General Fishing Report

Summer doldrums? Says who? The Salmonfly frenzy is all but over, but Hoppers are out in force. We’re rounding the corner into the ‘dog days’ and it’s been hotter than two rats having a fart-off in a wool sock.
 
As far as weather and stream conditions are concerned, you can’t ask for much more than what we’ve had this month. Sure, the occasional 100 degree afternoon lightning storm can be a bummer – especially when you’re standing knee deep in a prime electrical current conductor waiving a graphite lightning fly rod – but hey, it’s summer in Idaho so get used to it.

Freestone streams are in great shape right now. If you haven’t been in the backcountry this season you’re missing out. There’s no way to cover 50 miles of empty gin clear river on foot, but it’s sure nice to know it’s there!

We hit the Middle Fork of the Salmon over the weekend and pretty much had it all to ourselves. In related news a new study shows cutthroat trout in our area are magnetically charged to crystal flash, multi-colored foam and pointy steel.

Regardless of where you decide to go it’s time to get out and do the Henry David Thoreau thing. The upper North, Middle, and South Forks of the Boise River are in prime shape right now. They unpressured, easy to fish, and provide welcome relief from the heat.

If you’re intent on fishing the tailwaters this time of year, you’ll need to switch up your tactics. Fish on the South Fork of the Boise and Owyhee have been hit hard and they’re starting to get savvy to ‘same old, same old’.

Fish are spreading out and you’ll need to get creative to find them. I’m not going to spill the beans here, but we’ve got some great late summer tips and tactics on our detailed report pages.

Trout Lie members, log into the site to view all of our detailed river reports, hatch info, and updated fly recommendations. Have a great week of fishing!

Featured Big Fish Photo

Here is your chance to post your big catch on the world wide web. We will feature photos sent to us for display here on our website for all to see. If you would like to have instant world wide fame, fortune, and be the envy of supermodels everywhere, feel free to send us your big fish photos.

This week's big fish pic is Chaz Hogenauer with an outstanding Owyhee River brown. You're off to a great start and it looks like your Pop's got a fishing partner for life! Keep em' coming.