Idaho truly does offer fly fishermen some of the best opportunities in the country when it comes to spectacular trout fishing. If you’re truly looking for the quintessential Henry’s Fork experience, you’ll need to head to what’s known as the Ranch. Anglers—and hunters—are more and more important in the conservation discussion all across America. Big Wood River is a tributary to the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The river is most commonly fished from Ashton downstream to St. Anthony. The brookies, too, are aggressive and very respectable. Cutthroat Trout offer anglers, especially flyfishers, a highly entertaining native trout experience on almost every North Idaho water. 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). 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. Some anglers argue that it has the best trout fishing in the whole country, especially the tailwater directly below Flaming Gorge Dam. More information: Fishing the Henry’s Fork River. Second, there’s an ongoing debate over how bull trout ended up in the Little Lost River. The Big Wood River is a classic Idaho stream, open and wide with numerous trout species eager to rise to dry flies. Written by: Evan Williams. [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. The Little Lost River is one of Idaho’s true small-water treasures, and while it’s surprisingly accessible, it doesn’t see much pressure. For streamers and fat hoppers, use a 5-weight with floating line. It’s a smaller river, filled with slow-moving stretches and fast-moving pockets alike, and it’s home to some very large trout. Bull trout inhabit both forks of the Jarbidge River, as well as several tributaries. As the bull trout grows larger their diet begins to consist of other fish species. Silver Creek isn’t a river for beginners – the slow-moving and gin-clear nature of the stream make it a difficult stream to fish, even for experts, and a guided trip is a good idea if it’s your first time. For me—and for my son—this place is magical. Preferred temperatures are normally <12 C (<54 F), Juveniles use runs, riffles and . As the summer progresses, switch to attractor dries, like Stimulators, Adams and Royal Coachmans. 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. 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. The other explanation is much less romantic (but just as likely, if not more so). The river runs along the Wyoming-Idaho border under the magnificent Teton Range, and it is home to good populations of rainbow … Bull trout are widespread in Idaho, mostly in rivers and streams, but they can also found in lakes and reservoirs. Bull trout are widespread in Idaho, mostly in rivers and streams, but they can also found in lakes and reservoirs. Don’t miss Northwest fishing news! Copyright 2021, The Orvis Company Inc. This is a river that’s best fished in the summer through the fall. 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. This piscivorous behavior increases as the fish continues to grow. 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. 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. pocket water but fish >1 year selected deeper pools while resting (Wydoski and Whitney 2003). A slow-moving, gin-clear piece of water, Silver Creek attracts fly fishermen in pursuit of large trout from all across the globe. 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. Truly, this is completely subjective, a thought which is beautiful in its own right. 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. Visit Idaho notes that the river is “one of the most famous rivers” in Western Idaho, and for good reason. Later in the summer, particularly in the valley of the river, go with high-floating foam hoppers, beetles and ants. 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. 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. Make sure you carefully check the regulations before you go out. Fishingis not just about fishing. 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. 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. 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. Although they typically average in the 12 to 14 inch range, cutthroat in here have been known to surpass 20 inches. This location is absolutely beautiful and is the perfect fishing getaway. December 1st, 2013. 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. Make sure to handle the bull trout the least amount possible. 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. The Little Lost’s trout aren’t terribly picky—a theme you’ll find among most backcountry trout. The fish in the river’s canyon stretch—and “river” is misleading—are stunning and can push 15 inches or so. 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. 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. 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. The South Fork Boise isn’t the most famous river in Idaho, but it’s certainly one of the best. Check this one out if you’re looking for some big trout in Central Idaho! Best Idaho Fly Fishing Rivers Idaho has 17 fly fish spots. 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. Fishing is productive on the river year-round, and spring through fall bring hatches of midges, mayflies, stoneflies, and caddis; all of which are happily fed on by the multitude of 20-inch plus trout in the river. All photos courtesy Evan Williams . First, it’s likely that at least some of the sinks drainages were fishless before trout were introduced into them. Although they typically average in the 12 to 14 inch range, cutthroat in here have been known to surpass 20 inches. 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? There are multiple stretches of this river drainage that are popular with fly fishermen. Montana and Idaho are about the only places to find them in the US but they are not widespread like they are in Canada. 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. Chinook salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout make up the majority of the fish populations in the Salmon River. During the summer months they eat their way up the system before entering small tributaries to spawn in September. As always, be sure to check current regulations before you head out – salmon and steelhead fisheries have more fickle seasons than trout fisheries do. 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. In this stretch, the fish get a bit bigger, and trophy trout fishing becomes a real possibility, particularly for rainbows. Bull trout have a lot of restrictions around them in the United States. The more anglers who experience the backcountry, the more allies our wild fish have when it comes time to beat back a bad idea or stand up to those who don’t share our conservation values. 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. Located in the US, the fly fishing in Idaho offers over fifteen scenic trout rivers spots. From the expansive, world-famous rivers of Montana to high desert creeks in Central Oregon, the Northwest is a magical place for fly fishermen. Gear South Fork of the Boise River. 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. It’s without a doubt Central Idaho’s best stream. The fish in the river’s canyon stretch—and “river” is misleading—are stunning and can push 15 inches or so. Across Idaho, there are plenty of places to catch large trout. The Idaho state record was caught in 1949—when the harvesting of bull trout was legal—in Lake Pend Oreille, and weighed a whopping 32 pounds. 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. Some of the things you can do to help are: Observe the catch and release policy. Imagine the beauty and the untracked, untrashed places where wild fish swim. I certainly believe that to be true. 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. 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. It’s not your traditional western fly fishing river, but it’s excellent at producing large trout time and time again. It could be easily argued that protecting it in perpetuity is in the best interest of every angler willing to step off the pavement in Idaho and explore a little bit. But in Idaho, where bull trout live mostly in undeveloped wilderness or mountain areas, there wasn’t much worry for the 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. By Gary Lewis. This is a very unique river: It’s very slow-moving and requires a certain degree of stealthiness to effectively fish. “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. 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. Bull Trout are incredibly powerful and challenging fish making an angler give his best to land them. It’s nearly the polar opposite of faster-flowing freestone streams like the St. Joe and the Coeur D’Alene, and that uniqueness is one of the reasons it’s so popular. The Little Salmon River stretches about 51 miles along the western portion of the state. If you want 100 or more good cutthroat in a day, the upper end of the St. Joe can provide. But the real secrets of Idaho are still out there, awaiting the wandering fisher who, armed with a 3-weight and a box of dry flies, can literally step back in time and experience the best of Idaho. 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. The Clearwater is known for producing giant steelhead, and the run is famous with anglers from across the country. One of the most attractive aspects of this trip was the promise at another native species: the Westslope Cutthroat trout. That would explain the presence of bull trout, and perhaps the rainbows (are the Little Lost’s rainbows the progeny of Salmon River steelhead?) 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. Whether the mountainous, forest region of Northern Idaho is calling your name or you’re more drawn to the wide-open expanses to the east, there’s something for everyone here. 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. Western Idaho is a popular locale both for fly fishermen in the region and those who make the trip from Oregon and Washington, and the South Fork of the Boise River is a particularly popular spot. 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. 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. 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