Fishing Reports

Today at Jimmy’s, April 4, 2020

This notice came into Jimmy’s this morning:

Nonresident licenses, permits, and tags sales temporarily suspended by F&G Commission.

At their April 4 meeting, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted a rule that temporarily suspends the sale of several types of nonresident fishing and hunting licenses, tags, and permits.  The action is effective immediately and lasts until the rule is repealed consistent with relevant state of Idaho public health orders.

The Commission found this rule-making supportive of the protection of public health consistent with the March 25 Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Order to Self-Isolate for the State of Idaho in response to COVID-19. https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/statewide-stay-home-order/

Fishing and hunting licenses, tags, and permits purchased by nonresidents prior to the April 4 Commission action are still valid for existing hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons, which remain in effect.

Nonresident hunting licenses along with currently available nonresident deer and elk tags are not included in the suspension. Nonresidents who purchase a 2020 hunting license may still apply for controlled hunts that will occur this fall.

The Commission action does not affect Idaho residents and there are no new limitations on resident purchase of licenses, tags, and permits or any changes to existing seasons.

Full story and more details: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/nonresident-licenses-permits-and-tags-sales-temporarily-suspended-fg-commission

Today at Jimmy’s, March 31st, 2020

The last day of March, and most public agencies are now recommending that outdoor activities, fishing included, are safe to enjoy during these uncertain times because they enhance social distancing. Fly-fishers always prefer social distancing when on the water, and none of us likes to be within six feet of each other (excepting when boating), especially during casting actions!    Also the further we separate from our fellow fly-fishers while on the water, the better the “one that got away” stories become!  So getting out to the water can be a great and safe way the relieve the boredom of being cooped up.

With springtime advancing, more water is becoming approachable. The lower Henry’s Fork is losing stream-side ice and snow each day. BWOs, midges and the beginnings of March brown mayflies make for active top water fishing.  Streamers and any pattern imitating a stonefly nymph bring action if you prefer to fish deeper.  On the South Fork boat ramps are opening up, flow out of Palisades Dam has been near constant for about a week, midges remain active making fishing adjacent to riffles and runs productive, and streamers and fly patterns imitating a stonefly nymph can bring action.  Nearby still waters such a Springfield Reservoir and Jim Moore Pond offer midge activity and nymphing for boating fly fishers.  It is catch and release season on many streams, so consulting 2020 fishing regulations can reveal which can be fished now or when roads open up.   Such as lower Fall and Warm Rivers, the main stem Snake River, Willow Creek (but not its tributaries), the Dry Beds, and the Big Lost River from Mackay Dam downstream are candidates.  We can provide information on fishing all of these, and we welcome you to get in touch for information on any of these and other waters.

Today at Jimmy’s March 28th, 2020

Governor Little’s confinement order is for good reason. Yes, “hunkering down” is trying, especially with springtime emerging.  But for many fly-fishers there are activities that can help occupy these times.  Fly tying, rod building, getting equipment cleaned and in shape for the upcoming season, all can help. As the chalk board  at our front door says,  we are open in the same manner as a restaurant offering take-out services.  You can use our take out service in the following manner:

Call us, 208-524-7160, or 208-497-1356 (calling is more efficient than texting or email) with an order of what you wish to purchase.  We will assemble that order and offer a time to come to our front door, 275 A Street, downtown Idaho Falls, for  pick-up.  OR we can deliver your order FREE OF CHARGE, Idaho Falls to Rexburg daily and to Pocatello weekly.

We will continue to offer fishing information.  Get in touch with us and watch our web site fishing report for information on what is happening on area waters.  Consider that going fishing gets you away from crowds.