Hook Points
Posts
Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Remember when we were complaining about the cold?!

Ryan Chris
June 13, 2023

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Get your drops shots ready if you’re targeting bass. Fish are working into their summer patterns and that means a fair amount of time spent deeper - especially if we are talking smallmouth. While they can still be caught on top, I think you’ll find more consistent success with drop shots, neds and tubes. Sturgeon fishing has been good below the damn on crappie. Crappie fishing has been steady. Trolling seems to be the most effective way to catch them still.

Boise River: Water is still high but coming down according to my last report. Fish are still being caught on small jerkbaits, worms and flies. Current breaks are always good places to look for trout but they become even more important with high flows.

Brownlee: Reservoir is full. I personally fished this on Saturday and caught fish on everything and nothing…here’s what I mean: I caught fish on jerkbaits, crankbaits, drop shots, Neds, swimbaits and topwater - but nothing consistently worked. I had to change frequently! I saw tons of fry and caught several catfish on jerkbaits in less than 4’ of water as they are up feeding on the fry. Post spawn funkiness! Catfishing has been great and I personally wouldn’t be throwing bait into crazy deep holes. The cats are shallow! Spoke to a few bank anglers and they confirmed that. Crappie fishing is steady but not hot - however, the crappie are big!

Swan Falls - Above the Dam: The river has been producing consistent catches of 1-2.5 pound fish. Throw a spinnerbait early and have a few tubes, neds and drop shots on hand for the heat of the day. Pay attention to the shaded areas against the bank!

Swan Falls - Below the Dam: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK: Good reports for sturgeon on cut bait! Guys have been asking for help fishing for bass with the high water. My recommendation is to find the current breaks. These bass don’t want to sit in the heavy current wasting energy. The fish ARE IN the back eddies. Try a texas rigged craw and heavier weight if you are having a hard time tracking your bait in the current.

Wilson Springs: Getting tougher to fish as the temps rise but fish can still be caught. A good customer of the shop tried out Idaho Rod and Reel Customs Mini J’s and caught several. The Mini J’s are small jerkbait and crankbait style lures and they catch them!

Lake Lowell: Throw a frog! Lots of frog fish reports from this last week. Good reports on flipping tubes and beaver style baits in the trees still. Try a Googan Squad Bandito Bug…

Lake Cascade: Decent reports from those trolling for perch. I would be trolling Salmo crankbaits, 60-80’ behind the boat starting in 10’ of water and working my way out to 20’. Bass fishing has been decent. Give a tube or a Ned a try!

Owyhee River: No report

Owyhee Reservoir: Same report as last week: “Bass fishing has been tough if you’re looking for the big ones. Not bad for the 1 to 1.5 pounders. Crappie have moved off the banks a little bit and are not as widely dispersed. The schools are still large! Just more spread out. Take a look at 8-15’. Hearing decent reports for big trout around the dam.”

I did see a few pictures of 3 and 4 pound largemouth last week that were caught on Senkos. Still some bigger fish in there but sure doesn’t seem like they’re everywhere.

Duck valley: Fishing has been really good. Key here is to keep an eye on the weather reports. If it gets windy, it gets tough! Great bank fishing with powerbait and I set up a fly fisherman with an intermediate sinking line and a dozen damsels - he crushed it! He caught several in less than 7-8’ of water trolling parallel to the banks in his float tube.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Fishing is fair. Water quality still remains an issue! I am a firm believer in COPPER in murky water situations. This love of the copper color comes from my experience fishing for Northern Pike - one of my absolute favorite species!! I like to throw 6-8” flies for them that I tie with TONS of copper flashabou in them. In murky water - I can still see the copper flies at the end of my cast whereas I cannot with the silver. Try throwing the copper Kokabow dodgers and see if your results don’t improve…I think they will 😉!

Arrowrock Reservoir: Same report as Lucky Peak.

Anderson Ranch: Big kokanee are being caught but gotta put in the time! Bass fishing reports are decent for smaller fish - but lots of them. Little topwater bite during low light and then pull out the Neds and drop shots.

Local Ponds: The ponds start to get a little funky with the hot days as they can get overgrown QUICKLY! If you’re fishing a bass pond - a frog might be one of your only options. For the trout ponds, might need to try top down techniques in open stretches of water. That means the good ol’ bobber and worm or try using a casting bubble and fly. This can be very effective! It’s heavy enough that you can cast to the deeper, cooler and cleaner water and subtle enough that you can still catch fish. If you are going with the bobber and crawler set up - instead of balling the worm up on the hook, try leaving longer pieces of worm hanging of that move and wiggle like crazy…

Snake River - Catfishing: Catfishing is great right now if you can find open water. Look behind islands, bridge pilings and in deeper back eddies that still have enough current to move the floating grass and junk out of the way.

Shop News - THANK YOU! Classes, Fathers Day Sales, NEW STUFF!

I want to personally thank each of you for your support of Idaho Rod and Reel. We have been very busy because of you and I am grateful!! I also want to apologize as our inventory has dwindled a bit over the past few days as I am learning how to deal with the significant increase in business. You all get a front row seat to my successes and failures!! Again, thank you and I am sorry! We have several large orders of items coming in this week!
INTERMEDIATE BASS FISHING CLASS: SUMMER BASS STRATEGIES will be taught by former FLW Bass fishing PRO - Cody Murray, in the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center on June 20th. Class will start at 6:30pm and go until Cody falls over…Just kidding - probably end around 8:30. Cost is ZERO DOLLARS! Sign up at Idahorodandreel.com. SPACE IS LIMITED!
Fathers Day Mystery Tackle Boxes are $50. Order by Thursday so we can have them ready for the weekend!! All you need to tell us is what species he likes to fish for and we will handle the rest!
10% Off any rod and reel combo this week for fathers day!
Jordan Rodriguez and Tightlines 208 will be teaching a Sturgeon class in the Idaho Rod and Reel learning center on June 13 from 6-8pm. This class INCLUDES an opportunity to then fish with Jordan and land one of these awesome fish on your own on June 15. Please visit tightlines208.com for more details and to sign up.
New Idaho Rod and Reel Sun Hoodies are HERE and SELLING QUICKLY! The fabric is UV-Flect, designed to reflect light (and heat) away from you and provide 55 spf protection. For $30, these are a great deal. We have them in Heather Grey and Navy Blue in sizes Sm thru 5xl.
I made a bulk purchase on fishing pliers and am passing the savings on to you. I have both straight and curved - FOR $3!!
New baits from X-zone, Zoom, Idaho Rod and Reel Customs, Booyah, ARK, Keitech, Beast Tungsten, G-Ratt, Dry Creek and more will be here this week!
Idaho Rod and Reel Customs drawing this month will be for a Daiwa Fuego spinning reel AND a spool of Daiwa J-Braid and Sunline Fluorocarbon. This is valued at over $140! Just catch a fish with any Idaho Rod and Reel Customs product and tag us on Facebook and Instagram. Every time you post, you are entered!
ARK Rods should be here this week. I have been fishing demo’s now for several weeks and am thoroughly impressed with the quality of these rods. With rods ranging from $60 to $350, they have something for everyone.
For those that do not know, Chris Akins from Kokanee Tackle has passed away from health related issues last week. He helped so many people catch fish and create awesome memories. Thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

Worth Watching

He’s not wrong…

Technically Speaking...

For those that have been asking!

Local and National Fishing News

Just as a reminder!

Boating etiquette: be quick and courteous at boat ramps

As summer arrives, more people will be boating and boat ramps can get busy. To ensure things go as quickly and efficiently as possible, follow these tips. Remember, everyone wants to enjoy their day on the water, so everyone needs to work together.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/boating-etiquette-be-quick-and-courteous-boat-ramps

The Salmon Run!!

Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing Update 6/6/2023: Rapid River Run, Hells Canyon, and Clearwater River Fisheries

Clearwater Region fisheries manager, Joe DuPont, provides a weekly update on Idaho's Spring Chinook Salmon fisheries.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/spring-chinook-salmon-fishing-update-662023-rapid-river-run-hells-canyon-and-clearwater

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

CRAPPIE! Underwater views…this is cool!