I've never even seen one of these prehistoric bottom dwellers in the wild. In fact, I don't think I've tried caviar. I'll do both eventually.
These photos were given to me by a friend whose family homesteaded along the Snake River in Southern Idaho.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Snake River White Sturgeon
Sturgeon factoids: Idaho's white sturgeon are found in the Kootenai, Lower Salmon, and Snake Rivers. It is North America's largest fresh water game fish. Coastal white sturgeon are anadromous and can be legally harvested with certain restrictions. Idaho has not allowed sturgeon harvest since 1970.
I've never even seen one of these prehistoric bottom dwellers in the wild. In fact, I don't think I've tried caviar. I'll do both eventually.
These photos were given to me by a friend whose family homesteaded along the Snake River in Southern Idaho.
I've never even seen one of these prehistoric bottom dwellers in the wild. In fact, I don't think I've tried caviar. I'll do both eventually.
These photos were given to me by a friend whose family homesteaded along the Snake River in Southern Idaho.
Monday, January 16, 2012
2010 Boise River Population Results
A good number of people reminded me this weekend at the Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo that I have failed to post lately. February always brings renewed dry fly activity. I’ll being cleaning my over-and-under 20 gauge and locking it up in a couple more weeks. Thanks for staying with me.
Great news on the Boise River, and not unexpected to those of you who fish it, who know it, and who have realized its potential. The rainbow population has reached high levels not recorded in prior Lower Boise River population studies. Brown trout, on the other hand, have really suffered.
As part an attempt to once again bolster the browns, the IDFG released over 15,000 adipose-clipped fingerling browns in both 2009 and 2010. (They actually did it again in 2011, but the population survey was conducted in October 2010.) Only five of these fish were captured in the study. And very few existing wild browns were captured either. The data indicates that one of these browns in the middle section of river was nearly 30”, however.
IDFG Southwest Region 2010 Annual Fisheries Report
Also perhaps of interest in the annual report: there are approximately 5 million pounds of carp in Lake Lowell. I think 5 million pounds of mallards used to winter there when we had a better migration flyway.
Abundant high water and main-stem spawning has really helped Boise River rainbows. What a great opportunity to implement a catch-and-release, no bait regulation on several miles of river (from Barber Park to Broadway, ideally). This portion of the river has the biological capability to become a quality destination.
Time to protect what mother nature is trying so hard to give us.
Great news on the Boise River, and not unexpected to those of you who fish it, who know it, and who have realized its potential. The rainbow population has reached high levels not recorded in prior Lower Boise River population studies. Brown trout, on the other hand, have really suffered.
As part an attempt to once again bolster the browns, the IDFG released over 15,000 adipose-clipped fingerling browns in both 2009 and 2010. (They actually did it again in 2011, but the population survey was conducted in October 2010.) Only five of these fish were captured in the study. And very few existing wild browns were captured either. The data indicates that one of these browns in the middle section of river was nearly 30”, however.
IDFG Southwest Region 2010 Annual Fisheries Report
Also perhaps of interest in the annual report: there are approximately 5 million pounds of carp in Lake Lowell. I think 5 million pounds of mallards used to winter there when we had a better migration flyway.
Abundant high water and main-stem spawning has really helped Boise River rainbows. What a great opportunity to implement a catch-and-release, no bait regulation on several miles of river (from Barber Park to Broadway, ideally). This portion of the river has the biological capability to become a quality destination.
Time to protect what mother nature is trying so hard to give us.
Monday, January 2, 2012
IDFG Angler Opinion Survey
Be sure to complete the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Angler Opinion Survey. Your opinion matters to the future of fisheries management in Idaho.
You'll want to answer Question #13, which reads, "Scientific study has demonstrated that most hooking related fishing mortality is related to where the fish is hooked (jaw, gills, stomach) and is not related to the use of barbed or barbless hooks. Because barbless hooks are an unnecessary restriction to achieve management and conservation goals, the Department is considering removing barbless hook restrictions in trout fisheries. Anglers could continue to voluntarily use barbless hooks if they desire. Would you support or oppose the elimination of mandatory barbless hook restrictions in Idaho trout fisheries?"
The preface of this question assumes that all hooks are created equally. By hooking fish after they swallow bait, gear anglers using barbless treble hooks have a much higher mortality incidence than single-hook artficial flies and lures. The survey question is poorly worded as it "baits" the person taking the survey. Single barbless hooks slide out of a fish's jaw much easier than barbed ones, there's no arguing that. Large, barbed hooks (single or treble) do damage to trout, particularly juvenilles.
The IDFG does a nice job of managing quality trout fisheries in the state. But they are very misguided if they think a sweeping regulation change to allow barbed hooks in all trout water is justifiable.
You'll want to answer Question #13, which reads, "Scientific study has demonstrated that most hooking related fishing mortality is related to where the fish is hooked (jaw, gills, stomach) and is not related to the use of barbed or barbless hooks. Because barbless hooks are an unnecessary restriction to achieve management and conservation goals, the Department is considering removing barbless hook restrictions in trout fisheries. Anglers could continue to voluntarily use barbless hooks if they desire. Would you support or oppose the elimination of mandatory barbless hook restrictions in Idaho trout fisheries?"
The preface of this question assumes that all hooks are created equally. By hooking fish after they swallow bait, gear anglers using barbless treble hooks have a much higher mortality incidence than single-hook artficial flies and lures. The survey question is poorly worded as it "baits" the person taking the survey. Single barbless hooks slide out of a fish's jaw much easier than barbed ones, there's no arguing that. Large, barbed hooks (single or treble) do damage to trout, particularly juvenilles.
The IDFG does a nice job of managing quality trout fisheries in the state. But they are very misguided if they think a sweeping regulation change to allow barbed hooks in all trout water is justifiable.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Trico's in October?
Had some amazing trico fishing last Saturday...and not on Eastern Oregon's brown trout tailwater. 70 degrees again this coming week. That's a little warmer than normal, but by now I'm usually searching for baetis. #22 trico spinners when the air temperture reaches the mid-60's will do.
Just about every hatch this year was delayed. Then when they got going, they've seemingly hung on longer. Facinating how nature is cyclical yet so unique each season.
Just about every hatch this year was delayed. Then when they got going, they've seemingly hung on longer. Facinating how nature is cyclical yet so unique each season.
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Missouri
Having Henry's Fork Foundation founder Mick Mickelson row my boat for two days didn’t hurt either.
If you want to test your dry fly ability and fish approaching skills, fish the Missouri in August. If you get there and need a bit of help, stop by and see the crew at Headhunters Flyshop.
Also, be sure to eat and drink at Izaak's. Hard-working staff, great food and riverside atmosphere.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
She Goes Down
Your drift boat if you hit a boulder with the broad side in swift current, that is.
There have been a couple wreckages on the South Fork of the Boise this month. If you've never rowed a river before and somebody tells you that the South Fork "is no problem", they're not being truthful. There are easier rivers to float in order to get the feel for handling a drift boat or pontoon. The river has a decent gradient, but there are no serious hazards in the upper stretch unless you either panic or are asleep. Below Cow Creek, there are some rock gardens above and below Pine Hole. And you need to line up on Pine Hole correctly to push through (there's a huge rock on the right - go left).
The best thing you can do is to practice on a mellow river or a lake, and take your first trip down the South Fork with somebody who has some experience.
Caddis, sallies, PMD's and baetis. If you're not fishing the Boise River in town after work right now, you're missing out. The high spring runoff has the wild rainbows healthy and strong, and the hatches are going off all at once.
There have been a couple wreckages on the South Fork of the Boise this month. If you've never rowed a river before and somebody tells you that the South Fork "is no problem", they're not being truthful. There are easier rivers to float in order to get the feel for handling a drift boat or pontoon. The river has a decent gradient, but there are no serious hazards in the upper stretch unless you either panic or are asleep. Below Cow Creek, there are some rock gardens above and below Pine Hole. And you need to line up on Pine Hole correctly to push through (there's a huge rock on the right - go left).
The best thing you can do is to practice on a mellow river or a lake, and take your first trip down the South Fork with somebody who has some experience.
Caddis, sallies, PMD's and baetis. If you're not fishing the Boise River in town after work right now, you're missing out. The high spring runoff has the wild rainbows healthy and strong, and the hatches are going off all at once.
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| Unique Spot Markings on a Wild Boise River Rainbow in Town |
Monday, June 27, 2011
No In-Town Fishing this Month
Have you ever failed at something that you have plenty of experience doing? Managing reservoir levels ultimately must come down to a bit of a guessing game.There are plenty of options for fishing right now. The Boise River in town is not one of them.
Got off to a good start this summer. I love the solstice.
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| 26" Rainbow (he did not eat a dry) |
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