Idaho Fish Report

Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir

This section closed June 16 and will reopen next Friday Oct. 1. This closure is due to extremely high water temperatures (80 degrees) that occur in this section of the river in the summer. ODFW expects good fishing on the Oct. 1 opener.

J.C. Boyle Dam to J.C Boyle Powerhouse

Open all year. Flows are low and stable. Catch rates should be good. Fishing is best below the spring inputs. The springs start to discharge into the river approximately one mile below J.C. Boyle Dam. This section of river requires a hike down steep grade to the river with the exception of the area just above the powerhouse.

Use small flies as fish are small in this section. Good hatches of caddisflies are occurring. Dry fly fishing will be good.

There is good access at the powerhouse. Park and walk upstream. This area is fished hard but you can hike to get away from the pressure. Hiking or wading upstream is difficult. Small nymphs such as pheasant tails and prince nymphs work well in this section. Small black Panther Martins or Rooster Tails work well cast upstream into the deeper pools. 

J.C. Boyle Powerhouse to State Line with California

Access was blocked on the west side due to fire but is now open. Open all year. Catch rates are high during low flow periods. Flows will be low and stable all this week and potentially into next week as well. Fishing will be excellent during this time.

Best fishing is when flows are less than 900 cfs. Flow estimates are available and you can check them at PacifiCorp Weekly Flow Estimates. You can also call the flow line at 1-800-547-1501. Flows will lower this week on Wednesday until late afternoon. Fishing can be excellent this time of year if flows are fishable.

Large attractor flies such and wooly buggers, bead head prince, stimulators, and rubber leg stoneflies under a strike indicator work best this time of year. Olive and black wooly buggers almost always work well. Black spinners and Panther Martins can also work.

Below the JC Boyle Powerhouse the redband/rainbow trout get slightly larger than the aforementioned reach and average 12 inches but rarely exceed 16 inches. Currently, most redband caught are in the 10- to 14-inch range.