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Fishing Reports
CJ Strike: Couple days with weird weather and crazy winds made things a little trickier but that was last week! If I had to guess, I think this will be the start of some VERY hot fishing at CJ. Crappie fishing has been picking up considerably. Vertical jigging, casting and trolling have been working. Tip those baits with a little something! For the bass I'd still be throwing spinnerbaits, swim jigs, chatterbaits and look at a Ned rig or red crank for the smallmouth. You'll probably catch a trout with that same crankbait! They've been hitting everything!
Boise River: Running high. Going to be tough to fish for a bit.
Brownlee: Water levels are rising - at the time of publication it was 2031.7. Fishing has been very good...Try a red crankbait up against the banks, jerkbaits and 2"-4" swimbaits on simple roundball jigheads. If you're fishing from the bank and a little hesitant to throw a hard bait, drag a tube around any rock pile you see.
Swan Falls - Above the Dam: Good fishing right now! Use the same baits mentioned in the Brownlee report above!
Swan Falls - Below the Dam: Sturgeon has been good. Cut crappie has been working here as well. Bass fishing has been picking up. Water levels are up here as well and water is off color a bit. Drag a tube from the back, try a shallow diving crankbait or jerkbait and I wouldn't underestimate the power of the good 'ol trout spinner for smallies in moving water.
Wilson Springs: Fishing has been decent with dough baits and powerbait. Ultralight Heavyweights jigs are still producing!
Lake Lowell: Fishing has been hit or miss. Give a chatterbait a try and move a lot if you aren't getting hit.
Owyhee River: Fishing is good! Take a look at the new Idaho Rod and Reel Customs "Mini J's" as the Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassador that was given the baits to demo caught fish all day here. Flows are decent and ice is gone. Keep your eyes on this one...I have had great days here in early spring.
Cascade Reservoir Perch/ICE: Check with the local tackle shops up north but what little I have heard is that they are catching and there is still ice.
Horsethief Reservoir/ICE: No report.
Duck valley/ICE: No report
Lucky Peak Reservoir: Open water! Kokanee bit has been a little slow but anglers giving it a good solid effort are catching. Definitely more fish reported this week and I expect the end of this week to be really good! They'll most likely be high in the water column but pay attention to how many boats are on the water. That can push them a little deeper.
Arrowrock Reservoir: Open water! Slow going on the road in...be careful!
Local Ponds: Check the trout stocking report below. It's not just a great list for stocking reports but it's also a great place to find your next NEW favorite pond. Pond fishing has been good! Ultralight Heavyweights have caught several large stocked trout in the last two weeks. For those looking for bass - they are closer to the shore than you might think. Make your casts parallel to the shore to keep those baits in the strike zone as long as you can. If you're throwing spinnerbaits, try moving the bait as slowly as possible. When you feel the blades just barely thumping - maintain that pace.
Snake River - Catfishing: The catfishing has improved significantly. Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassador Juan Sanchez is reporting that he is catching quite a few fish every time he goes out with cut bait. If you're new to the cat game - start off around bridges. Take a look at google earth and locate the bridges on the snake. Grab your gear and head out!
Snake River - Bass Fishing: The river is fishing well! Even though the weather has been weird, the length of day is still telling these fish that spring is coming and it's time to wake up and eat. Start off with something moving and cover water...crankbaits, jerkbaits, chatterbaits. If that isn't producing, give a Ned rig or Texas rigged tube a go in eddies.
Shop News - KIDS DAY! New Baits, Anniversaries and Winners!
Congratulations to Justin Peterson for winning a $50 gift card for catching several fish on Idaho Rod and Reel Customs baits and posting on Facebook and Instagram! We had 26 entries...these baits work!
This month we will be giving away a $100 Mystery Tackle Box just for fishing our Customs line, catching fish and tagging us online. This includes everything from Drop Shot Weights, to Tungsten Worm Weights to Jerkbaits!
New Idaho Rod and Reel Anniversary hats ARE IN STOCK! Artwork was done by local Idaho Artist, Michael Crane. If this hat doesn't represent Idaho fishing, then I don't know what does! They will be available for $19.99. I plan on having a new hat every year for our Anniversary. Start collecting now :)
New hand tied swim jigs and swim jig underspins will be in stock this week. These are tied by me!
Jordan Rodriguez of Tight Lines 208 held his Trout of this World class in the Learning Center and it was a huge hit!
If you haven't fished an old school Norman crankbait...you should! Great spring colors in stock now.
New Dynamic Lures trout jerkbaits in stock!
Spinnerbaits are buy one get one 1/2 off. TONS in stock.
NEXT CLASS IN THE LEARNING CENTER WILL BE FOR THE KIDDOS! Join us April 8th from 12-4pm! Kids will be able to make their own lures and learn other great fishing skills in a convenient "come and go as you please" manner! More details coming this week.
Big Idaho Rod and Reel Customer Appreciation Event COMING SOON!
Worth Watching
Just WOW!
Technically Speaking...
"How do I fish a chatterbait?" That's a question I get A LOT!
IT'S CRAW TIME!
Local and National Fishing News
Current Trout Stocking
Those of you that know me, know that this is one of my favorite things to do!
Great resource for Idaho Anglers! Take a look at the FISHING PLANNER at the bottom of the Idaho Fish and Game website. You can search for any body of water in Idaho and see stocking records, fish surveys and other valuable information.
Try it out...click the link below and search for "Brownlee Reservoir"
A little Catfish LOVE...
New in the Shop
Norman Crankbaits! Old School and still workin'!
Dynamic Lures Trout Jerkbaits! Love these!!
Idaho Rod and Reel Anniversary "Celebrate Idaho Fishing" Hats! Newsletter subscribers - you get to see them first! When they're gone, they're gone!
Catch Spotlight
Submit your own entry to be featured in Hook Points to: [email protected], Subject: Catch Spotlight
THIS MAKES MY DAY!! Thank you so much Nick and Jennifer! That rod was a labor of love and I am so happy its out there doing some work!
I purchased this Rod and Reel from you last week. My wife loved it! (pictured below). It also produced some really nice fish! Just wanted to let you know that we will be back in the future.
Thanks,
GREAT FISH JENNIFER! On the Idaho Rod and Reel Spinning Rod! Our FIRST ENTRY for the April Idaho Rod and Reel Customs Drawing!
DEAN with the Paul Krew Goby!! That is a serious Smallmouth!!
"There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."