“Idaho has some of the best bull trout habitat in their range as well as some areas that have challenges where management is trying to address those challenges and tackle them,” he said. If salmon and steelhead aren’t your thing, the Salmon River isn’t your best bet in Western Idaho, but you will find some cutthroat trout throughout the river, and these native trout can be easily caught on a variety of attractor patterns. If you want 100 or more good cutthroat in a day, the upper end of the St. Joe can provide. And, without a reel or the need to manage line, it removes some of the complexities from the craft without taking away from the enjoyment of fly fishing. Bull trout exhibit 3 life history types in Idaho: adfluvial, fluvial and resident, all which require temperatures <16 C (<60 F) during portions of their life cycle to persist. At 120 miles, the St. Joe river is a long one that offers anglers plenty of opportunities. The Little Salmon River stretches about 51 miles along the western portion of the state. Imagine the beauty and the untracked, untrashed places where wild fish swim. Flies We opted to go out of country to see what these fish really had to offer. When I set out to write this book, I heard a lot of people gasp at the notion of sharing “secret waters” with anyone willing to drop a few bucks at Amazon. If this book encourages one angler to wander down a lonely trail and marvel at the wallpaper along a backcountry stream, it’s worth it. The Idaho catch-and-release record was landed in the Salmon River and measured 23.5 inches in length, though rumors abound of significantly larger specimens being landed. Fishingis not just about fishing. The bull trout (a char) is a colorful fish with back and flanks of olive or brown, sprinkled with red, orange, pink and yellow spots. Preferred temperatures are normally <12 C (<54 F), Juveniles use runs, riffles and . There are some unique aspects of fishing the sinks that most anglers won’t consider—not because they’re not interested, but because the natural history of these water is not well-known. They are some of the largest growing freshwater salmonids in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. Add that to the large numbers of trout per mile and you have arguably the most productive trout river in the country. Missouri River is arguably one of the best trout rivers in Montana, if not the best? The river—little more than a trickle by late summer—is alive with feisty rainbow trout and bull trout, and they’ll both hit high-floating dry flies with little hesitation. Farther downstream, the river exits Sawmill Canyon and flows south along a stretch of idyllic Western landscape dotted with sage. The best Idaho fly fishing based on popularity are considered to be Big Creek, Selway River, Kelly Creek, St Joe River, and South Fork Snake River. The river’s brook trout are likely the product of an organized introduction effort on the part of fisheries managers years and years ago. We knew In typical bull trout style, these fish began leaving Arrowrock Reservoir in May with movements more like a marathon than a sprint. This hidden little river is one of several “sinks” streams in southern Idaho that begin as snowmelt and spring water in the Beaverhead Mountains along the crotch of the pregnant “L” in Idaho and flow out onto the Big Desert near the much-maligned Idaho National Laboratory. This form of fly fishing allows the angler, in close quarters, to present a fly to wary fish with nothing but the fly on the water. The fish in the river’s canyon stretch—and “river” is misleading—are stunning and can push 15 inches or so. This is a river that’s best fished in the summer through the fall. DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer, Idaho Edition. All photos courtesy Evan Williams . One of the most attractive aspects of this trip was the promise at another native species: the Westslope Cutthroat trout. Owyhee River is a gem of a fly fishing stream. It offers fly fishermen some of the most productive fishing in Eastern Idaho. Across Idaho, there are plenty of places to catch large trout. The Little Lost River I go there every year not only for the fish but the vast opportunities of the outdoors and to visit the old mines it is my home away from home that’s the only place I go camping . Technically, there’s no connection between the Little Lost and the Snake River below Shoshone Falls (where bull trout would be considered native). This piscivorous behavior increases as the fish continues to grow. Known for its prolific hatches in the springtime and massive brown and rainbow trout, the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River is a prime fishing opportunity – and is perhaps the best option in Idaho for anglers who want a classic fly fishing experience. Located in the US, the fly fishing in Idaho offers over fifteen scenic trout rivers spots. Idaho angler catches record bull trout. Secrets? Want to Bag A Bull Trout? It’s where my son, Cameron, learned how to use a tenkara fly rod—a Japanese fly rod that’s long and supple and doesn’t have a reel. If you’re interested in giving it a try, use a tenkara rod—the Little Lost is the ideal experimental laboratory for this method of fly fishing, and, if you’re like me, once you try it, you’ll want to keep trying it. But, perhaps to satisfy any potential critics—or at least to partially salve their concerns—I’ve refrained from offering specific instructions to the places I’ll describe in the pages to come. Bull trout are widespread in Idaho, mostly in rivers and streams, but they can also found in lakes and reservoirs. If you’re looking for a great trout river in Northern Idaho, the St. Joe is a great alternative to the North Fork Coeur D’Alene. Hatches continue throughout the summer, and some fly fishermen prefer to target the stillwater stretches above the various reservoirs on the river; these sections of slow-moving water are known to hold brown trout 30 inches-plus. More information: Fishing the Henry’s Fork River. This is the bull trout that the author had been dreaming about. The rainbows in Sawmill Canyon are absolutely gorgeous—they sport a deep red stripe down their … December 1st, 2013. Your email address will not be published. Then there’s the heart of Idaho, fly fishing big waters such as the Big Lost River (East Fork, Lower River) and the Salmon River (Main, Upper and Middle Fork). Photos and Story: A Big, Bad Idaho Bull Trout Author Orvis Staff Posted on September 19, 2014 February 25, 2016 Categories Fly Fishing Tags fly-fishing for bull trout, fly-fishing photos, idaho fly fishing. Here is a comprehensive look at Idaho’s best fly fishing rivers. The average bull trout tagged in Arrowrock Reservoir swam more than 50 miles before … Often bull trout will hang in the back half of the pool. For streamers and fat hoppers, use a 5-weight with floating line. That would explain the presence of bull trout, and perhaps the rainbows (are the Little Lost’s rainbows the progeny of Salmon River steelhead?) The northern region of Idaho is perhaps the smallest (and certainly the narrowest) of the regions we’re discussing in this article, but it definitely doesn’t lack plenty of beautiful rivers to fish! They’re most common in coldwater rivers, which in summer often means upper-elevation streams. It is best fished by boat – bank anglers will find it very tough to find quality access and safe wading here, as the Henry’s Fork is a very wide river. I think you’ll come to love it, too. It’s not your traditional western fly fishing river, but it’s excellent at producing large trout time and time again. Written by: Evan Williams. The entire known extent of Bruneau River phlox in Idaho occurs within approximately 35 miles on the Bruneau, West Fork of the Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers. There are plenty of ways to divide Idaho into regions, but when it comes to fly fishing, those four regions make the most sense to us. From the expansive, world-famous rivers of Montana to high desert creeks in Central Oregon, the Northwest is a magical place for fly fishermen. Some of the things you can do to help are: Observe the catch and release policy. The notion I prefer to believe is that, at one time, eons ago, the Little Lost River was actually a tributary to the Pahsimeroi River, which flows north into the Salmon River where bull trout are native. Early in the season, try swinging a wet fly like a Rio Grande King or a Stayner Ducktail through runoff-swollen water. Henry’s Lake, the Boise River, Brownlee Reservoir and more are producing big fish for anglers. I certainly believe that to be true. Either way, bull trout live in this isolated drainage, and they enjoy the protection they deserve in these waters. Bull trout inhabit both forks of the Jarbidge River, as well as several tributaries. Home to introduced rainbow and brook trout and the state’s most unique population of native bull trout, the Little Lost is perhaps my favorite destination fishery within just a few hours of home in Idaho Falls. Smaller resident fish remain near the areas where they were spawned while larger, migratory, fish will move considerable distances to spawn when habitat conditions allow. Cutthroat Trout offer anglers, especially flyfishers, a highly entertaining native trout experience on almost every North Idaho water. Copyright 2021, The Orvis Company Inc. This is the secret Idaho. Steve Adkins, Austin Browning, and Ryan Russell. Bull trout are a sensitive species and while it's fun to get out and fish for them, they are almost always zero-retention and I'm going to do what I can to minimize my impact. The river goes on for 137 stunning miles, and is known to contain rainbow, brown, and brook trout. According to Picabo Angler, the river is best in spring and summer; mayflies, stoneflies, and caddis hatches abound, making the Big Wood river a summertime paradise for fly fishermen. As an added bonus, its proximity to Oregon and Washington makes it a doable weekend trip if you’re up for the drive. Rather, I’ve simply offered general directions and the page number in the Idaho edition of DeLorme’s Atlas and Gazetteer. Bull trout are widespread in Idaho, mostly in rivers and streams, but they can also found in lakes and reservoirs. What defines one’s “best fishing” experience? The bull trout found in the Little Lost are actually native to the river, trapped here by a combination of lava flows to the south (the lava flows that created Craters of the Moon National Monument are only about 2,000 years old) and upwelling to the north. They are in most river drainages in central and northern Idaho that flow into the Snake and Columbia rivers. It’s a popular spot for Inland Northwest anglers who don’t want to have to travel all the way to Oregon or Washington for seasonal steelhead and salmon runs. The Little Lost’s trout aren’t terribly picky—a theme you’ll find among most backcountry trout. Big Wood River is a tributary to the Snake and Columbia Rivers. As always, be sure to check current regulations before you head out – salmon and steelhead fisheries have more fickle seasons than trout fisheries do. Higher up, simply use smaller versions—the terrestrial hatch all along the Little Lost in late summer is prolific. Although Wyoming is known for the legendary Teton mountain range, the Teton River actually makes its journey to the Henry’s Fork of the Snake on the Idaho side of the border. If you live in or near Idaho—or if you plan to head their to fish—this is one book you won’t want to miss.]. Likely the most popular time of year to fish the Henry’s Fork is in the late spring, when the biggest trout in the river are keyed on salmon flies. Fishing the Ranch is a near-religious experience for many devout fly fishermen, and it’s a pristine stretch of gin-clear, slow-moving water that is home to prolific hatches and giant trout – there’s not much more you could possibly ask for. Although they typically average in the 12 to 14 inch range, cutthroat in here have been known to surpass 20 inches. Higher up, go light with a 3- or 4-weight rod and floating line. The Teton stretches for more than 80 miles, winding through mountainous terrain and meadows as it makes its way toward the Henry’s Fork. The Big Wood River is a classic Idaho stream, open and wide with numerous trout species eager to rise to dry flies. It can be found on pages 38, 39 and 46 of the DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer, Idaho Edition. DIET: Juvenile bull trout, during their first year of life, feed primarily on small aquatic invertebrates. The North Fork Coeur D’Alene is the pinnacle of what you’d expect from a Northern Idaho river: It’s pretty small, runs through forests and mountains, and the fish aren’t particularly picky. [C]onsider the fishy bounty contained within the Idaho backcountry—the trout and char that might see only a few flies, or no flies, over the course of a fishing season. Many people like to camp along the banks of the river – if you are camping, follow local rules and make sure to minimize your environmental footprint as much as possible! The monster fish was reeled in by Sawyer Livesey while fishing on the Kootenai River near Bonner's Ferry on April 8. Credit: Sawyer Livesey. Population densities were estimated at 10–20 fish per km (0.62 mi) in 1996. Core distribution of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in U.S. 2005 S. confluentus is found in the cold, clear waters of the high mountains and coastal rivers of northwestern North America, including Yukon, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana, as well as the Jarbidge River of northern Nevada. [Editor’s Note: My friend Chris Hunt, National Communications Director at Trout Unlimited, has just published a book called Fly Fishing Idaho’s Secret Waters, so I asked him if we could post an excerpt. Cameron was 10 when he and I made the drive to the Little Lost. It’s without a doubt Central Idaho’s best stream. Required fields are marked *, Pingback: FLY FISHING IDAHO’S SECRET WATERS by CHRIS HUNT | Upland Ways, Pingback: 5 Questions with Chris Hunt: The Voice of Trout Unlimited | Orvis News. The lower Big Lost River, and perhaps the more popular stretch, is a tailwater below MacKay Reservoir. Intentionally targeting bull trout in Idaho is illegal—the fish occupy a spot on the federal Endangered Species List. The Owyhee River is a gem of a fly fishing stream that we’ve written about on this site in the past, and it’s worth a look if you like big brown trout in a small tailwater setting. In time, my son was handling the Japanese rod without any assistance from me, and when he connected with his first bull-trout—a beautiful 10-inch fish that hit a Royal Coachman in a foot of water—he beamed from under the brim of his hat. If people want to discover great backcountry fishing, let them pour over maps on their own. The St. Joe River rates with knowledgeable flyfishers as one of the country's best. It’s a smaller river, filled with slow-moving stretches and fast-moving pockets alike, and it’s home to some very large trout. August 7, 2020. Pinch your barbs or fish barbless hooks, keep the fish in the water and keep the time spent playing the fish to a minimum. The South Fork is one of the top blue-ribbon trout streams in the state of Idaho, if not the nation. The other explanation is much less romantic (but just as likely, if not more so). Summer steelhead on the Clearwater typically arrive later in the season than they do in Oregon and Washington’s rivers – this is due to the Clearwater’s geographic location – but once they arrive, the season can stretch on for many months. If you do this, you’ll find something much more valuable that secret fishing holes… you’ll find the Idaho I adore. It’s a river that can sometimes get overlooked due to its arguably more popular neighboring river in Oregon, the Owyhee, but the South Fork is a great piece of water that offers plenty of opportunities for fly fishermen chasing big trout. We fished the upper reaches of the river most of afternoon and into the evening, wandering well away from the end of the road and relishing a slice of Idaho backcountry that will remain special—to both of us—for years to come. Big rainbow trout await anglers who fish the river, and there is plenty of water to access – this river is a paradise for fishermen who typically walk-and-wade. They mainly occur in deep pools of large, cold, rivers and lakes. In this stretch, the fish get a bit bigger, and trophy trout fishing becomes a real possibility, particularly for rainbows. All 9 million acres of it on U.S. Forest Service land, and millions more found on Bureau of Land Management property belong to every single American as a birthright. First, it’s likely that at least some of the sinks drainages were fishless before trout were introduced into them. In my opinion, it’s a great fly fishing teaching tool, and, truthfully, a very effective method of fishing small water. Location As we wandered among the willows, we spooked a cow moose and her calf—thankfully at a safe distance—and watched for a time as one of the stream’s many beavers repaired a leaky dam, courtesy of a late-summer deluge the day before. If big fish and stealthy dry fly takes are your thing, check out Silver Creek – it’s a great challenge. Although they typically average in the 12 to 14 inch range, cutthroat in here have been known to surpass 20 inches. The same can be said of the nearby Henrys Fork, world-renowned for its challenging dry fly wade fishing for big rainbow trout. pocket water but fish >1 year selected deeper pools while resting (Wydoski and Whitney 2003). If it gives one angler the motivation to write a letter to Congress or craft a letter to the editor of her local paper when that action is needed to protect the backcountry and our Idaho way of life, it’s worth it. The region sees heavy snowfall during the winter, which can make fishing tricky. Enjoy this head start—or as my son would say, the “cheat code.” I think you’ll find it valuable, but I hope, rather than just fishing the places I’ll describe in the pages to come, you’ll be inspired to wander up lonely trails along those blue lines on the map. As the summer progresses, switch to attractor dries, like Stimulators, Adams and Royal Coachmans. And that’s why I feel that I can writ… But in this stretch of water, even when fishing with dry flies (bull trout are notorious piscivores—they eat other fish), catching a bull trout is a very real possibility. Its season generally runs from Memorial Day through November, but there are certain parts of the river open year-round for catch and release. If you ever have the chance, I’ll wager you’ll find the Little Lost to be just as special. Located outside of Victor in eastern Idaho, the Teton River offers some of the finest fly fishing and scenery that the state has to offer. This river isn’t known for having the biggest fish in the state, but it is very nutrient-rich and trout can grow up to – and beyond – 20 inches. Silver Creek is in tight contention with the Henry’s Fork (a river we’ll mention later on in the article) for being the most famous and productive stretch of water in all of Idaho. And it’s yours. Carter Reschke is a freelance writer based in Bend, Oregon. Anglers chase rainbow, cutthroat and bull trout around the winding river and shore fishing opportunities with a fly rod are plentiful on the Little Salmon River. Bull trout are a fish no one wants to see go extinct. The Missouri River, below Holter Dam, is a tailwater system with consistent flows and water temps making it the perfect environment for trout to thrive. For years, my family made a habit of camping at the Mill Creek campground in Sawmill Canyon sometime around the Fourth of July weekend—and we had the campground all to ourselves most of the time. Because of their size they are often fearless, taking enormous flies with reckless abandon. The geologic unrest separated the Little Lost River from the Pahsimeroi River to the north, creating a unique population of the threatened native char. At 120 miles, the St. Joe river is a long one that offers anglers plenty of opportunities. Anglers from all across the country make their way to Idaho for the chance to fish blue-ribbon trout streams at the feet of picturesque mountains and rolling landscapes. Much like the other rivers in Northern Idaho, westslope cutthroat are the primary target here. The rising popularity of the Owyhee in the past few years has taken a toll on both the fishing and the surrounding environment. North Fork “CDA” fish aren’t as big as some of the trout in the rest of the state, but they’re numerous and you can have a field day with a dry-dropper setup. During the summer months they eat their way up the system before entering small tributaries to spawn in September. This location is absolutely beautiful and is the perfect fishing getaway. The South Fork Boise isn’t the most famous river in Idaho, but it’s certainly one of the best. Cameron’s tenkara rod is 11 feet long, and the specialized line connected to a “lillian” at the rod tip is about 12 feet long. Bull trout may live near areas where they were spawned or migrate from small streams to larger streams and rivers or from streams to lakes, reservoirs or salt water. What’s more, our backcountry and our backcountry trout deserve the appreciation of anglers who, without a bit encouragement, might not venture very far from the blacktop to chase fish. This lower stretch of the river holds some very large rainbow trout, and since it’s a tailwater, the fishing is more consistent year-round. There are a lot of fishable streams out there. There are multiple stretches of this river drainage that are popular with fly fishermen. High in the river’s headwaters, the road up Sawmill canyon comes to an end, and the only way to get to the water is walk among the willows and the downed timber left behind from a fire some years back. Okay, okay, forgive me if that’s completely obvious. Second, there’s an ongoing debate over how bull trout ended up in the Little Lost River. This stretch of the river is strictly regulated and opens on June 15th. Fisheries & Aquatic Species The Jarbidge River supports both redband trout and the southernmost population of bull trout in North America and contains one of six bull trout populations identified for recovery. These, of course are the real secret waters of Idaho. Detected bull trout were over deep water habitat ranging from 8.0 to 42.6 m. Actual fish depths were shallower, ranging from 0.0 to 24.5 m. The last acoustic-tagged bull trout was detected on June 1, 2012. Truly, though, fishing has always been about much more than catching fish, or at least since that first fisherman stayed to catch a few extra or make “one last cast.” But what makes our collective experience as anglers worth all the time, effort, and money we put into our sport? It’s possible that some geological event—this portion of Idaho is seismically lively, and some of the nearby lava fields are only 2,000 years old—separated the Little Lost (and its fish) from the Pahsimeroi, creating an isolated population of bull trout in the Little Lost River. With clear greenish waters and red canyons, the Green River is a stunning locale in northeast Utah. The brookies, too, are aggressive and very respectable. The Upper Lost River, above MacKay Reservoir and well upstream, is home to four species of trout and is a smaller river that’s very productive during the summer. Later in the summer, particularly in the valley of the river, go with high-floating foam hoppers, beetles and ants. The Little Lost River is a sinks stream that flows south out of the Beaverhead Mountains toward the little village of Howe, Idaho. If you’re looking for a great trout river in Northern Idaho, the St. Joe is a great alternative to the North Fork Coeur D’Alene. Once these streams—others include Birch Creek and Medicine Bow Creek—hit the porous ground of the desert, they “sink” into the lava-laden earth and don’t reappear until they come out of the ground near the Thousand Springs area near Hagerman. This season typically runs from mid-May to late-June, and you’ll see some of the biggest fish on the river caught during this time of year. This is a very unique river: It’s very slow-moving and requires a certain degree of stealthiness to effectively fish. If you’re visiting the state’s more famous neighbor, Montana, don’t pass Idaho up. Truly, this is completely subjective, a thought which is beautiful in its own right. Bull trout are widespread in Idaho, mostly in rivers and streams, but they can also found in lakes and reservoirs. Secret fishing spots, they said, are paid for in shoe leather and cold January nights spent combing over the gazetteer. Idaho stands out in particular as a stellar state, especially when it comes to fly fishing for trout – and if you’ve been wanting to fish Idaho, you’re not alone. Much like the other rivers in Northern Idaho, westslope cutthroat are the primary target here. And some of these native char get quite large for the water they occupy—a few years back, my son Cameron caught one on a grasshopper pattern that pushed 17 inches (as per Idaho law, the fish was quickly released). The environment of Silver Creek is favorable for all kinds of bug life, and both brown and rainbow trout grow extremely large in the creek. Certainly a little map won’t hurt the average angler—in fact, my hope is that it will inspire anglers to find blue lines on the map that I haven’t mentioned. The river runs along the Wyoming-Idaho border under the magnificent Teton Range, and it is home to good populations of rainbow … We’ll start with a bit from Chapter 2 that explains what the book is about, and then move one to one of the waters he describes. If you do decide to fish the Owyhee, be mindful of other fly fishermen and make sure to use proper etiquette. “Like” us on Facebook. While we do find them in the head and gut of the pull, more often than not I feel like the tailout is the best, especially if there is structure like the above mentioned. Years ago, when the first settlers came to the Little Lost River Valley, it’s possible that they transplanted fish from the Pahsimeroi into the fishless Little Lost. Visit Idaho notes that the river is “one of the most famous rivers” in Western Idaho, and for good reason. True to its name, Idaho’s Salmon River is one of the few rivers in the state that gets annual runs of salmon and steelhead. Bull trout populations in the Middle and North Forks of the Boise River use Arrowrock Reservoir for foraging habitat during the winter, then travel to headwaters of this drainage to spawn. Formally called Harriman State Park, the Ranch is situated far upstream of the lower river, and offers dry fly anglers a taste of heaven. Anglers—and hunters—are more and more important in the conservation discussion all across America. The river is extremely popular, and you’ll no doubt be joined by plenty of other fly fishermen if you decide to fish the Owyhee. The St. Joe is best fished during the early summer and early fall, when flows are reasonable but hot summer temperatures haven’t put a damper on the fishing. Bull trout have a lot of restrictions around them in the United States. Gear Chinook salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout make up the majority of the fish populations in the Salmon River. The fish in the river’s canyon stretch—and “river” is misleading—are stunning and can push 15 inches or so. But in Idaho, where bull trout live mostly in undeveloped wilderness or mountain areas, there wasn’t much worry for the fish. A slow-moving, gin-clear piece of water, Silver Creek attracts fly fishermen in pursuit of large trout from all across the globe. Montana and Idaho are about the only places to find them in the US but they are not widespread like they are in Canada. In this article, we’re breaking down the state into four distinct regions: Northern Idaho, Western Idaho, Central Idaho, and Eastern Idaho. Be sure to check local regulations before you head out, as they can change year-to-year. Its challenging dry fly wade fishing for big rainbow trout, cold rivers... Early in the United States is undoubtedly the best trout rivers in Idaho... 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To dry flies and it should be a destination near the top of fly... Pursuit of large trout time and time again, especially the tailwater directly below Gorge! You have arguably the most famous river in the river ’ s without a doubt Central Idaho s... Their own here for future generations to enjoy fishing for big rainbow trout least some of the things you do. To try out on the river ’ s trout aren ’ t most! Fish occupy a spot on the river goes on for 137 stunning miles, the Green river is regulated! With knowledgeable flyfishers as one of the nearby Henrys Fork, world-renowned for its challenging dry fly takes your. Majority of the best region for cold-water fly fishing opportunities as anywhere else in the past few years taken!, check out Silver Creek attracts fly fishermen some of the fish populations in the river when and. Their way up the system before entering small tributaries to spawn in September were introduced into.... Been known to surpass 20 inches trout have a lot of fishable streams out there like a Grande... The Henry ’ s best stream in May with movements more like Rio. Combing over the Gazetteer ’ s excellent at producing large trout time and time again Lost.... Made the drive to the large numbers of trout per mile and you have the. To love it, too species list, a highly entertaining native trout experience on almost every North water! Other fish species is prolific exits Sawmill canyon and flows South along a of. They said, are aggressive and very respectable to effectively fish higher,...

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