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Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

News, Tips, Tackle and More

Ryan Chris
August 07, 2023

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Smallmouth Bass fishing remains very steady. The Berkley Lil’ General on a Ned rig has been effective as has a Zoom Speed Craw. Hearing decent reports for crappie in the narrows in 25 to 30’ of water - shallower in the early morning. The smaller, 2” Keitech Easy Shiners have been good as have the Z-mna Shad Fryz on the Finesse Shroomz.

Boise River: Trout fishing has been really good on the Boise. Bottom bouncing nightcrawlers on light carolina rigs has worked as have small jerkbaits and if you haven’t tried the Ultralight Heavyweights by now, you’re simply not catching as many as you could be.

Brownlee: Harmful Algae Bloom advisory in effect for Brownlee and Hells Canyon Reservoirs. Water levels are 2059 - down 18 feet. Catfishing remains very good. They are starting to spread out and aren’t all so shallow. You’ll find them in 5 to 30’ of water. Bass fishing remains very steady for fish around 8 to 12”. Some bigger fish caught on topwater early in the morning and then on Carolina rigs and big skirted jigs throughout the rest of the day.

Swan Falls - Above the Dam: Fishing remains good on this stretch of the river. Topwaters, tube jigs, Neds and a Paddletail swimbait!

Swan Falls - Below the Dam: Fishing has been food on the river section and below the Dam has been no different. Sturgeon fishing has been decent on cut bait as has catfishing - especially as it starts to get dark. Smallmouth have been biting as well. Throw a popper early and late and on overcast days. Throw a Ned or Craw in the slack water and use something like a 3.3 Keitech on a belly weighted hook to cover a bunch of water.

Wilson Springs: Tough fishing due to weed cover. There is still clear water though and fish can be caught on nightcrawlers and small tube jigs.

Lake Lowell: The fishing has been good for largies. The topwater bite has picked up quite a bit and flipping remains very productive - especially later in the afternoon and evening. Chatterbaits and belly weighted swimbaits have been working in the open-ish water areas. Vary the retrieve speed! Slow is not always the way to go…Catfishing has been really good as well along both dams. Nightcrawlers and chicken in Kool-Aid have been effective.

Lake Cascade: Mixed reports on the bass this week. I spoke to one of the tackle shops up there and they said that his customers are catching plenty of smallmouth’s - just not the big ones. Ned rigs and drop shots have been working. He said perch fishing is actually pretty good but you have to be willing to cover a lot of water with small crankbaits and paddle tail swimbaits. From the bank, worm and marshmallow has been catching some good sized trout and a few perch.

Owyhee River: Good fishing on the Owyhee. Small crankbaits and jerkbaits that can dive to 5’ feet work really well in some of the deeper tail outs. For the fly guys, its hopper-dropper time.

Owyhee Reservoir: Decent reports for crappie in 25’ around the rocky points and back in coves that are in the shade most of the day. Shad Fryz are working as are small curly tail grubs. A very good customer of the shop highly recommends the white crappie nibbles on everything this time of the year. Bass fishing is fair on wacky rigs, jigs and drop shot worms.

Duck valley: Reports that this week was a little tougher but that fish are definitely still being caught. From my experience, as the weeds get thicker, it becomes so much more important to move deeper and find areas that the weeds are shorter. These are usually just weeds growing in deeper water but the shallow water gets so thick with these weeds that they are way too warm and low in oxygen for trout.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Fishing is starting to slow down significantly as the kokanee are prepping to spawn. Most of the fish caught that I am seeing are some shade of red…reports for trout have been hard to come by.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Same as Lucky Peak - kokanee are turning and seem less interested in our baits and lures. Trout fishing seems to be a little more productive here than LP and some smallmouth mixed in can make it pretty fun.

Anderson Ranch: As with our other popular Kokanee fisheries, Anderson is slowing down. Bass fishing is fair for smaller bass on things like curly tail grubs and drop shots.

Local Ponds: Tough to fish in most cases because of the lack of open water but if you are pond hopping – that’s exactly what you are looking for – open water with an accessible weed edge would be a great place to launch your baits. Trout stocking will start to pick up as the weather cools.

Snake River - Catfishing: Catfishing is really good right now! Find some clean water and you can bet there will be a cat nearby. Cut baits and chicken in kool aid have been the tickets.

Shop News - New Classes, Mystery Boxes, Early Rod Reviews

MARK YOUR CALENDARS and join us August 17^th at 6:30 PM if you want to learn how to tie your own skirted jigs and hair jigs. This class will include options to purchase vices and tying equipment at a significantly reduced cost. Come learn how to make your own secret fish catching baits! More info to follow.
Volunteer Opportunity!! Idaho Bass Nation is putting on a Cast for Kids event at Black Canyon Reservoir on 8/19. This event helps get kids with disabilities out on the water. Boaters are needed! If you have a boat and are interested in helping, please check out this link. The parents of the child will be with you to help with anything. I will be there!! Come join us!
https::/castforkids.org/event/blackcanyonreservoir/
Jordan Rodriguez with Tight Lines 208 will be teaching his Panfish School Class on August 24^th in the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center. Perch, bluegill, crappie and more! Sign up at tightlines208.com
I have let a few Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassadors fish with the New Idaho Rod and Reel Customs LINK prototype rods and the reviews have been nothing short of awesome!! They are light, sensitive and 100% REFINED fishing tools. No fluff, no meaningless components. They are purpose built fishing tools. We will have less than 50 of each model - pre-order links will be live on our website soon! We are hoping to have these rods before Christmas.
The Beast Coast Flippin Delights have sold very quickly! Many have asked for more and I should see another shipment this week. I also brought in a few of their Blade Runner Swimbaits. Excited to see them for sure! Looks like it might be a great Chatterbait or Spinnerbait trailer.

Worth Watching

This is a GREAT channel!!

Technically Speaking...

Fishing Hacks!

Local and National Fishing News

Good info from IDFG:

Important dates to help plan your August

From tags sales to season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho next month that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines. Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game happenings. Here are some important dates to help you plan for the month.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/important-dates-help-plan-your-august

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

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