the bent rod

Fishing Report

Summer fishing is heating up in Central Idaho
Summer Fishing Idaho, cutthroat fishing

Wild West Slope Cutthroat caught on a local stream in Idaho

Summer Salmon River Fishing:

The river between Stanley and Challis has been fishing well this summer, with nice cutthroat being caught and plenty of stocked rainbow trout.  There is usually a good caddis fly hatch going on, so elk hair caddis or small stimulators will work well.  Large foam attractors and hoppers in the riffles will work, and having any kind of nymph dropper will help.  Small spinners (try to avoid hooking those Kings!) and drifting nightcrawlers should also work.

The river between Challis and Salmon does have some very nice sized rainbow and cutthroat, and casting a hopper near the banks will sometimes produce a whopper.  A Rapala is the secret lure of choice for these fish.

The upper Salmon River tributaries are in excellent shape, and mayfly, caddis and terrestrial imitations are the answer right now.  Big streamers can help create some real excitement.  If you’re looking to take the kids fishing, the Yankee Fork dredge ponds are great place to go.

Middle Fork tributaries are at their peak fishing condition right now, and small light colored stimulators were working well over the weekend- these are imitating a light colored caddis hatch that is going on.  A few mayflies were seen as well.

Big Lost River Fishing:

Below the reservoir yellow sallies, caddis flies, tricos, baetis and PMDs can be found hatching in the morning and caddis again in the evening.  Make sure to have dries in sizes 18-22.  Mackay Special should be good for most of the summer, and try a Tim’s Candy Crane to imitate the larval crane fly.  Prince nymphs and pheasant tails are the basic go to for the slower afternoon fishing.

Upper Big Lost is in great shape and hoppers can produce, and will produce even more with a nymph dropper.  If hoppers quit working, tie on a nice streamer to run through the holes.

Mountain Lakes:

Take some adult Damsel Fly Imitations to Bayhorse Lakes for great action.  Little Bayhorse seems to have fewer fish, but bigger ones can be caught.

Mosquito Flat is a great place to take the kids- fish with nightcrawlers and a marshmallow for a limit of rainbow trout.

Fly fishing Idaho, Cutthroat Trout

Nice West Slope Cutthroat Trout caught on a #16 Orange Stimulator

Where have you been fishing? Send us your photos!