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Fishing Reports
CJ Strike: Another very consistent week of fishing at CJ for all species. Crappie have been hanging out between 15-25’ and can be caught on Jigging Raps and small soft plastics. I often find larger crappie close to the main school of fish but not necessarily directly in it. I like to throw 2.8 Keitechs for these larger fish. For a fun “What am I going to catch?!” style of fishing - get trolling. Flicker shads, Salmos and Sexy Shad colored crankbaits are getting bit right now and it could be any number of species that do it. That Sexy Shad color catches a lot of trout…A decent number of good sized Largemouth and Smallmouth are being caught. For the smallmouth, cranking olive and red craw patterns has been working - along with 3.3 Keitechs, Ned rigs and finesse jigs. For the Largemouth, I’d have a few spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and swim jigs ready to go and I would be looking shallow and covering water. Sturgeon fishing has been really good up the Snake River arm and fair below the dam on cut baits.
Boise River: Flows are up and water is off color. If you are looking to fish here, look at the edges of eddies closer to the bank as this water is usually a bit clearer. If you can get your bait in front of them - they can see it - they just aren’t as likely to see it from too far away - obviously. Throw baits that make a little commotion in the water - spinners with copper blades, small crankbaits and jerkbaits or throw a bright colored little corky on your worm rig. First week in a minute that I haven’t received any fish pics from the river…tough to recommend the river right now.
Brownlee: Water levels are at 2038.4 and rising. As the weather warms and the snow melts - Brownlee will continue to rise. You’re not likely to find clear water but it will be a good idea to look for clean”er” water. Lots of baits are working right now…Neds, drop shots, blade baits, Keitechs, spinnerbaits (for largies in the Powder River), crankbaits with a bit of chartreuse, red or orange and I absolutely would not fish here right now without an Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Jig. Get out and run some of the muddy/rocky mixed banks and see what happens! Catfishing has been really good around Steck Park as well as off some of the sandy/muddy points around Woodhead. Little bit of cut bait, Kool-aid dyed chicken or good old fashioned nightcrawlers are likely to get bit right now.
Snake River: Water levels and clarity are fluctuating so be prepared for that. From the bank, fish more to your left and right than you are directly in front of you and out in the middle. These river bass are starting to come in shallow and casting more parallel to the bank will keep your bait in the strike zone longer than if you are casting out towards the middle. Neds, Tungsten Finesse Jigs, shallow diving cranks and Keitechs would all be in my arsenal. Texas rigged smallie beaver…not a bad option as well!
Wilson Springs: Good fishing out here right now. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait have been doing really well - good customer SWEARS by the “Hatchery Pellet” color of Powerbait…makes sense! Levi from the shop loves the Dynamic Lures HD Trout baits here…
Lake Lowell: Stay on the move and cover water was my advice last week and quite a few of you said that worked…It’s still my advice this week. Chatterbaits and the Baby Bass Idaho Rod and Reel Spinnerbait caught fish as did Texas rigged Berkley Chigger Craws and wacky rigged Senkos. Around the rockier areas, you can catch good smallmouth on Ned rigs and drop shots. Target the warmer parts of the day…
Lake Cascade: Sounds like open water is starting to be visible. Stay tuned…spring fishing at Cascade is almost upon us,
Horsethief Reservoir: No report.
Owyhee River: High water and fluctuating. Not where I would be targeting to fish at the moment. Gonna be off for a bit…
Owyhee Reservoir: Reservoir is inches from full…fishing reports have been decent. Cranking 10-12’ divers, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and ½ to ¾oz jigs with craw trailers would be on my boat. Crappie are schooled up and starting to hang out in the wind protected coves according to a very reliable source. He caught several in a matter of minutes using the Z Man Micro Finesse baits and the good ol’ Red and White tube!
Duck valley: From the Tribal Website:
April 3, 2024 –The ice has been clear from the reservoirs for over a month now, and there is practically nothing left over from the last winter blast that blindsided the valley. Weather has been in accordance with the Spring season, considering how mild the winter has been, but heavy precipitation expected in the forecast lie ahead.
The Billy Shaw reservoir opened to fly fisherman April 1, 2024, with anglers out enjoying the exclusive trophy-trout fly fishing experience from a variety of non-motorized floaters and tubes; the electric-motor only waters are located along the west end of the reservation. Mountain View has been doing really good as well, where anglers are pulling big trout that have grown fat over the winter from dining on a buffet of baitfish and giant water beetles.
Lucky Peak Reservoir: Water is off color and fishing has been tough. Reports of 3-4 fish after a decent days effort are what I am hearing.
Arrowrock Reservoir: Better reports from Lucky Peak…but barely.
Anderson Ranch: Better fishing hear at the moment but still plan on putting in a good effort. Pink and white are the colors that I have heard mentioned a few times now. Fish are still up on top. Long lines 80-120’ feet behind the boat at 1.2-1.5MPH. Don’t forget to zig zag a bit and pay attention to the which rods go off in the middle of your turns. The inside rod slows down and the baits dive a little deeper…opposite for the outside rods.
Local Ponds: Ponds are fishing well for both trout and bass. You’ll notice the ponds connected to the Boise and Snake to be cloudy but fish will still eat. For bass - throw jigs, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits in darker colors. Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassador Colby has had success with and recommends black and blue. For the trout, if the pond is murky - throw something moving like the Dynamic Lures HD baits or the Luckycraft Pointer 65’s.
Shop News - Upcoming Classes, New Products
All About that Bass class being taught by Jordan Rodriguez with Tightlines 208 will be this week!! April 11, 6-8:30pm - cost is $50 and includes tackle!! Class will be in the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center - 2204 Cortland Place. Sign up at tightlines208.com
Curious about throwing big swimbaits for bass?? Class coming very soon!!
Spring Salmon class coming very soon!!
Jordan Rodriguez with Tighlines 208 will also be teaching his class “Let’s go Trolling!” April 24, 6-8:30pm - Cost is $60 and includes a STARTER KIT WITH KOKABOW TACKLE! Register online at tightlines208.com
Please follow us on our NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL! We will be uploading new content this week specifically targeting fundamentals of fishing. This channel is designed specifically to help you fish IDAHO!
Sign up for the Idaho Rod and Reel Good Fish Youth Program is LIVE!! Please visit idahorodandreel.com and select on the Youth Programs tab to sign up! This program is 100% FREE - all expenses are covered by the shop. This program focuses on leadership and self discipline skills that uses fishing and the outdoors as a conduit to deliver the message. Love to have you involved!!
Please check out the idahorodandreel.com ONLINE STORE! We are adding products daily. Local shipping is very affordable and free on orders over $75.
Emails for the Good Fish and Good Guppies program going out this week announcing newsletters and events coming up!
Hey Trout Fishers!! The trout area is an area of the shop that we would really like to improve. If you have bait suggestions, I would LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! [email protected] MIGHT BE A SURPRISE GIFT CARD OR TWO HANDED OUT RANDOMLY FOR SUGGESTIONS!!
New Idaho Rod and Reel Hats are in Stock!
SMACKIN Sunflower Seeds are Back in Stock!!
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
Moon Phases…
Technically Speaking...
You fishing a jig?!
Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”
Idaho Fish and Game - 125 Years!
Drama in the MLF…Again
Timely…
Current Trout Stocking
Trolling for Crappie!
Steelhead/Salmon Update!
Get outside Idaho! And here’s another way to do it…
Spring Kokanee Fishing
Swim Jig Fishing! Its here! No, not yet, Wait…
If you’re just getting in to fishing…The Palomar Knot
New in the Shop
Idaho Rod and Reel Camo and Orange Hat!
Catch Spotlight
Submit your own entry to be featured in Hook Points to: [email protected], Subject: Catch Spotlight
Young bass fisherwoman Marisa experiencing the magic that is the Ned Rig!
Colby doing what Colby does…catch Bass!
My man Eric with a Snake River smallie!
Andrew with a future fish taco 😆
A little peace in the soul for everyone from Ambassador Kim! And a catfish…
They made him work for it but Ard is on the salmon!
One of my favorite people with one of my favorite fish! Paul can catch em…
I yell at Chuck every time he comes in and tell him he needs to go fishing…and he did!! Absolutely MADE MY DAY getting this pic!
Casen with his new PB!!
Dan and friends with some giants!
“If you look at the people in your circle and you’re not inspired…you don’t have a circle, you have a cage.”