The Clearwater is known for producing giant steelhead, and the run is famous with anglers from across the country. 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. Hatches are prolific, and you’ll see fish rising for mayflies, midges, and a host of other insects throughout the day. If big fish and stealthy dry fly takes are your thing, check out Silver Creek – it’s a great challenge. It can be found on pages 38, 39 and 46 of the DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer, Idaho Edition. 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 river is most commonly fished from Ashton downstream to St. Anthony. 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. If you want 100 or more good cutthroat in a day, the upper end of the St. Joe can provide. Higher up, simply use smaller versions—the terrestrial hatch all along the Little Lost in late summer is prolific. But, for me, it’s the backcountry stretch of the Little Lost and a couple of it tributaries that draw me back year after year. 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. As always, be sure to check current regulations before you head out – salmon and steelhead fisheries have more fickle seasons than trout fisheries do. 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. “Like” us on Facebook. 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. Preferred temperatures are normally <12 C (<54 F), Juveniles use runs, riffles and . If people want to discover great backcountry fishing, let them pour over maps on their own. There are multiple stretches of this river drainage that are popular with fly fishermen. 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. 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). 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 rising popularity of the Owyhee in the past few years has taken a toll on both the fishing and the surrounding environment. Bull trout need water that’s 60 degrees or cooler, and water that’s around 54 … 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. 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. It’s not your traditional western fly fishing river, but it’s excellent at producing large trout time and time again. Steve Adkins, Austin Browning, and Ryan Russell. Check this one out if you’re looking for some big trout in Central Idaho! Located in the US, the fly fishing in Idaho offers over fifteen scenic trout rivers spots. Bull trout are widespread in Idaho, mostly in rivers and streams, but they can also found in lakes and reservoirs. Imagine the beauty and the untracked, untrashed places where wild fish swim. 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. 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. The brookies, too, are aggressive and very respectable. 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. 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. Henry’s Lake, the Boise River, Brownlee Reservoir and more are producing big fish for anglers. 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. Bull Trout are incredibly powerful and challenging fish making an angler give his best to land them. 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. 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. This small population is on the southern edge of the species' range, and is isolated from other populations of bull trout in southern Idaho, increasing their sensitivity to changes in habitat. 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. 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. Either way, bull trout live in this isolated drainage, and they enjoy the protection they deserve in these waters. 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. If you do decide to fish the Owyhee, be mindful of other fly fishermen and make sure to use proper etiquette. If you’re visiting the state’s more famous neighbor, Montana, don’t pass Idaho up. They probably prefer the tailouts because this gives them a full perspective of the pool and a great advantage if a wounded or dying fish comes their way. 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. 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. Want to Bag A Bull Trout? They are some of the largest growing freshwater salmonids in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. These, of course are the real secret waters of Idaho. The river’s brook trout are likely the product of an organized introduction effort on the part of fisheries managers years and years ago. By Gary Lewis. 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. Technically, there’s no connection between the Little Lost and the Snake River below Shoshone Falls (where bull trout would be considered native). Truly, this is completely subjective, a thought which is beautiful in its own right. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. South Fork of the Boise River. And it’s yours. If you’re truly looking for the quintessential Henry’s Fork experience, you’ll need to head to what’s known as the Ranch. The Little Lost River is a sinks stream that flows south out of the Beaverhead Mountains toward the little village of Howe, Idaho. Idaho is a one-of-a-kind fly fishing state, and it should be a destination near the top of every fly fisherman’s list. 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. The fish in the river’s canyon stretch—and “river” is misleading—are stunning and can push 15 inches or so. They’re most common in coldwater rivers, which in summer often means upper-elevation streams. Add that to the large numbers of trout per mile and you have arguably the most productive trout river in the country. This is the bull trout that the author had been dreaming about. A slow-moving, gin-clear piece of water, Silver Creek attracts fly fishermen in pursuit of large trout from all across the globe. 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. 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. We opted to go out of country to see what these fish really had to offer. The explanations vary. 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. 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! 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? Missouri River is arguably one of the best trout rivers in Montana, if not the best? 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. Bull trout are widespread in Idaho, mostly in rivers and streams, but they can also found in lakes and reservoirs. There are a lot of fishable streams out there. Okay, okay, forgive me if that’s completely obvious. Your email address will not be published. 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. Some anglers argue that it has the best trout fishing in the whole country, especially the tailwater directly below Flaming Gorge Dam. With clear greenish waters and red canyons, the Green River is a stunning locale in northeast Utah. The same can be said of the nearby Henrys Fork, world-renowned for its challenging dry fly wade fishing for big rainbow trout. Make sure you carefully check the regulations before you go out. As an added bonus, its proximity to Oregon and Washington makes it a doable weekend trip if you’re up for the drive. Here is a comprehensive look at Idaho’s best fly fishing rivers. Often bull trout will hang in the back half of the pool. Make sure to handle the bull trout the least amount possible. 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. Gear Parachute Adams, stimulators and pheasant tails are all excellent patterns to try out on the North Fork. December 1st, 2013. 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. The best fishing on the Green River is in … 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. The region sees heavy snowfall during the winter, which can make fishing tricky. And that’s why I feel that I can writ… The fish in the river’s canyon stretch—and “river” is misleading—are stunning and can push 15 inches or so. In my opinion, it’s a great fly fishing teaching tool, and, truthfully, a very effective method of fishing small water. DIET: Juvenile bull trout, during their first year of life, feed primarily on small aquatic invertebrates. 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. 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. For me—and for my son—this place is magical. Population densities were estimated at 10–20 fish per km (0.62 mi) in 1996. Higher up, go light with a 3- or 4-weight rod and floating line. This location is absolutely beautiful and is the perfect fishing getaway. Early in the season, try swinging a wet fly like a Rio Grande King or a Stayner Ducktail through runoff-swollen water. The South Fork Boise isn’t the most famous river in Idaho, but it’s certainly one of the best. “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. Big Wood River is a tributary to the Snake and Columbia Rivers. They mainly occur in deep pools of large, cold, rivers and lakes. If you do this, you’ll find something much more valuable that secret fishing holes… you’ll find the Idaho I adore. Chinook salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout make up the majority of the fish populations in the Salmon River. Much like the other rivers in Northern Idaho, westslope cutthroat are the primary target here. 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. 3- or 4-weight rod and floating line degree of stealthiness to effectively fish riffles and taking flies. 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