Idaho Fish Report

As We celebrate the #25DaysofFishmas, this Saturday’s Hot Spot is the Collection Ditch at Ruby Lake NWR in Elko County. As cold temperatures set in, area waters are freezing. But the collection ditch is fed by springs that come out of the ground at 51 degrees, keeping much of the ditch open for fishing. Local anglers fish the ditch from mid-December to mid-April for trophy sized trout, some exceeding 10 lbs. There are tiger, rainbow, cuttbow, and brown trout here. Currently the water is stained, which is advantageous for anglers. Regulations state that only artificial lures or flies may be used. Fish wooly or crystal buggers and leech patterns in black, purple or dark olive. If the water starts to clear, egg patterns or egg sucking leeches may catch a few. Warm breezy afternoons may see a blue winged olive hatch, so BWO emergers and dries may work. For spin fishermen try dark spinners and rooster tails when the water is stained and brightly colored lures when it is clear.