Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Water is off color in lots of areas due to algae but fish are biting. Bass can be caught on Keitech’s, Ned rigs, drop shots and I wouldn’t hesitate to throw a crankbait. Crappie have been biting and are being caught on the troll in 20-25’. I have not had a sturgeon report from CJ in a minute…if you have been fishing it, I’d love to hear from you!!

Boise River: Fishing remains good on the Boise and will only get better over the next couple of months. I’d fish closer to Boise and I’d be using small crankbaits and jerkbaits. I still hear from first time Ultralight Heavyweights jig users how surprised they are at the effectiveness of these little suckers!!

Brownlee: Harmful Algae Bloom advisory in effect for Brownlee and Hells Canyon Reservoirs. Water levels are 2056 - down 6 feet from last week. Bass fishing has been excellent in anywhere from 15 to 30 feet. If you haven’t thrown a Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver on a Ned head - you should. I call it the “Levi Rig” named after the Idaho Rod and Reel employee that freaking crushes it on this set up!! Catfishing remains decent - they are a little more spread out and cruising. If you haven’t caught something in 20-30 minutes, I’d move.

Swan Falls - Above the Dam: Good fishing along most stretches of the snake. You will be dealing with lots of floating grass - just is what it is. Clean of your bait and throw again! Try throwing belly-weighted hooks on swimbaits to keep the weeds to a minimum. I fished the river Sunday with a couple of great friends and the new Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Football jigs did a little better than good 😉 

Swan Falls - Below the Dam: Just throw a Keitech and a jig…well, if you want to catch a fish that is 😃 

Wilson Springs: No report

Lake Lowell: Reports have been a little hit or miss but for the most part very positive. More guys reported catching fish on drop shots and swim jigs than anything else. I’d keep a ¾ punch rig set up with a Zoom Speed Craw.

Lake Cascade: Trolling for perch has been effective with small crankbaits and jerkbaits. Bass fishing seems to be hot one day and a little cold the next. Ned rigs, drop shots and wacky rigs will catch them. Reports of fish still in the 15'-25’ range.

Owyhee River: Fishing really well! Small zebra midges, BWO emerger patterns and caddis in the evening will catch fish. If you feel like you have the right fly but not getting the action you’d expect…downsize your tippet.

Owyhee Reservoir: Decent reports for Smallmouth on Carolina rigs and Neds. Some green fish being caught early and late up past the elbow on big jigs and deep diving cranks.

Duck valley: No reports this week

Lucky Peak Reservoir: No report this week

Arrowrock Reservoir: No report this week

Anderson Ranch: No report this week

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: Fishing has been really good but gotta find clean water. From the banks you’ll be fighting a lot of drifting grass matts. A good customer of the shop recommends that you pay attention to the current and see where all the matts are being pulled and find a casting route that keeps you away from them. He said that he is seeing so many guys casting right into places that are clear for a minute - but then covered the next.

Shop News - Rod Sale, Discount Bait Bins and Tungsten Back In Stock!

• I was able to purchase several ARK Tharp series rods at a discount. They should arrive late this week and we will have them on sale for $99. These are normally $139 - they will go quick!! First come first serve…Fast action spinning rods in ML and M, B-Hittay Chatterbait and Cranking rods, Fast action casting in M and MH and more.

• Idaho Rod and Reel Customs Tungsten Finesse Football Jigs are in stock! Available in 3 colors and 2 sizes - all designed to be effective on OUR LOCAL waters.

• Tungsten EWG NEDS BACK IN STOCK! This is easily one of the most asked for Idaho Rod and Reel Customs products in the shop. We ran out for a bit but we have tons in stock right now!

• Pre-Ordering for the Idaho Rod and Reel “Link” rods will be DELAYED just a bit longer as we are in the middle of switching website providers!!

• DISCOUNT BINS!! We have tons of baits and rods that are marked down 50% to help me make room for new iCast products. These are NOT JUNK BINS! These are rods from Daiwa, Shimano, Lews and baits from 6th Sense, Zoom, Z Man, Yamamoto, Rapala, Netbaits and more.

• 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

DIY Bait Hack for many species from a good friend of mine:

Technically Speaking...

Fall Transition for Bass

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Steelhead Season Updates

Current Trout Stocking

THAT IS A GIANT!

TROUT!

New in the Shop

Idaho Rod and Reel Customs Tungsten Finesse Football Jigs

Idaho Rod and Reel Black and Leather Hats!

Catch Spotlight

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

GOT A BUNCH THIS WEEK! ENJOY!!