Idaho Fishing Regulations will stay the same in 2010

The Idaho Fish and Game will use the same regulations in 2010 that were used in 2009. You can download the regulations here. This means that for most Idaho streams and rivers, fishing will open on May 29, 2010 (Memorial Day weekend). The Blackfoot River in Idaho will open July 1, 2010 to protect the spawning cutthroats.

Upper Snake River Reservoir Status

Currently reservoirs on the Upper Snake River are holding 76% of their capacity. So far this is the best news for water this coming year, but only for tailwater fishing. The storms over the last week have increased snow pack in Southeastern Idaho but we are still in need of significant snow over the next two months for normal water flow in rivers and streams.

Here's the graph, which does not include any information on the Blackfoot Reservoir on the Blackfoot River:

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Fishery Plan

Back in 2007 the Idaho Fish and Game developed a plan for the management and conservation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Of specific note,the Blackfoot River had 4,747 fish run upriver to spawn in 2001. In 2005 and 2006 there were 20 spawners each year. The pelican situation definitely does not help - their population has doubled since 2001. 2009 seemed a better year as the fish size and quantity of larger fish was higher in the upper Blackfoot River, but the river has a long way to go to get back to the peak runs in the 50's (10-15,000). Cutthroat trout populations have been impacted in many other streams and rivers in Eastern Idaho.

Make sure to carry a net with you to land and release larger cutthroat trout as soon as possible to help prevent mortality rates!

The entire management plan can be found at the Idaho Fish and Game site here: Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout.

Blackfoot River Water Outlook

Here is the current precipitation information for Somsen Ranch measuring station which is fairly representative of the Blackfoot River drainage:

SOMSEN RANCH SNOTEL Data Report - Daily Readings

Basin: Blackfoot (HUC 17040207)    Elevation: 6800.00

(As of: Thu Jan 21 12:58:54 PST 2010)

Date	Time (PST)	Snow Water Equivalent (inches)	Snow Depth (inches)	Year-to-Date Precipitation (inches)	Current Temp (degrees F)	Previous Day's Temp (degrees F)
						Max	Min	Avg
01/15/2010	0000	3.8	19.0	6.7	18.7	32.4	17.6	27.3
01/16/2010	0000	3.8	19.0	6.7	23.9	38.1	8.8	22.8
01/17/2010	0000	3.8	19.0	6.7	30.9	42.4	18.1	29.8
01/18/2010	0000	3.8	19.0	6.7	29.1	43.9	18.7	29.1
01/19/2010	0000	4.0	20.0	6.9	32.5	35.2	25.7	30.2
01/20/2010	0000	4.3	23.0	7.1	19.9	35.8	18.5	28.8
01/21/2010	0000	4.3	23.0	7.1	21.7	33.3	17.2	24.3
Date	Time (PST)	Snow Water Equivalent (inches)	Snow Depth (inches)	Year-to-Date Precipitation (inches)	Current Temp (degrees F)	Max	Min	Avg
						Previous Day's Temp (degrees F)

Current Snow Water Equivalent for Southeast Idaho

More bad news for Southeast Idaho Fishing this coming year: snow water equivalent is extremely low. Snow water equivalent is essential for good spring runoff and long term water conditions. Without a much higher snow water equivalent, Southeastern Idaho streams and rivers are going to suffer this summer as will the fly fishing. The Blackfoot River drainage is only at 45% which is not a good sign for summer fishing. Hopefully the next three months can bring a significant increase in snow pack.

Here is the current snow water equivalent information (courtesy of Idaho Snow Survey):

Basin	Snow Water Equivalent Percent of Average
LITTLE LOST, BIRCH BASINS	71%
MEDICINE LODGE, BEAVER, CAMAS BASINS	56%
HENRYS FORK, TETON BASINS	57%
SNAKE BASIN ABOVE PALISADES	54%
WILLOW, BLACKFOOT, PORTNEUF BASINS	45%
SNAKE BASIN ABOVE AMERICAN FALLS	54%
BEAR RIVER BASIN	48%

Legend:

<70%

70-90%

91-110%

111-130%

>130%

More Bull Trout protections coming for Idaho streams and rivers

It looks like that Bull Trout in Idaho may get some additional protection which will be a huge step in protecting Idaho's trout species. Bull trout habitat preservation will benefit other native fish: steelhead, salmon, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout. Any habitat protection is great for Idaho Fly Fishing.

"In another reversal of Bush administration Endangered Species Act policy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to expand habitat protections for the bull trout, a fish that stands in the way of logging, mining and grazing on federal lands.The agency Wednesday formally proposed designating 23,000 miles of streams and 533,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Nevada as critical habitat."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010781395_aporbulltrouthabitat.html?syndication=rss

Stump Creek Idaho - Sunset

Here's a picture of the sun setting on Stump Creek in Eastern Idaho. Stump peak is in the distant background.

Idaho Water Conditions for Spring

So far this winter has been a major disappointment in regards to precipitation and snow pack. If something doesn't turn around soon, there will be little runoff and water flow will be really low. This is especially bad news for the Blackfoot River which needs significant snow pack and runoff to help the spawning cutthroat. Without a strong water flow the larger trout won't hold in the river making fishing on the upper Blackfoot questionable at best.

Here are the current precipitation totals for Eastern and Southeastern Idaho (credit to the Idaho Snow Survey):

As of THURSDAY: JANUARY 14 , 2010

Basin	Year-to-Date Precipitation Percent of Average
HENRYS FORK, TETON BASINS	66%
SNAKE BASIN ABOVE PALISADES	63%
WILLOW, BLACKFOOT, PORTNEUF BASINS	61%
SNAKE BASIN ABOVE AMERICAN FALLS	64%
BEAR RIVER BASIN	62%

Legend:

<70%

70-90%

91-110%

111-130%

>130%

Best Flies for Idaho 4 - Parahopper - a Blackfoot River Must Have for July-September

Materials:

• Hook: 2x long dry fly hook like Tiemco 2312, size 6-14
• Body & Thorax: Tan Superfine or other dry fly dubbing
  
• Wing: Turkey Tail treated with flexible cement
• Legs: Pheasant Tail fibers, knotted. (1 on each side)
• Parachute Post: White Poly Yarn
• Hackle: Grizzly Saddle Hackle

For the Blackfoot River, a gray body and thorax is the best - sizes 6 & 8. For smaller Idaho streams (Tincup, Stump Creek, Upper Warm River, Moose Creek, etc.) carry some size 14 hoppers during the summer months and you'll likley catch 40-50 fish (6-12") in a few hours. The larger hoppers rarely hook any of these smaller fish even though they will try like crazy to take the fly.

I am still working on a better thorax/body that will allow the fly to remain on the surface when fished with a dropper. This pattern after a few casts tends to sink when fished with a dropper even when floatant is used. Anybody have any ideas or success stories on keeping the hopper on the surface? Let me know if you do.

Enjoy the last few weeks of fishing - if you enjoy wading through 6 inches of snow and battling sub-freezing conditions!

Best Flies for Idaho 3 - Bead Head Hares Ear

Materials:

Hook:# 8-18 heavy nymph
Bead: 1/8-5/64th gold bead depending on hook size
Thread: Red 6/0 uni thread
Tail: Guard hairs from Hares mask or ear
Rib: Small gold Ultra wire
Abdomen: Hares ear plus dubbing (natural Hares –ear)
Wing case: Turkey tail feather
Thorax: Hares ear plus dubbing (natural Hares-ear)

A bead head hare's ear is a must have for any Idaho fly box. It imitates most nymph patterns and works as a prime dropper pattern off a hopper, terrestrials, wooly worms, etc. Fish will often pass the top fly only to hit the dropper hare's ear as it passes. I recommend keeping at least 8 of these in your box with sizes between 12-18 (mostly in the 14-16 range).

Good luck with your fishing!

Best flies for Idaho 2 - Adams

Hook: Size #10-#20 (or any standard dry fly hook)
Thread: Grey or black 8/0
Wing: Grizzly hackle tips (hen)
Tail: Hackle fibers~grizzly/brown/grizzly
Abdomen: Muskrat underfur
Hackle: Grizzly and Brown (rooster/neck)

The Adams is great overall mayfly imitation that works just about any time of the year when there is a mayfly hatch. All trout varieties in Idaho will take the Adams. Sizes 16 and 18 seem to the most common sizes for most Idaho streams.

Best Flies for Idaho - Muddler Minnow

Hook: Size 2-10
Bead: Brass bead head sized to fit (can be tied without a bead but the weight is nice)
Weight: 6-10 wraps of lead wire
Thread: Tan 8/0
Tail: Mottled turkey wing
Body: Flat silver tinsel
Under wing: Grey squirrel tail hair, orange Marabou, pearl Krystal Flash (in order)
Wing: Mottled turkey wing, paired
Head/Collar: Spun deer hair (natural color), trimmed cone head style)

The Muddler Minnow is a great all around streamer for most Idaho streams and rivers. The Muddler is especially effective in the Salmon River Drainage when fishing for trout (i.e. 24+ inch Bull Trout). I have also caught fish in the Snake River Drainage on Muddler Minnows.

September Diversions

Like just about every September, I have been diverted from fly fishing during a great fly fishing month to pursue the rocky mountain elk across the headwaters of the Blackfoot River. Since the rut had not started, the hunting was subpar, although I did see 10 cows/calves the two days I spent hunting. I did take a little diversion to test one of the small streams for fish - I snagged a hopper and threw it into a fish worthy hole - alas I did not see any activity and lost sight of the hopper quicker than I hoped. It was a beautiful weekend and I look forward to more September days in the woods and streams. Good luck with the fishing.

McTucker Ponds Pictures

Here are some pictures from our day fishing at McTucker Ponds:

Thomas and a monster bluegill

Thomas' First Cast

Sara and smallmouth bass

Maren proudly displaying yet another bluegill

Maren and another monster bluegill

McTucker Ponds

On Saturday I took my two children (5 and 2) to McTucker Ponds out by Springfield Idaho. At the first pond I caught a couple of fish - two bluegill - one was a whopping 4" and the other 6" inches. We then switched ponds and my 5 year old daughter was the star of the day. With her barbie fishing pole, a clear bubble, and a bead head prince nymph she started catching fish like crazy. She caught 20+ fish which was fun to see. They were all small bluegill (4-6") but it was a great time. Pretty much every cast she was reeling in another fish.

The hot flies for these "monster" gills were black bead head woolly worms and bead head prince nymphs.

McTucker Ponds is a great place for little children to fish especially if you actually want to catch fish. They may not be huge but it will be fun.

Blackfoot River - August 6, 2009

The fishing was a little slow on the Blackfoot mostly because the wind was ripping and it was difficult to set the hook when the wind was dragging your fly line across the water. We still caught caught a few fish but only netted one 19" cutthroat. I had about 10 18+ inch trout on momentarily but ended up losing most of them. Keeping my fly line with enough tension to set the hook properly was difficult with the wind. Still a great day of fishing!

Blackfoot River - Fox Hills Ranch

Here are two maps for the Fox Hills Ranch, opened for fishing access by Monsanto. For more info visit the Idaho Fish and Game website, Access Yes program at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/accessyes.aspx?id=837

Blackfoot River access - Monsanto Opens Fox Hills Ranch to Public Fishing

I emailed Monsanto regarding the Blackfoot River access at what is called the Fox Hills Ranch. Here is the information that I was provided by Bob Pierce:

Monsanto Opens Fox Hills Ranch to Public Fishing
Once Closed Eight Mile Section of Upper Blackfoot Now Open to Anglers

Soda Springs, ID (August 5, 2009) - The public may now fish over eight
miles of the upper Blackfoot River that has been closed for nearly a
decade. The opening was announced by Monsanto Company in Soda Springs.
The company recently purchased the Fox Hills Ranch, a 2200-acre property
bounding the Blackfoot River both to the north and south as it leaves
the highlands and empties toward the Blackfoot Reservoir.

"Keeping this property from subdivision and high-end real estate
development was our primary reason in purchasing it," noted Dave
Farnsworth, Minerals Lead for Monsanto. "But we're pleased to be able
to increase the public's access for recreational fishing opportunities."
Access to the Blackfoot River through Monsanto's Fox Hills Ranch is
limited to foot traffic and drift boats, but those boating or floating
should be cautious about cross-stream fences.

Farnsworth credited the Idaho Fish and Game Department for a
program that makes this opening possible. "Fish and Game's 'Access
Yes!' program provides a much needed framework for granting the public
access to private property. We are very grateful to them for approving
our application so as to make fishing opportunities available this
season."

Access Yes! is an Idaho Fish and Game program designed to
improve sportsmen's access to private land. Cooperating land owners can
be compensated under the program, although Monsanto has declined to
receive any money. "The fact that Fish and Game will provide oversight
and enforcement of their own rules through this stretch of the river is
payment enough," said Farnsworth.

He concluded, "We merely ask the public to respect the
property so that other anglers can enjoy it as well."


Road directions from Soda Springs:

Travel north out of the City of Soda Springs, Idaho, on US Highway 34
going toward Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for 7.8 miles to the intersection
with the "Blackfoot River Road." Turn right onto the Blackfoot River
Road. The first bridge will cross the Blackfoot River. Continue
traveling 2 miles. The ranch property on the right will be the Fox
Hills Ranch, with the Blackfoot River running through it and clearly
visible from the road.

Thank you to Bob Peirce (bob.peirce@monsanto.com) for this information and to Monsanto to allowing access to this property. Remember to respect the property, don't leave trash, and enjoy the fishing.

Beadhead Hare's Ear

This is the pattern that was killer on the Blackfoot River earlier this year. All the 14"+ fish were taking this fly like crazy. They were hitting the fly at the end of the run when the fly hit the end of the fly line and there was tension on the line - essentially when the fly was floating in the whole for a few seconds. Here's the detailed info:

HOOK: 5262 or 3761, sizes 8-18 (Size 14-16 was tops on the Blackfoot)
THREAD: Brown or black
TAIL: Hares mask guard hairs or fibers clipped from a squirrel or rabbit Zonker Strip
RIB: Gold mylar tinsel or copper wire
ABDOMEN: Blended hares ear; keep it thin
WINGCASE: Turkey tail coated with Flexament
THORAX: Same as abdomen. After tying, pick out a few hairs so they look like legs

Variations:

The Hares Ear can be tied weighted or unweighted. Dark brown is the most productive body color; dark olive and tan can also work well, but be sure to compare the color of wet dubbing to the natural (and wet) insect.

Monsanto Opens Section of Blackfoot River

Here is a little news tidbit for the Blackfoot River:

Monsanto opens Blackfoot River in Idaho to anglers

by The Associated Press

Tuesday July 21, 2009, 7:30 AM

SODA SPRINGS, Idaho -- Eight miles of the upper Blackfoot River will be opened to anglers after nearly a decade.

The Monsanto Co. in Soda Springs recently purchased the Fox Hills Ranch, a 2,200-acre property bounding the river, and announced it would increase public access for fishing. Dave Farnsworth with Monsanto said the company primarily wanted to keep the land from being subdivided. Access will be limited to foot traffic and drift boats.

-- The Associated Press

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/07/monsanto_opens_blackfoot_river.html