baits in the shop! The Catfish/Sturgeon prize is a rod, weights and BKK hooks.

• RANDOM DRAWINGS ALL MONTH!! FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA!! THERE WILL BE 2 on MONDAY!!

• Keitech, Shad Raps, Flicker Shads, Mad Katz, Hellcats, Penn Reels and many other items will be RESTOCKED this week!!!

• CRAPPIE and TROUT fishers…custom rods built just for you coming SOOONN!!!

• We will have our first Good Fish and Good Guppies meetings and activities in June! We have been waiting for materials to show up and have just had so many issues getting things produced and delivered on time. It still has not arrived!! I don’t care…moving on without it!!

• Rods…something very cool is coming 😉 

• Check out our social media this week for 5 ways to modify and fish one of my favorite baits - the Reaction Innovations Man Bear Pig!

• 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

Local Idaho Dad!

Technically Speaking...

Loop knot! Add action to your baits…

Fluke Fishing! If you’re not fishing these…I’m sorry.

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Important Dates in June!!

I shouldn’t watch these…but I do. Don’t judge me 😜 

Current Trout Stocking

Entertaining Sturgeon Catch!

Salmon Reports

Watch this if you have a fish finder!

Walleyes in the News

Swim Jig Time!

Downrigger “Stuff”

Whopper Plopper Hits!

New in the Shop

Purpledescent Shad Rap!! Trout and Perch Slayer!

Catch Spotlight

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

I think Colby is going for a “Most Consecutive Pics in the Newsletter” record!! And I’m sooo cool with that!!

Jenny new the lizard would be the deal at Lowell!

Paul is usually helping kids catch bass - took some time for himself and got a FIRST!! We love firsts…

Cody Ard and Clients showing off a little SUCCESS!!

Kekoa on another great Largemouth!

Travis with another great Lowell bass!! Some decent fish in there this year!!

Tyler found an awesome bass at….haha just Kidding Tyler! Secret is safe with me 😉 

A huge fan of the shop with some advice for you…

Brian with a Snake River Smallie…he looks miserable 😄 

Dominic let me know that the topwater bite at Lowell is juuuuussstt fiiiinnnnee!

Albert and bass = happiness!!

Lisa getting it done at Lowell!! Great catch!

Jeremy with the Snake River “Grand Slam”…of sorts 🤣 

Zach with a couple of AWESOME kokes!! Little hint…not at Lowell.

Kyle catches bass in between fighting fires!! Love this guy!

Our bass instructor Cody Murray had an interesting trip recently. Here’s the story…while taking a picture of a 3.5# smallie, a rod was set on the deck with Keitech dangling just under the surface…until a 2# smallmouth hit the bait and ripped the rod and reel off the boat!! After throwing crankbaits for a few hours trying to dredge the bottom - rod, reel AND BASS - were safely aboard!!