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Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

News, Tips, Tackle and More

Ryan Chris
October 30, 2023

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Even with the cold weather moving in, the bass fishing remains decent and some bigger fish are being caught. Reports of 48 to 54 degree water from Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassador Mike Scimone. For the bass, I’d be throwing a Keitech 3.3 in any pattern that resembles a Crappie - something dark purple/blue on the back and light on the belly. For crappie, look in 15-25’ of water and rig up a Big Bite Baits Swimon with a 1/8oz jig head. Trout fishing is only getting better as the weather and water cool - both for those trolling and from the bank. It’s flicker shads from the boat and powerbait from the bank! They are moving up shallow but will still want to be close to deeper water…

Boise River: Great fishing continues on the river right now. Again, I would fish closer to Boise and there is some really great water in the 2 miles right below the dam. Nightcrawlers on drifting rigs (I like a light, finesse-y Carolina rig) will work but one of my favorite ways to catch them would be with a crappie jig or small plastic under a float. Something about watching a float go down that still gets me excited! A simple Berkley Gulp minnow on a jig head twitched along the bottom will catch good fish in the river.

Brownlee: Harmful Algae Bloom advisory in effect for Brownlee and Hells Canyon Reservoirs. Water levels are 2057.5 - UP 2.5 feet from last week. This is a great time to bank fish at Brownlee for all species. A good place to start is the coves around Woodhead. For bass - from a boat or the bank - try a 3/16 or 1/4oz jig head and either a curly tail grub or a Strike King 3.25” Rage Swimmer in the KVD Magic Color. Throwing a craw style bait on a Carolina rig has caught me some really good fish this time of the year. And a Jerkbait…you should throw a jerkbait! For the crappie - a simple crappie jig tipped with a crappie nibble or fireball will do the trick. There are several schools of crappie that are close to the banks, sitting in 12-20’ of water.

Snake River: Bass fishing on several stretches of the river remains consistent and a lot of bass are being caught. Water temps are still perfect for the bass - even if the outside temps are getting a little chilly for us! Jerkbaits can work really well right now if you can cast between grass clumps and a Keitech or Rage Swimmer on a Hayabusa belly weighted swimbait hook will catch fish. If you haven’t thrown the Idaho Rod and Reel Finesse jigs on the river - you could be catching more fish. Those are a bait that I am so stinking proud of and they have helped a bunch of guys catch good bass this fall. Reports that the catfishing seems to have slowed a bit. My guess is that these fish have started moving into their wintering holes. Look for deeper water with less current - behind bridge pilings, back eddies, inside edges of river turns.

Wilson Springs: Stocking has really picked up and the water is clearing up. This should be a top spot for catching stocked trout over the next month or so. Ultralight Heavyweights jigs and simple powerbait rigs will get the job done here.

Lake Lowell: The trick seems to be you need to move quite a bit and cover a lot of water. Neko and wacky rigged senkos are still catching them. Try dragging a jig or a texas rigged Strike King Rage Craw.

Lake Cascade: Perch fishing has been really good. Look for them around main lake points and in the coves with rock piles. I still contend that a Keitech 2.8 on a 1/8oz head is deadly for these things and there’s a good chance you hook into a decent smallie as well. Double dip! For the bass - I’d have a jerkbait and a Carolina rig ready to roll. Trout are being caught by the trollers and you know how much I love the Salmo’s for trolling…they are absolutely working in Cascade right now.

Owyhee River: Good fishing being reported from the Owyhee. Customer had a great day with small crankbaits and jerkbaits.

Owyhee Reservoir: Crappie fishing remains steady. Fish have been in big schools sitting in 15-25’. One of my favorite baits is the Big Bite Baits 2.5” Swimon. Great on a 1/8oz jig head! Catches bass as well. Largemouth have been a little tricky to catch but the smallmouth have been biting on jigs, crankbaits and carolina rigged craw style baits.

Duck valley: From the Tribal website:

The days are getting colder, and nights longer. All reservoirs showing a moderate to high fishing response as the recent restocking of rainbow trout into Mountain View and Sheep Creek has significantly increased trout activity. Elk Hair Caddis flies, Zebra Midges, and Copper Johns have proven lucky this week. Billie Shaw has been moderate to high with anglers landing on average rainbow trout in excess of 25 inches. Shore casting has been moderate, with anglers pulling in the smaller trout closer along the shorelines, and the bigger trout out in deeper water. Trout activity is looking to increase Wednesday into the weekend as temperature hit right around 50 degrees, an optimal temperature for big and hungry trout. Sheep Creek has been challenging. unfortunately, some anglers are finding areas in Sheep Creek a bit slow due to the presence of algae on the west end near the dam, algae is expected to clear up with the seasonal temperature drop.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: 16% Full. One report from a bank angler that caught quite a few trout on powerbait and nightcrawlers up by the dam.

Arrowrock Reservoir: 34% Full. Couple of customers reported catching some decent trout while trolling Kokabow dodgers and hoochies tipped with Northwest Rod Bender Corn.

Anderson Ranch: 84% Full. One report this week - “Anderson was a ghost town for both people and fish.” 😐️

Local Ponds: This is the time for the trout ponds! Lots of fish are being stocked and the cold weather helps some of the grass to die off. Use powerbait and nightcrawlers for these stocker trout. Fishing for largemouth will slow down a bit - I’d recommend a big slow moving glide bait or a wacky rig.

Shop News - Crazy Deal! Christmas and I Punched Myself in the Face

If you fish SENKO’s - you’re going to want to check this out. Buy a rod and reel valued at $75 or higher by November 30, and you will get your Senkos in 2024, for 25% off…LET ME REPEAT!! Get a new rod and reel and you get your 4 and/or 5” Senkos 25% off - for an entire year! I am going to apply this deal to anyone that pre-orders a shop rod as well. That’s about $2 a bag and if you fish as many as I do - you’re going to save some money!
A few have asked so I will address it here. We will have the Christmas Mystery Tackle Boxes again this year. For those that are new to a Christmas season with Idaho Rod and Reel, we will build a mystery tackle box for you that includes personally curated items by me and comes completely packaged and wrapped - ready for the Christmas tree. Great gift idea to tell your significant other about so you don’t get socks again…
Bass and Steelhead Classes are in the works!!
IDAHO ROD AND REEL “LINK” Rods and Signature Jerkbait Rod. So we didn’t get the link live…apologies!! Just taking a little longer to get the new system up and running. As a reminder, anyone that pre-orders a Link or Sugnature Jerkbait rod will receive ALL of the their Senkos in 2024 at 25% off - that saves about $2/bag. ALSO!!! If you purchase a reel at time of pick up, you will receive 10% off and I will put line on the reel for free. We are supposed to have these BEFORE CHRISTMAS. What a cool and unique gift idea.
We are getting ready to launch the new website and point of sale system in the shop. Please bear with us as we work through the bugs!!
DISCOUNT BINS!! New BAITS ADDED AND NOT MANY RODS LEFT!!
Strike King Scounbug’s in Stock
Z Man Gremlins arriving this week
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

Great Channel to Follow!!

Technically Speaking...

It’s getting COLD!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Very cool!

Clearwater River sets new state record coho salmon

Matt Hosking of Lewiston, Idaho set a new state record with this 11.78-pound coho salmon, caught from the Clearwater River on October 13, 2023, beating the previous record by a mere 0.48 oz!

idfg.idaho.gov/article/clearwater-river-sets-new-state-record-coho-salmon

New catch/release record steelhead landed

In the early morning of October 6, Kyriacos Panayiotou of McCall waded into the cool waters of the Clearwater River, Idaho's legendary steelhead mecca, and landed a 41-inch, state catch and release record steelhead.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/new-catchrelease-record-steelhead-landed

Steelhead Report

Idaho's Steelhead Fishery Update: Oct. 25, 2023

It has been almost two months since my last steelhead update, so I figured it was time to give you all another update. Plus, now that the steelhead return over Bonneville Dam is complete, I can say with confidence what the returns to different areas are like.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/idahos-steelhead-fishery-update-oct-25-2023

Walleyes!

Walleye aren't bad fish, just the wrong fish for Idaho

Idaho and walleye just aren’t a good match in most places, and here’s why. Walleye are native to large Midwestern lakes that tend to have large and prolific forage bases of minnows, shiners, chubs and other small baitfish. Those baitfish are not available in most Idaho waters, so walleye are likely to eat other game fish that are highly valued by Idaho anglers.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/walleye-arent-bad-fish-just-wrong-fish-idaho

Current Trout Stocking

Fish Stocking Forecasts

td {width: 33%; max-width: 33%; } This report highlights the monthly fish stocking schedule. Unless noted, fish listed below are all 10 to 12 inch rainbow trout. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions; dates may change due to weather or staffing constraints. The table below shows schedules for all known forecasted stocking and up to the last month's recent stocking schedules. It may take two weeks for stocking data to appear as Historical stocking information. Your patience is appreciated.

idfg.idaho.gov/d7/fish/stocking/forecasts?rid=3

For the BELLY!