Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Mixed reports coming from CJ for just about everything. Most of the fish have moved deeper looking for cooler water and with some insane daytime highs coming up, deep is going to be the deal. I personally spent time on CJ this last week. I saw crappie schools in 15 to 25 feet, suspending around off shore drop offs. I found smallies close to those crappie. The easier smallmouth fishing was up the Snake River side of the reservoir. Ned rigs, Carolina rigs, drop shots and Senkos are good options to catch these smallies. For the crappie - get on top of the schools and drop a jigging rap or drop shot rig with your favorite soft plastic or even just a bit of nightcrawler. Sturgeon fishing been decent! We’re getting close to water temps that can really stress these giants. If you do decide to target them at CJ, make sure your gear is right so you can quickly land and release them.

Boise River: Great flows for fishing right now. With reservoir water temps on the rise and fish going deep - the cooler rivers are great options, especially for the bank angler. I’d have a selection of Ultralight Heavyweights jigs, jerkbaits and crankbaits as well as some Berkley power nymphs and a float. A Thomas Buoyant spoon would not be a bad idea at all!

Brownlee: Roughly 6 feet from full. Fishing has been fair. Lots of smaller bass being caught in the 8” to 14” range. These fish are moving deeper as well. Carolina rigs, drop shots, Neds and senkos on Wacky jigs can get the job done. Larger fish have been found in the Powder River. From the bank, try a lighter Carolina rig with a fluke or a Texas rigged Zoom Speed Craw. Crappie have been as deep as 30’ and anglers that I know that have had success are fishing heavier baits or multiple baits on a single line to get down to them more quickly. The jigging rap is just so tough to beat for those fishing vertically. If you’re casting and retrieving, try something with a spinner blade like a beetle spin. Catfishing has been great and they are shallow feeding on bass fry.

Snake River: Still fishing well for both bass and catfish. For the bass, there’s just no way I would fish this river without the Idaho Rod and Reel Finesse Jigs. They have consistently been catching quality fish on the river. I’d have a popper or Whopper Plopper with me and would not be hesitant to throw a chatterbait.

Wilson Springs: Guys are still catching them here but it has become more difficult with the grass and moss. An Ultralight Heavyweight jig, Dynamic Lures HD Trout jerkbaits and a simple nightcrawler or powerbait rig will work.

Lake Lowell: Couple decent reports for topwater frog fishing! I’d definitely have a walking and a popping frog ready to go. Flipping tubes and craw baits have still been the most consistent but swim jigs, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits have also caught fish. If you find yourself struggling, go with a finesse set up and try a Texas rigged Trick worm…

Cascade Reservoir: I spent the 4th at Cascade and spoke to several anglers. Most were struggling to catch anything but a few reported having quite a bit of success. Bass fishing has been better mid lake and up and fish have started to move deeper - start looking around 15-20’ but don’t neglect the shallows. Try searching those with a topwater walking bait. Senkos and deeper diving crankbaits caught several fish for one angler I spoke with. The perch have been really spread out and are on the move - according to a Tackle Toms employee. Trollers and those covering water keeping an eye on their electronics are having the most success. Tough to beat a Flicker Shad or Shad Rap right now.

Horsethief Reservoir: Good fishing at Horsethief right now. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait from the bank. Trolling spoons and smaller cranks around the dam has been catching lots of fish.

Owyhee Reservoir: Definitely one of the busier reservoirs right now. Crappie fishing has been good but the schools are moving deeper and starting to get our of reach for consistent bank angling. Several customers had success last week with one of my favorite crappie baits - the Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimon. Bass fishing has been decent with medium diving cranks, topwaters and jigs with craw trailers. For the largemouth, the bite has been early - switching to smallmouth as the heat of the day sets in.

Owyhee River: Fishing really well. Be prepared with plenty to drink if you fish it this week!! Nymphing, hopper droppers and different phases of Blue Winged Olives for the fly guys. Small jigs and Nikko Stonefly Nymphs under floats would be great options and I’d have a couple jointed Rapalas and a jerkbait or two as well.

Duck valley: Fishing well but as the weather warms, the grass and weeds can get thick. From the banks, try fishing near the dams or fishing a bit more weight to help you cast longer distances to get past the shoreline weeds. A float tube or pontoon boat/kayak would be perfect right now. Flicker Shads, Shad Raps and spoons are always good bets out here. Powerbait from the bank is a reliable performer as well. Watch the wind reports…

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Decent reports for fish around 30-50’. Orange and black were colors that a good friend of the shop used successfully. Will be busy on really hot days with the ski boats - I’d try to wrap up before 11 if you don’t want to deal with them.

Arrowrock Reservoir: My good friend and Ambassador Brain Callahan had success between 35 and 50 feet with orange. While the fishing here hasn’t necessarily been crazy, the fish are a great size. Bass fishing should not be overlooked here as well. There are quite a few bass in the 1-2 pound class and even some surprises around 3. Topwater early and then drops shots and ned rigs later in the day around the rock piles are good options.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Good reports most of the week from the Ranch for Kokanee between 30-50’. One customer finding them even deeper than that. Pink, the new Kokabow Tutti Frutti and the Intimidator dodger had success this week. Sure seemed like the darker colored bugs, spinners and hoochies were selling and getting bit. Bass fishing reports have been decent on Carolina rigs, Neds and tubes with topwater being a good option early but shutting off once the sun is up and temps start to get hot. Try the Berkley flat worm on a drop shot…

Local Ponds: Quality of the fishing is completely dependent on the pond right now. Most are pretty overgrown right now. Some kind of vessel will definitely give you a better chance. For bass ponds, try topwater early and mix in flipping baits and senkos as the sun gets hot. For the trout ponds, try trolling shallow jerkbaits and cranks. Again, the Dynamic Lures HD Trout is a great choice for just that.

Shop News - Drawing UPDATE, Ladies!! - Classes and YOUTH EVENT, New Products Coming!

• Drawing for the grand prizes for our Customer Appreciation month will be on WEDNESDAY! I apologize for the delay but we sold through half of the prizes for the Trout/Kokanee package and I wanted to do all three drawings at the same time!

• CHECK OUT THESE CLASSES and EVENTS COMING UP!!

• LADIES!!! THIS ONE IS JUST FOR YOU! Fundamentals of Fishing Class will be held on Wednesday, July 24th at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center from 6:30pm to 8:30pm! We will cover essential rigs for catching trout, bass, crappie, catfish and sturgeon and we will discuss the fundamentals of catching the different types of fish. THIS IS A LADIES ONLY CLASS!! No Fellers Allowed! (Except for me…I’m going to be teaching 😄) Sign up will be live at idahorodandreel.com under the “Classes” tab. Delicious SNACKS AND DRINKS PROVIDED! And we might just give away some cool stuff 😉 

• BRING THE KIDDOS!! Join us for an in-store, all-day event for the kids! On Wednesday July 31st, we will have an area set up for the kids to make their own baits!! They will be able to enjoy some snacks, tie jigs, make trout spinners and more! We’d love it if you can RSVP on our website but it is not a requirement to attend!! Any kiddo (age 17 or younger) will enjoy 10% off any rod, reel or baits all day long! Let’s get those kiddos excited about fishing and show them another great way to enjoy it!

• Idaho Rod and Reel will be at iCast in July! We want to stay up on the current trends and find some new and exciting products to bring back to Idaho. We will take pics and shoot some video!

• Jordan Rodriguez with Tight Lines 208 will be teaching his Panfish School class July 11th from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center. Cost is $50 and comes with a tackle bag with the Panfish baits you will need to be successful. Sign up at www.tightlines208.com.

• Mystery Tackle Boxes will be Available this week!! These are $35 and include at least $50 worth of tackle. A great way to force yourself to fish something new and a fun way to get some great deals. Boxes for Panfish, Trout and Bass will be available.

• NEW BAITS from Lunker City will be here this week!

• FULL KOKABOW RESTOCK!! All items are back in stock!! Just in time for the tournament at Anderson Ranch!

• CRAPPIE and TROUT fishers…custom rods built just for you coming SOOONN!!!

• We will have our first Good Fish and Good Guppies meetings and activities in July now! Our materials have been shipped and excited to get going. Better late than never I guess!!

• Rods…something very cool is coming 😉 

• Bait and equipment reviews coming…along with some How To’s….

• 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

Hacks or Junk?

Technically Speaking...

Interesting…Spinning Reel Stuff!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Have something to say?

Very Cool!

Here’s a different view…

Current Trout Stocking

Not fishing related but worth the time!!

Salmon Reports

This is a must know for boat owners!

Catfishing tips!

Train wreck!

Good to know!

Are you fishing braid to leader?

New in the Shop

Some cool baits from Lunker City will be in STOCK this week! Here’s a sneak peek of an EXTREMELY versatile bait that just looks soooo fishy! Say HELLO to OZMO!

Guys are absolutely LOVING this scale!

Catch Spotlight

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

Colby! With the longest running Catch Spotlight Streak! Love this guy.

Big Colby found one as well!

Oliver put in some steps to find a beautiful brookie!

Kala!! One of my favorite people and I forgot this one last week!! I’m fired.

Maison with a well…a thing. Definitely the most interesting thing the Signature Jerkbait rod has landed…

Julie just catches big fish. Come into the shop and see the 4 foot pike she caught last year!!

One of your State Champs Eli catching ol’ bigs on the Cody Meyer autographed rod he won at the High School State Championship!

Lisa with ANOTHER big cat!

HEY BILL!!! She DID IT AGAIN! 😃 

Kekoa with a BIG CAT!

Look! No Hands!! Good fumble Carson 🤣 

Zach starting a Catch Spotlight streak of his own!

Jeremy working his way up to that 4 pound smallmouth bass goal…not there yet but its gonna happen!

Roxanne with a cat…on a senko!!

Uncle Paul taught this one well!! CAUGHT ALL BY HERSELF!! Great job young lady!!

Scott helping this young man to a great catch!

Brian with a great koke!