Fly Fishing IdahoDo you like fly fishing? There are more than 26,000 miles of fishable streams in the State of Idaho. More than 26,000 miles! If you haven't yet experienced the fly angling in Idaho, you have a lot to look forward to. There are many favorite fly waters in the Gem State and many are rated as Blue Ribbon trout streams. Later on this page, take a look at some of these more famous trout fishing waters in Idaho.
I had driven all night to meet my friend, Jimmy Franks, at a gas station in his hometown of Oakley, Idaho. It was 5:15 a.m., and although I was 15 minutes late, a sleepy Jimmy was patiently waiting, standing next to his pick-up truck. Jimmy had promised me a memorable experience on a favorite stream of his called Trapper Creek. According to Jimmy, the native cutthroat trout in the creek were something to behold. It was early June 1970 and, as I recall, it was a brisk morning. Jimmy suggested I leave my car at the gas station, so I threw my gear into his truck, parked my car in an out-of-the-way spot in the station’s lot, and piled into Jimmy’s pick-up. Jimmy poured me a cup of hot coffee from a thermos and handed it to me with a cold, fried egg sandwich. We took off for Jimmy’s Trapper Creek. Fifteen minutes later, we turned onto a forest service road that paralleled the creek and, 5 minutes later, Jimmy pulled to the side of the dirt road. “This is it!”, he said. “It” was a picture-perfect creek, surrounded by tall fir trees and short brush. As I pulled on my waders and put my 2-piece fly rod together, I could see trout working for breakfast at the end of a short riffle. My first taste of Idaho fly fishing was about to begin. My first two casts and presentations were poor. I was nervous and a bit awestruck by the natural beauty of this spot. But, on the third cast the suggested Griffith’s Gnat settled perfectly ahead of the busy trout at the base of the run and the water exploded as a hefty cutthroat hammered the fly. I caught and released over 50 fish that day. None of these Official Idaho State Fish were under 14 inches. A couple of the heavy rascals were over 20. That was 36 years ago. I'm told that trout fishing on Trapper Creek is not as good today, but I’ve been infatuated with Idaho’s fly fishing action ever since.
Regulations and rules are, of course, vastly different on each water. The 2008/2009 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules booklet is available here. To download a free PDF File copy of the official regulations and rules in whole or in part,
click here.
Today's fly fishernman will find some unbelievable fishing venues in Idaho. If fly fishing Idaho is in your plans, the book, FLYFISHERS GUIDE TO IDAHO will help you find that special spot you won't soon forget. The Guide also suggests fly patterns to use. It is available here from AMAZON:
Henrys Fork
Click here for an article by famed fly fisherman and fly tying trendsetter Mike Lawson of Henrys Fork Anglers, who describes fly fishing the Henrys Fork, section by section. The Henrys Fork River can be found between Henrys Lake and south to the small town of Chester, and the river roughly parallels U.S. Route 20. Drift boat fishing the Henrys Fork is popular.
Kelly Creek Kelly Creek is located in the northern part of Idaho’s Clearwater National Forest. Kelly Creek and the St. Joe River north of it both have their beginnings in the Bitterroot Mountains on the border with Montana. While one is called a “creek” and the other a “river”, the two are like in flow and size. The native westslope cutthroat trout is the featured attraction here, if you don’t like clear, clean water, incredible natural beauty and quiet solitude. The cutthroat was all but gone from this drainage in the 60’s. A strict catch-and-release program along with the devoted rehabilitation effort brought the native “cuts” back as before. Now, Kelly gets my vote as a genuine blue ribbon trout stream! Fish are plentiful, but insect production is low compared to other streams. As a result, the trout are not picky. Many generic fly patterns bring up fish with size 12 to 16 Adams, Royal Wulff, hair-wing Caddis copies being well received on the surface and nymphs like the Zugbug and the Pheasant Tail producing in pools and deeper runs. In August, grasshopper patterns can do the job close to the banks. Single, barbless hooks and catch-and-release rules are in effect. More on Kelly Creek....
Silver Creek
Silver Creek gets its beginnings in the Pioneer Mountains far to the north. It starts from melting snow, but later bubbles up as spring creeks south of Bellevue and Gannett. Grove and Stocker Creeks, formed by these springs, come together to form Silver Creek. Silver Creek is crystal-clear, with flat - sometimes shallow - water. The Cloud River strain of rainbow trout are the featured attraction here, but the “who cares” whitefish are native. Some immigrant brown trout and “brookies” have sneaked into this heavenly setting from far downstream. This is tough fishing. It takes patience and great skill with a fly rod. On top of that, the fish are used to guys like you and they’re not about to be anybody’s fool. The fish are wary of tippets and often shun even the best-tied flies. These are selective trout! The creek is extremely fertile. Multiple insect hatches are common, beginning with the Memorial Day weekend opening often accompanied by the appearance of the Brown Drake and the Blue-winged Olives. Later, Pale Morning Duns (PMD’s) are prolific, and although some caddis species appear in the summer and fall, the mayfly still is predominant. Throughout the season, this stream is known as the best dry fly water in the West. There is pretty good access that is clearly marked, some private land to contend with, and a Nature Conservancy preserve that manages about a mile of the stream. To fish the Conservancy property, you must sign in with them first and be aware of the strict catch-and-release and other rules. A stop at the Conservancy is a good idea anyway to find out about current conditions.
Big Wood River A friend and superb fly fisher lady originally from Twin Falls, says it best. “I love the Big Wood”, Rachel Andersen exclaims. “It’s a great fly fishing river!” The Big Wood starts its plunge into the Magic Valley from Galena Summit in the Sawtooth Mountains, 29 miles north of Ketchum, Idaho. There are excellent access points between Bellevue and Ketchum, but fishing is also just as good on the harder-to-get-to waters south of Bellevue. Some portions of the river are catch-and-release and some parts are for flies only or barbless hooks. The Big Wood’s native trout are “red-banded” rainbows, but brook trout, cutthroat trout and brown trout also swim the river. Some whitefish are present, as are Wood River sculpins, a bullhead variety found only in this river. Good fishing peaks by mid-August with many fish ranging between 12 and 16 inches, but dark streamers and large nymphs work well beneath the river’s undercut banks during the spring runoff. Muddler Minnows do well because of the sculpin population and Adams, Royal Wulffs and mayfly patterns will get the job done. Hopper patterns thrown in the late summer months will also bring up nice fish. Get to the Big Wood by taking the Sawtooth National Scenic Byway (State Route 75) north out of Twin Falls to its junction with U.S. Route 20 at Timmerman Hills. Turn west and pick a spot. More on Big Wood River....
Clearwater River Steelhead fishing the Clearwater is its main draw. From its emergence with the Snake River just west of Lewiston to Orofino to the east, the Mainstem is a steelheader’s delight. Fishermen fish in the “buckets” (local term for fishing holes) from the shore, by wading and by boat. Above Dworshak Reservoir, formed as a result of the river’s forks, similar methods are employed, subject to regulations. Steelhead, whether wild or hatchery produced, return to the place where they were hatched. Having been away for 1 to 3 years, they must travel a grueling 1,000 miles from the Pacific Ocean to their birthplace, maneuvering over eight dams within the Columbia River system. Chinook salmon fishing on the Clearwater River is also open in the spring, beginning late April (see regulations). For the fly fisherman, steelhead fishing has both a Fall Season and a Spring Season. Only steelhead with a clipped adipose fin may be kept. These are hatchery-raised fish having returned from the ocean. Wild steelhead, without the clipped fin, must be released unharmed. Kept fish (within catch limits) must be recorded on the fisherman’s permit card, obtained with the fishing license. A catch-and-release program is in effect on the the Clearwater beginning on October 15th and running through April 30th. Varying rules as to barbless use, areas not permitted, seasons and so on should be studied in the Idaho State Fishing Regulations Booklet. The Clearwater River ranks in the top 10 of all steelhead streams. Fish weighing 12 - 15 pounds are common, with fish of 20 or more pounds being caught each year. Fly fishermen will find that pattern is not as critical as color on the Clearwater. These are not fussy fish. A minimum 7-weight rod and sinking tip line is recommended. While steelhead fishing is also popular and regulated on the river’s North and South Forks , trout fishing can be outstanding on all three of the river’s forks.
St. Joe River Primary Forest Road 50 (FS 50), also known as St. Joe River Road, follows the river for nearly 90 miles to the Red Ives Ranger Station at its junction with Forest Road 218, and beyond. The road begins at the junction with State Route 3 at St. Maries. Red Ives, incidentally, was established in 1935 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally built as the road to the ranger station at Red Ives, FS 50 also takes fishermen to their favorite spots.
The river’s main attraction is the plentiful wild and native cutthroat. Rainbow trout, planted on and off for decades by the fish and game people, are ever-present, as are smaller numbers of protected bull trout (Dolly Varden). Some stretches of the river are under a catch-and-release, barbless hook program. Check the Idaho Fishing Regulations for details and any other restrictions. Fly fishermen will find a five-weight rod with a floating line appropriate for this river. Favorite fly patterns include the Irresistible, the Royal Wulff, the Renegade and the Stimulator, all in sizes 10 to 14. Mayflies are plentiful in the spring, when emerger patterns are hot with the larger fish. When the weather gets warmer in late July, the hopper patterns come into play and late in the season, midge fishing is a blast at midday. There are commercial campgrounds at St. Maries and upstream at Avery. Pack Saddle, Turner Tin Can and Conrad Crossing campgrounds with services are upstream from Avery and several undeveloped campsites can be found all along the river. More on St. Joe River....
Lochsa/Selway Rivers Note that both of these rivers (along with others in Idaho) are also world-class rafting rivers with wild waters and many rapids rated at III-IV+ Class. Some bad fly fishing water! The Lochsa River and the Selway River converge and create the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River at the community of Lowell 95 miles southeast of Lewiston and 17 miles southeast of Kooskia. On their path to the west, between Lolo Pass and Lowell, the rivers cut through some of the wildest and most scenic country in the United States. U.S. Route 12, the “Lewis & Clark Highway”, follows the Lochsa River from just below Lolo Pass to Lowell. The Selway, on the other hand, makes its way to the Lochsa down through some primitive, uninhabited terrain. You will find scores of easy access points to the Lochsa along Route 12. Each access is a unique fly fishing delight, with a different set of riffles, varying runs and pools for you to fish. The waters above Wilderness Gateway Bridge at mile marker #122 will produce heftier fish. While the average cutthroat caught in the Lochsa is 12” to 14”, larger fish can be taken. Favorite flies are the Elk Hair Caddis, the Adams and the Renegade in sizes 12 to 16. A five-weight rod with a floating line is perfect. The Selway River has more limited access. The best access and possibly the best fishing can be found from the river’s union with the Lochsa River to about 17 miles upstream at Selway Falls. There are hiking trails and several campsites along this portion of the Selway. Fly fishing the Selway River is similar to the Lochsa. Crystal-clear water, different water types and westslope cutthroats. Rainbow trout, bull trout and mountain whitefish are also present. For some reason, the fish are more selective and wary on the Selway than on the Lochsa. You must fish harder to bring fish to the net, but the area scenery easily outweighs the challenge. More on Lochsa River....
Salmon River The mighty Salmon River originates below the Galena Summit in the Sawtooth Mountains of south central Idaho. The upper river flows about 170 miles north from its beginnings to a point near the town of North Fork, where it turns west and flows some 37 miles to its confluence with the Middle Fork. The river cuts through the guts of Idaho and through the center of the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, the single largest wilderness area ever so designated in the contiguous 48 states. It moves on relentlessly on its more than 400-mile journey ending in the depths of Hells Canyon on the Snake River. Much of the river is probably best known for its whitewater rafting and kayaking, but it also delivers good steelhead and trout fishing. Fly fishing is popular for all species. From near its headwaters north to North Fork the river flows adjacent or close to U.S. Route 93. There are many river access points with scattered campgrounds and picnic sites. Complete facilities are available in towns like Challis and Salmon along the way. The upper Salmon River is open year-round for trout and whitefish with steelhead fishing allowed in specific areas and times in the fall and winter months. Trout fishing on the river’s Middle Fork is generally open from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend with limiting regulations. Steelhead fishing on this tributary is permitted also, with limiting regulations.
The lower Salmon River between the Middle Fork and the Snake River confluence is a 200-mile stretch of fly fishing fun. With the exception of the gorge which is only accessible by floating or jet boat, there are many access points. Highway 95 follows the river from below Whitebird to Riggins, with many unpaved access roads from that point and into other river points. There are dirt roads into the steep canyon, but you will be better off employing the skills of an outfitter’s river guide in this area. This is big, wild, dangerous country with deep, turbulent water to contend with.
TIGHT LINES!
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Since then, I have become a fair nymph fisherman. Specifically, I really get a kick out of presenting mayfly nymphs to feeding trout. To learn more, see my article,
