Idaho Fish Report

Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir

Fishing should be improving but no recent reports. June is usually excellent in this area until closing after June 15. Excellent hatches of mayflies and caddisflies are occurring with incredible densities of Bonaparte and Franklin gulls feeding on them. Patterns that mimic caddis pupae and mayfly emergers will do well. Most redband are completed spawning and moving up the reach. Remember bait is not allowed and only one fish over 15 inches can be harvested per day. Also, remember that once you retain your one redband/rainbow trout limit you must stop fishing for redband/rainbow trout.

Flows (742 cfs) are good and fishable. Water temperature is increasing steadily. Large trout in this reach feed on the many fathead minnows and chub coming down from above Keno Dam. Sculpin are very abundant in this reach as well. Few trout over 18 inches were caught last fall. Flies and lures that mimic these minnows and sculpins will be successful. Remember the Klamath River eats your fishing gear. Jig style hooks, heavy line and single barbless hooks can reduce the likelihood of losing a lot of gear.

This section of the river is very challenging fishing with white water and treacherous wading. The river is loaded with boulders and drop-offs. ODFW recommends a wading staff, wading belt, excellent wading boots with studs, and maybe even a helmet and shin guards!

Public access is difficult, but you can drive a horrendous road to immediately below Keno Dam. All other sites require a significant hike to the river.

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

Open all year. Flows are low and stable and typically range from 100 cfs at the dam and increase due to springs around 350 cfs at the Powerhouse. Catch rates should be good for this time of year. 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 except for the area just above the powerhouse.

Use small flies or lures as redband trout are mostly small (8-10 inches) in this section.

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. Salmonflies and golden stones are hatching. Using smaller stimulator patterns in this reach due to the small fish size. Small black Panther Martins or Rooster Tails work well when cast upstream into the deeper pools. 

J.C. Boyle Powerhouse to State Line with California

Fishing should be good in early morning before flows drastically increase. Salmonflies and golden stoneflies are hatching. Match these insects with appropriate flies both dries and nymphs. Make sure you have good tires and 4X4. Best fishing is when flows are less than 900 cfs. You can check flow estimates at PacifiCorp Weekly Flow Estimates. You can also call the flow line at 1-800-547-1501. Best fishing will be before 10 a.m. this week.

Large attractor flies such and wooly buggers, bead head prince, 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.