Hook Points, Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Fishing at CJ slowed down a bit as the cooler temps rolled in. Trout fishing remains consistent for both bank angler and boat. From the bank, powerbait and nightcrawlers around Black Sands and up river has been working. From the boat, trolling Flicker Shads, Salmos and Arkie crankbaits has been producing. Simple crawler and harness rigs will work as well. Bass fishing has been slow but they are still being caught. For me, I’d be throwing metal and Keitech’s. By metal I mean blade baits. No report this week on crappie. Sturgeon are still being caught up the river on crappie and other cut baits.

Boise River: Lots of Steelhead being caught! The baits that I know have confirmed catches are: Orange and Peach colored soft beads, Aero Jigs in Black, Peach and Orange, Coon Shrimp, one on a Steelhead Slammers spinner, couple on Ultralight Heavyweights, couple of jig heads and soft plastics and nymphs for the Fly Fisherman under indicators. More fish have been stocked on Monday at these locations:

• Glenwood Bridge

• Americana Bridge

• Below the Broadway Avenue Bridge behind Boise State University

• West Parkcenter Bridge

• Barber Park

Brownlee: Harmful Algae Bloom advisory HAS BEEN LIFTED for Brownlee and Hells Canyon Reservoirs. Water levels are 2067.2 - unusually high for this time of year. Fishing has slowed a bit. As the temps cool and that water temps drop below 46ish degrees, the pretty reliable jig bite gets slow (crayfish go dormant…) and I start switching to Keitechs, blade baits and Carolina rigged flukes. I’d definitely have a jerkbait rigged up. Catfishing has slowed but are being caught from the bank on cut baits with scent.

Snake River: Fishing is better later in the day after the water has a chance to warm up a bit. Try a Keitech, drop shot and ned rig in a minnow color way - green pumpkin or smokey-gray.

Wilson Springs: Decent fishing and as it gets colder the crowds are smaller. 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: Not many fishing reports from Cascade as we’re sort of in this funky spot…I think we’re all waiting for ice!! There were still reports of trout and perch being caught on the troll. Best advice I can give is to follow the Ice Fishing Cascade Facebook page to stay up to date. I will be talking to the tackle shops up there as well.

Owyhee River: Water is low and that can make fishing tough. Stealth is required…for the fly guys, it’s midge time. I prefer the gray patterns as opposed to the black. For the conventional tackle guys, try shrimp on a jig head under a float in the deeper sections.

Owyhee Reservoir: No report this week.

Duck valley: Good reports from those willing to layer up!! From the Tribal website:

Valley air has been very cold this week and is expected to get colder as the days progress.  All surface water is open with very light ice accumulation represented around the edges of varied shorelines in very thin sheets on all lakes, in conjunction with the recent temperature drop.  All reservoirs are showing a moderate to high fishing response with no areas restricted by ice, however, there is a light ice accumulation on the Northern end of Sheep Creek Reservoir that is somewhat thicker than the rest, all other surface areas are open.  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, the algae is expected to clear up with the seasonal temperature drop, and has rescinded somewhat to date.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: 16% Full. Good reports from Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassador Brian Callahan. Trolling Kokabow dodgers and baits has been catching consistently. Launch at Spring Shores. Kokanee have been decent sized and some good rainbows mixed in to keep it interesting. Fish have been spread out in the water column but I’d set up expecting to catch them in 10’ or shallower.

Arrowrock Reservoir: 47% Full. No report.

Anderson Ranch: 85% Full. No Report.

Local Ponds: Very few reports of bass being caught but really good reports for trout. Check the Idaho Fish and Game Trout Stocking Reports for the most up to date schedule. Powerbait and Ultralight Heavyweights Jigs…again 😃 

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

• The Idaho Rod and Reel LINK Rods and Signature Jerkbait are available for Pre-Order on our website NOW! The Pre-Order price is $119.99. Regular retail will be $139.99. Rods come with a custom rod sleeve as well.

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

• We still have $5 Senkos left over from our Black Friday-Ish sale!!

• There are a couple of Daiwa Tatula Spinning Reels for $175 Left!! As well as a Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel and Daiwa Tatula Elite Baitcasting reel for $219. I have a couple of St. Croix MOJO Bass Rods for $110 left!! That’s $60-$70 off.

• I have a couple of 6th Sense Lux Baitcasting Rods for a really low price for a few more days…$110!!

• 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.

• Our Annual Holiday Food Drive has begun! Bring in any canned and/or non-perishable food item and I’ll trade you an Idaho Rod and Reel Black hat. One of the missions of Idaho Rod and Reel is to serve the community that supports the shop. We’d love to have your help with this one!!

• 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…

• Cold Weather Bass Fishing Class!! Join us December 16th starting at 10am and learn about how and where to catch bass as the temps cool. You have 3 periods of cold water…End of Fall, Winter and Early Spring - Come learn how to fish them! Class taught by former FLW Tour Professional, Cody Murray.

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

• 3 More Days Left to qualify to get your Senkos in 2024 for 25% off! Buy any Rod and Reel (or combo) valued at $75 or more and/or pre-order an Idaho Rod and Reel Custom Link and Signature Jerkbait rod.

• DISCOUNT BINS!! New BAITS ADDED AND NOT MANY RODS LEFT!!

• New Berkley Power Nymphs In Stock! Trout LOVE ‘em!

• More Mag Lips 3.0 and 3.5 In Stock!

• Lots of Steelhead Beads showing up 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

Take Care of that Boat!

Technically Speaking...

Going to need this one this winter.

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Steelhead Stuff!

We have these in stock!

Current Trout Stocking

Steelheaders!!

New in the Shop

Berkley Powerbait Power Nymph

Catch Spotlight

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

Haydn getting in on the action on the Boise!

Another catch for Damon on his own jig!

Trey with a nice Rainbow!

Pretty cool that Lance’s friend let him hold his fish (I’m kidding Lance! Don’t beat me up…)

Maison with a little somethin’ from the salt on his Idaho Rod and Reel custom spinning rod!