Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: With a few sunny days last week, there were a few decent reports. The best way to catch fish out there right now is to get some Berkley Flicker Shads, Salmo Hornets and other cranks and get trolling. Perch, crappie, trout and bass can be caught this way. Trout fishing below the dam can be decent right now. Try small cranks, jerkbaits and spinners as well as drifting Berkely Power Nymphs or Ultralight Heavyweights Jigs under floats. From the bank, simple nightcrawler and powerbait rigs can catch em. For the bass guys, I don’t think you need to move around much or make long runs with the boat. Should be decent amounts of smallies in the main bowl. Try blade baits and drop shots - bites will be in “windows”…might be slow for a few hours and then fish on for an hour…and then off. The sturgeon bite has been really consistent. Pickled and cut baits have been doing the work.

Boise River: Trout fishing has been really good and steelhead fishing has been steady! Ultralight Heavyweights Jigs, Nightcrawlers, Power Nymphs and even a simple soft bead under a float will get you on the trout. For the steelhead, I’d have one rod with a soft bead or WFO egg cluster and a second rod with a Steelhead Slammer spinner and I’d be feeling very confident! If you are struggling to catch one of the steelhead - maybe this will help. The best steekheaders I know are constantly adjusting the depth of their baits in an effort to fish just a few inches off the bottom. Steelhead stocking locations are listed below.

• Glenwood Bridge

• Americana Bridge

• Below the Broadway Avenue Bridge behind Boise State University

• West Parkcenter Bridge

• Barber Park

Brownlee: Brownlee is just about full at 2070. This creates really good bank fishing opportunities - even when it gets cold. If you are going to target crappie, they will be a bit sluggish so tip the odds in your favor by adding scent/bait. Crappie nibbles can help significantly with negative fish. For the bass, throw somwthing you can work slowly - a blade bait, a drop shot or a drop shot.

Hells Canyon Steelhead fishing has been really good. There are quite a few steelies in the system and they have been biting aggressively on back-trolled mag lips and flat fish. At the bottom of the steps, try drifting jigs tipped with coonies and/or just a jig head with a coonie under a float.

Snake River: While some sections are still producing, others seem to be void of fish in terms of bass. Try fishing between Celebration Park and Swan Falls dam for smallies. Catfish are still being caught. They tend to school up a bit and move deeper and less as it gets colder. What that means for the angler is don’t stay in one spot too long.

Wilson Springs: Good fishing right now - especially on the sunnier days. Sunlight starts a whole cascade of good things that gets the bugs moving - and fish! Ultralight Heavyweights jigs continue to catch like crazy here as well as powerbaits and single salmon eggs on a small hook.

Lake Lowell: No report this week.

Lake Cascade: No report. The talk in terms of ice is that we are looking at January - bummer!!

Owyhee River: The water is low. Time to get out the realistic stuff - not a time to be throwing things with flashy colors or blades. Keep it muted in color and look for deeper pools at the bottom of long riffley runs. If you are throwing a float, throw the smallest one you can. If you’re throwing a jig head, throw the lightest you can…get finesse-y!

Owyhee Reservoir: Couple guys caught some fish here last week - crappie! The bite was slow but consistency paid off. Keeping tipped baits in the strike zone ultimately paid off. The smaller baits were more productive. No bass reports that I heard.

Duck valley: I think this is where we will be ice fishing first… From the Tribal website:

Warmer southern Idaho weather has last week’s quick-freeze defrosting throughout the valley, where snow accumulation of approximately five inches has rescinded by at least two, and the valley floor is now covered in a combination of ice, mud and slush, in no particular order.  Blue skies, lots of sun, and warm weather make the beginning of the week the ideal days for trout activity in all the reservoirs, as trout tend to favor warmer weather during the winter cold.  Heavy precipitation and freezing temperatures in the forecast beginning Wednesday, December 6, 2023.  All previously open surface water has iced over, and ice thickness along shorelines is up to 3.5 inches in varied areas. 

Lucky Peak Reservoir: 16% Full. Fish are being caught trolling Kokabow dodgers and baits. As long as the ice stays off and the ramps are open - the fish are still going to bite. Not a bad idea to join the Idaho Kokanee Fishing group on Facebook…

Arrowrock Reservoir: 53% Full. No report.

Anderson Ranch: 85% Full. No Report.

Local Ponds: Fishing should be decent in most of the designated “Family Waters” as they are being stocked heavily. Simple powerbait and nightcrawler rigs will work as will Ultralight Heavyweights jigs.

Shop News - Pre-Ordering For Rods is LIVE NOW! Deals and New Products

• The Idaho Rod and Reel Link and Signature Jerkbait rods are available for pre-order for $119.99. These are premium rods - build on high modulus graphite with Fuji components and woven carbon grips. These were designed entirely by me and meant to give everyone access to a rod that would easily cost twice this much if it had a name brand on it.

• THE WEBSITE DESIGN IS NOT COMPLETE BUT EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO CHECKOUT AND ORDER THE RODS IS THERE!!

• FREE CLASS! COLDWATER BASS FISHING! How to catch them from late fall to early spring, taught by former FLW professional, Cody Murray. This will be a conversation style session where questions and conversation are encouraged. Join us Saturday the 16th in the Learning Center at 10am. No need to sign up but an email or heads up would be great! [email protected]

• The 2024 Idaho Bass Nation Banquet is right around the corner and tickets are available at Idaho Rod and Reel. Tickets are $45/ea and include a brisket buffet style dinner and the opportunity to listen to guest speaker and Professional bass angler Brandon Palaniuk! Event will be held in Caldwell at the Elks Lodge on January 20 - 6pm. More details in the shop!

• Come in and check out all of our discounts right now for Christmas…Shimano SLX reels for $45, baits for 50% off, tackle storage for CHEAP and a ton more.

• The Food Drive is going very well!! Thank you to everyone! We will continue to collect for another couple of weeks. Bring in a canned food item and I will trade you a hat!

• Idaho Rod and Reel will be taking a percentage of our sales from now until Christmas to provide families that are struggling right now with Christmas presents and other needs. IF YOU KNOW OF A FAMILY THAT COULD USE A LITTLE HELP, PLEASE COME AND TALK TO ME!! IF YOU’RE FAMILY COULD USE SOME HELP THIS YEAR, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE COME AND TALK TO ME!!

• We are taking orders for the Christmas Mystery Tackle Boxes! Tell your significant other to come and talk to me about getting what you really want for Christmas…

• Keep an eye on our Social Media platforms. Cool stuff coming…(Selling the drama!!)

• I’d love to hear from you about products that you would like to see in the shop. Email me at [email protected]…one random suggestion just might end up winning you a prize

Worth Watching

This is just entertaining!

Technically Speaking...

Steelhead Bead Set Ups!

How to fish those beads you just set up!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Quagga Saga…

Steelhead Stuff!

Winter = Clean Up Your Mess Time!

Wouldn’t call it a “secret” but a good video nonetheless!

Current Trout Stocking

These guys are great when it’s cold!

New in the Shop

Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Jigs - New Version of One of the Most Successful Baits in the Shop. Meet the “Vader” jig. These are tied on a BKK hook with one of the best bait keepers out there.

Catch Spotlight

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

Leno with one from Mexico!

Tom with a good one from the river!

Elias with a hard earned one on a Steelhead Slammer!

My man Paul with a smallmouth! See…it ain’t too cold!