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Fishing Reports
CJ Strike: Good week of fishing at CJ. Lots of reported catches for just about everything. For the largemouth, take a look at the Idaho Rod and Reel Tourney Spinnerbaits that are back in stock - try the Baby Bass pattern. For smallmouth, cranking is still working (Spro RK Crawler, Strike King 3XD) as are tube jigs and green pumpkin chatterbaits. Run the banks looking for both species and if not catching, try moving to the next drop off and fish in 10-15’. For the cooler days towards the end of the week, I would personally look at a drop shot or blade bait. For trout and crappie, troll flicker shads, wedding rings and the Lucky Craft Pointer 65 lures that have just been smashing fish. While the narrows are the go to areas for Crappie, try exploring ANY bank that has trees growing out over the water next to 10-20’ water. You might find less pressured schools and good fish. Catfish are being caught on chicken livers, nightcrawlers and cut bait. Sturgeon fishing has been really good below the dam and up the Snake River arm on SMALLER cut baits - that was the tip I received from an Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassador…
Boise River: Flows are definitely up but have been for a few days now. Click on the link below to see live video of the current flow around the Whitewater Park. The river IS still fishable - you just have to change tactics a bit. Bottom soaking in deeper pools can be productive. However, when the water rises and starts to turn off color a bit, I like to throw bigger baits and I like to search VERY close to the banks. Please be careful wading!
Brownlee: Water levels are at 2028.2 and slightly up from last week. Spend some time looking for clearer water and look everywhere from UP on the bank to 18’. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs and neds should help you cover the different depths they might be hiding in. Catfishing has been really good off the many sandy beach areas that are out of the water right now. Lots of Flatheads being caught by the bass guys throwing crankbaits…that fish loves to hunt and are NOT SHY when it comes to chomping on crappie and crayfish colored cranks.
Snake River: Fishing has been inconsistent on the river due to some fluctuation in flows and water clarity. However, still a pretty reliable producer, the river would be on my list to fish for smallmouth right now. Tubes, neds, Idaho Craw Tugnsten Finesse Jigs and SHALLOW diving crankbaits for the bank anglers and deeper diving cranks, Tungsten finesse jigs, jerkbaits and chatterbaits for those running a boat. Catfishing reports have significantly improved. Try cutbait and nightcrawlers and move frequently!
Wilson Springs: Heavily stocked right now and lots of fish are being caught! Try powerbait, nightcrawler and Ultralight Heavyweights Jigs!
Lake Lowell: Walk the dams and throw chatterbaits, Z-Man Gobius swimbaits, Tourney Spinnerbaits a Neko rig! I like the orange colored chatterbaits early in the year at Lowell…
Lake Cascade: Spoke to the guys at Tackle Toms on Monday and they are telling everyone the ice season is over. Creeks are running and the ice that is left is very sketchy. Get your boat ready 🤪
Horsethief Reservoir: Tackle Tom’s also recommended we stay off the ice here as well.
Owyhee River: Higher water but last report I heard was that it wasn’t off color (any more than the “O” usually is anyway). With rising water comes crayfish so think about that when you make fly and lure selection. Olives and browns are great colors for that! Midges and nymph flies will work as will streamers in between hatches. For lures, I’d be throwing the Lucky Craft Pointers…
Owyhee Reservoir: Reservoir is 91% full…decent reports are coming in for 2-3 pound largemouth on crankbaits, jigs and spinnerbaits. Crappie have been biting in 15-25’ and a good friend of the shop said just about every long point is holding crappie - he caught several on Ultralight Heavyweights jigs in black.
Duck valley: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK! HOWEVER…This is one of my top destinations right now. ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIMES TO FISH DUCK VALLEY IS RIGHT NOW!!! From the Tribal Website:
March 18, 2024 –Warm weather from the weekend carries over Monday and Tuesday, as spring officially makes a return this week on March 19, 2024, until Wednesday, when partly cloudy skies set the stage for more precipitation that looks to move over into the next week.
The ice at both Sheep Creek and Mountain View reservoirs has been open for two weeks, and any ice remaining is quickly and steadily thawing. Trout activity has been phenomenal for shore casting and fly fishing, with both styles producing excellent results with a wide variety of baits. The Mountain View and Sheep Creek reservoirs are now watercraft accessible as both have over 95% open, ice-free top water.
Please be advised Billy Shaw will reopen very soon on April 1, 2024.
Lucky Peak Reservoir: Mixed fishing reports for LP and Arrowrock but plenty of fish being caught. If you are struggling to find them, I’m inclined to think you might be fishing under them. While I am hearing about a few fish caught deep, the majority of guys with limits that I have spoken to, are fishing on top; 80 to 120’ behind the boat. Orange and pink have been the two most popular colors that I have heard about and one customer had a great day on the Kokabow Wonderbread dodger.
Arrowrock Reservoir: Same report as LP.
Anderson Ranch: Mixed reports from Anderson as well…lots of water in the system right now. Success seems to be coming to those that are willing to cover a lot of area and like AR and LP, fish seem to be on top. Pink and white are what my good buddy has been fishing and he has limited out 2 trips in a row - though he said it was taking 6-ish hours.
Local Ponds: Ponds are warming up and fishing is really good. When you first walk up to the bank - don’t forget to look at your feet for bass - especially later in the day…they just might be in front of ya 😉
Shop News - Upcoming Classes, New Products
This is going to be your best fishing season yet if Jordan Rodriguez and Tight Lines 208 has anything to do with it!! He will be offering 2 new classes to be held in the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center. Sign up at tighlines208.com for:
1) All About that Bass! April 11, 6-8:30pm - Cost is $50 and INCLUDES TACKLE!
2) Let’s go Trolling! April 24, 6-8:30pm - Cost is $60 and includes a STARTER KIT WITH KOKABOW TACKLE!
Curious about throwing big swimbaits for bass?? Class coming very soon!!
Spring Salmon class coming very soon!!
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 Strike King Gravel Dawg Crankbaits 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
Bucket List!!
Technically Speaking...
A good refresher!!
Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”
Great story about Jordan Rodriguez with Tight Lines 208. This is a MUST READ!
New for Salmon and Steelheaders
New Idaho Fish and Game Podcast
Try it! Probably sneak in a few bass while you’re doing it…
Current Trout Stocking
April Bass Ideas
Steelhead/Salmon Update!
Apparently I am not the only one that likes these as MANY of you requested more 😄
Fishing for Trout in Muddy/Runoff Water…Drop Shots are just for Bass
Bass Tournament Prep!
New in the Shop
Strike King Gravel Dawg Crankbaits!
Catch Spotlight
Submit your own entry to be featured in Hook Points to: [email protected], Subject: Catch Spotlight
Justin Peterson doing what he does…catch big ones! Says he caught it on an Idaho Rod and Reel Rod and one of our Tourney Spinnerbaits! I love hearing that!!
Uncle Jay putting my personal Link Rod to work with a Chatterbait!
Levi looks miserable… 🤣
Scott putting the Signature Jerkbait rod and my favorite purple jerkbait to work! That back treble is in a precarious position!!
Jody putting a custom painted crankbait to work on the Signature rod!!
Kekoa for the THIRD week in a row…putting the Gobius to work!!
Garren, Brian and Ryker with a Dinosaur!
Jordan Rodriguez with his record fish. Check out the story for this catch on his website tightlines208.com
Congratulations Dan Dobransky for qualifying to fish the All-American!!
Lance proving that with a good camera, you can make any 12” fish look like a 4+ 🤣
Heidi with her first on the baitcaster!! Wooohooo!!
Carter showing dad what a smallmouth looks like 😆
John just catches big ones!
Josh catching BIG crappies!
Congratulations to Clay and Scott for a 2nd place finish in a really tough IBM Open tournament - out of 72 boats!!
“Stay close to anything that makes you glad you are alive.”