Fly Fishing Guide to Idaho is an awesome resource, you can really use it to plan your trip as far as timing and where to go. If you have specific questions feel free to PM me. Late June is going to probably be higher than ideal water conditions, but you can still find great places to fish.Welcome to the forum! The only water in ID that I have fished is the South Fork of the Snake but it is a big river, better suited for drifting, but if you're in the area I wouldn't let that stop you from trying a couple likely looking spots. The river flows along hwy 26 from Swan Valley to Idaho Falls. When driving west along hwy 26 after passing Swan Valley look for N. 175th Rd and follow that north until it crosses the river and then turn right, it will turn into a dirt road, follow that east along the river, there are a couple of Y's, stay to the right to follow the river, the road will turn into Burns Creek Rd and lead into BLM land and watch for likely looking spots to fish.
Do a search for Dorian.Ducker and then send him a PM, he is a member and lives in Idaho Falls and he should be able to point you in the right direction. Same goes for idahoflyfisher and bigcabindana (he lives in Twin Falls).
You might also pick up a copy of Fly Fishing the Henry's Fork by Mike Lawson and Gary LaFontaine:
Fly Fishing the Henry's Fork Mike Lawson Gary LaFontain - eBay (item 350319528522 end time Mar-22-10 05:25:40 PDT)
This is an excellent DVD by Mike Lawson on the Henry's Fork:
Amazon.com: HENRY'S FORK with Mike Lawson: Mike Lawson, Gene Hering: Movies & TV
I'd also recommend you get a copy of the Flyfisher's Guide to Idaho by Ken Retallic and Rocky Barker:
Amazon.com: Flyfisher's Guide to Idaho (2nd Edition) (Flyfisher's Guides) (9781885106957): Ken Retallic, Rocky Barker, R. D. Dye: Books
Hope you have a good trip.
Larry
Hi skubutz;Hi,
Looking for everyone's secret fishing spots in Idaho.......my buddy and I would like to take a trip there in late June and are looking for rivers and streams off the beaten path. Never been so don't really know what to expect. Any takers?
And a welcome to you, too, Neil. There are quite a few accommodations in and around Idaho Falls and in the Island Park area. You can even rent equipment if you don't want to bring it along on your trip. There are a couple of lodges that offer guide services as well. It sort of depends on what you're looking for. Perhaps you can PM me with details...same for skubutz, too, if you want.'neilrowe said:Greetings all
I am a new member from Cape Town, South Africa. In early May I will be in LA on a business trip and want to fly up to Idaho Falls to explore the area and do some flyfishing....
Neil: Thanks for posting such a great trip report! Sounds like you had a great time despite being a bit early for fly fishing. I have to agree the Gros Ventre is a beautiful little stream, I camped there last year, but it was during run off so I didn't fish it, but it is on my to-do list. Maybe next time you visit we can get you out with some of the members of this forum and do a float together.Guys
A little feedback and perceptions from a visitor to the USA and to Idaho fishing in particular. My 2 week fishing trip at the end of May has come and gone and I'm back in South Africa in the midst of World Cup fever.
I based myself in Idaho Falls for the first week. The only rivers that were open were various sections of the Henry's Fork. I fished the section below Ashton Dam (Sealy's) for a couple of days and also spent a day on the Bear Gulch section. I must say that I have never seen as much insect activity on any river before, although the locals told me that the hatches were not really happening and that the previous week was better (is'nt that always the case/). I did ok under the circumstances, I think, averaging 2 fish per session. Most of the fish were taken on nymphs. Bear Gulch was lovely and I caught a nice 23 in rainbow that I spotted taking caddis flies right up against the bank. Nice fish and an awesome setting.
Thereafter, I based myself in West Yellowstone for 4 days, which were spent mainly doing sight seeing activities in Yellowstone National Park. I did manage a short session on the Madison below Hegben Lake though. Saw a number of large fish but blanked, unfortunately. My girlfriend hooked two monsters but got broken off both times.
Our next destination was Jackson, Wyoming. Two days in this lovely town. The Gros Ventre was open, so I duly managed to squeeze in a morning session. Only caught one cutt - but a 23/24" fish not less! Could not believe a fish this size in such a tiny piece of water.
We then drove down to flagstaff, Arizona to visit friends. The only trout fishing nearby is Oak Creek in Sedona. I had a morning session there which yielded 9 wild brownies. Lovely setting.
That concluded our little trip. Many good memories though. Friendly, hospitable people, a beautiful country, huge motor vehicles, Harleys galore and basically a country which works well.
I shall return.
Regards
Neil
Neil: Some folks don't like to fish from boats and prefer to concentrate on small streams and that is just fine, but as you saw on your trip we have some pretty big water out west and a boat just gives you access to so much more water, and then there is the mending thing. From a boat you can get extremely long drag free drifts. We have been in spring run off lately so unless you fish stillwaters or tailwaters there hasn't been any fishing. However, the rivers are dropping rapidly. I'm headed up to the upper North Platte tomorrow for a float and then on Saturday I'm floating the Wind River, but that will be with a guide. I have never been on that river and always make a point of going with a guide or friend first to see the water first hand before I try to float it on my own. Then on July 15/16 myself and some other forum members are getting together to do a couple floats over on the Green River, WY. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back, it should be fantastic fishing this time of year.Larry
A float trip would be interesting as I've never drift boat fished before. Always thought that it was a strange concept until I saw and fished the Henry's Fork! Wade fishing in fast flow is quite something. Mend, mend and mend again! I will definitely try and get together with some some forum members next time.
The flyfishers I met on river were all extremely friendly and helpful - guess it's just the nature of flyfishers everywhere.
What's the fishing like now btw?
Regards
Neil