Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Water temps in the very low 40’s - most of the fish are sitting tight to the bottom. From the banks, throw bottom rigs with nightcrawlers or powerbait. From the boats - time to find the schools and fish vertically. For crappie and perch, use smaller jig heads and plastics tipped with bait. For bass, grab a blade bait and a ned or tube jig. Trout can be caught trolling and can be mixed throughout the water column. On sunny days, start your troll a little closer to the bank as the sun light gets the bug eco system going….

Boise River: Trout fishing remains good on the river. This is a great time of the year to catch a big brown. Commit to throwing larger baits to get a big one. Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassador Maison has caught several big ones and throws his bass jerkbaits at ‘em. You’re looking for walking paced water at the end of a riffley (not sure that’s a word??) or look for eddies. Steelhead are still being caught! Egg patterns are working…Planting locations listed below.

• Glenwood Bridge

• Americana Bridge

• Below the Broadway Avenue Bridge behind Boise State University

• West Parkcenter Bridge

• Barber Park

Brownlee: Lots of water in Brownlee right now - almost full. This creates some decent bank opportunities. Fish will be on the bottom and in 30-40 feet. Try rolling a Keitech, working a drop shot with a 1/4 or 3/8oz weight or flip a ½oz blade bait around.

Hells Canyon Steelhead fishing remains really good. Egg patterns under floats and jigs tipped with coon shrimp.

Snake River: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK with a few changes…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. Try a simple tube jig - I prefer the more slender Dry Creek versions Texas Rigged with a small worm weight and a thin wire hook like the Rebarb or Owner Cover Shot. 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: Keep it simple out here right now…ultralight heavyweight jigs and powerbait rigs…

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: SAME REPORT! Customer called on Tuesday to let me know just how accurate this report was. Not patting myself on the back (my arms are too short)…just letting you know that this is still accurate. 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: No report this week.

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

Partly cloudy skies here to stay for the week.  Warmer winter temps continue to melt the remaining snow, leaving behind lots of fun and gooey daytime mud, that quickly turn into solid lumps of frozen earth during the dark and moonless overnight quick freeze.  The weather for the week looks to be rock-steady with little to no precipitation and a moderate winter temperature.  All previously open surface water has iced over, and ice thickness along shorelines is currently less than 2 inches thick in varied areas. 

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Good fishing reported at Lucky Peak right now. Some frost on the ramps early in the morning but not sticking. Trolling Kokabow Dodgers and bugs will work. Pink remains the color of choice. Customer had a GREAT DAY!! with their first time using a Brads Kokanee Cut Plug. Good mix of trout and Kokes being caught.

Arrowrock Reservoir: 53% Full. Decent reports from the bank over by the boat ramp for trout anglers using nightcrawlers.

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 - New IRR Beanies! Pre-Order Rods, Great Deals and New Products from DAMIKI

• New Idaho Rod and Reel Beanies are available for just $12.99. Super soft and just in time for cold weather fishing. These products really help the shop so thank you for the support and being part of the IRR family!

• 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!!

• UPDATE ON LINK AND JERKBAIT RODS: These have shipped and we are hoping to see them this week but will not know more until Tuesday. I may send out a special newsletter announcement with that update.

• Check out the New Damiki product in stock now! The Air Craw paired with a finesse jig??? You gotta see it…

• 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!

• We still have some great deals running on several products for Christmas.

• 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!!

• IF YOU PROCRASTINATED on your Christmas shopping, come talk to me about a Christmas Mystery Tackle Box. Easily one of the best selling items in the shop right now!

• 2024 is going to be an exciting year for the shop! Changes coming…something for the YOUTH!!

• 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 interesting!

Technically Speaking...

Double Snell for Kokanee Rigs

How to Make Your Own Kokanee and Trout Lures

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Mercury Bass…

Steelhead Stuff!

No LIVESCOPE League??

New Bobber Fishing Method for Steelhead

Current Trout Stocking

What a cool article about fishing for Cold Water Crappies!

New in the Shop

Damiki 3” Air Craws!!!/

New Idaho Rod and Reel Beanies are Here! Just $12.99

Catch Spotlight

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

This crazy cat needs one of the IRR Beanies!! Good catches Scott!

Skyler proving it ain’t too cold!

This is why you go to Hells Canyon with Cody Ard and Hells Canyon Adventures!

Maison on the big browns again!