Upcoming Events, November 30th, 2024

Our winter slate of Saturday Fly Tying Demos will begin on December 7^th. Paul Hoelscher is our guest tier that day. His fly tying bio follows. Paul has spent the last 10 years guiding, exploring, and mastering the fisheries of Southeast Idaho. He is a seasoned, patient, and successful teacher with a proven track record. Paul’s comprehensive knowledge of fish, insects, birds, wildlife, and flora enables his clients to enjoy every facet of the river. 

Paul is from Conway, Arkansas where he grew up fly fishing the White River system in the Ozark Mountains. Paul was fortunate to find his calling early in life–he’s been fanatical about catching fish since the age of 2. At age 11 Paul began fly fishing and tying his own flies. His summers in college were spent guiding and fishing Colorado, Montana, and Yellowstone National Park. Paul spent the last 10 years guiding at Henry’s Fork Angler’s, and now guides at the South Fork Lodge.

We are looking forward to have Paul showcase some of his “flies that work”! bring your fly tying notebook!

Tex Creek Project, August 24th, 2024

Hello

Tex Creek WMA needs our help with a stream restoration project. 

When

 August- 29^th & 30^th We will meet at the Idaho Falls IDFG office 8am and carpool out to Tex creek WMA .

 Who

We are looking for 10-14 willing and able volunteers. Come join the fun and help with this stream restoration project.

  What

This will be a fun habitat improvement project. It will be hard work and rewarding. We will be in and out of the stream repairing and maintaining existing structures as well as installing some new structures. 

 This work will include maintenance and possible construction of beaver dam analogues and post-assisted log structures that have been built over the past 2 seasons. 

This work is geared toward riparian restoration and overall system improvement to reduce sediment and temperature in Tex Creek to improve conditions for Yellowstone cutthroat and many other species. We are at base flow and will have very little water in the system except for beaver ponds which host cutthroat trout.

Bring lunch and be prepared to be out all day.  We can furnish gloves, waders, beverages, and tools. Dress for the weather

Let me know if you can help and which day!

Thanks

Gerren B. Steel

Volunteer Services Coordinator

Idaho Department of Fish & Game

Work: 208-535-8039

Cell: 208-850-7576

[email protected]

Upcoming Events, June 5th, 2024

Anglers: You have until June 10 to comment on proposed fishing rules changes for 2025 through 2027

Commission is scheduled to set the upcoming seasons and rules on July 23-24

After sifting through dozens of suggestions from anglers, Idaho Fish and Game biologists – with approval from the Fish and Game Commission – are presenting the proposed fishing seasons and rules changes for the 2025-27 fishing seasons. Anglers have until 6 p.m. on June 10, MDT to provide comments, which can be done on the public comment webpage. 

After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for consideration at the July 23-24 meeting in Pocatello. 

Only one statewide change is being considered, which is lowering the bag limit for whitefish from 25 to 10 unless otherwise noted in the regulations. 

There are proposed changes for each region except the Salmon Region. Anglers are encouraged to comment on these proposals to help Fish and Game staff and the Commission to gauge their preferences. See all the proposals at https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/seasons. 

The Johnny Boyd Memorial Carp Classic Tournament.

The Johnny Boyd Memorial Carp Classic Tournament on Blackfoot River Reservoir is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 7th and 8th.

Upcoming Events, May 24th, 2024

Island Park Reservoir

This weekend begins the unofficial beginning of the recreation season. It;s tough to say the beginning of summer with snow happening in Island Park, Teton Valley, and other high country places! Nevertheless, it is time to get rid of cabin fever, so let’s take a look at places for doing so that are adjacent to great places to fish.

First, and likely most popular, is the Island Park area. The Ashton Ranger District Ranger Office relates that all developed campgrounds are open excepting Cave Falls and Big Springs will be open. Such popular ones including Buffalo River, Coffee Pot (upper), McRea Bridge, Riverside, and Warm River will be well populated but are right on great fishing water. Beware that cold weather will be had in each, so have the means to stay warm and dry.

In Teton Basin, all streams are high and discolored with run-off. On Henry’s Lake, the State Park and Bill Fromm County Boat Dock and Campground will be open, But for most of the weekend, the lake will be at its most dangerous because of high winds, likely snow showers, and cold air temperatures.

The Palisades District Ranger Station reports that the Calamity Boat Dock and Campground is closed because the Bear Creek Road coming to it is only temporary and not open to vehicles hauling trailers. An alternative is the Elk Creek Campground which includes a boat dock and well maintained campsites. Elk Creek is high with runoff, but fishing in Elk Creek Arm of the reservoir can be productive. Venture your boat beyond the discolored water coming in from the creek to find fishing action using leech, woolly bugger and streamer patterns. The campgrounds (Blowout, McCoy Creek) along the shoreline of Palisades Reservoir have boat docks that can be used to access creek mouths were some fishing can be found. Even though flow in the South Fork has been constant for several days, better fishing conditions are on the horizon. Try streamer, woolly bugger and rubber leg patterns if you wish to give it a try.

The Forest Service and Bureau of Land management ask that travelers stay off back country roads until they dry out to easily passable shape. The condition of such roads can be determined by contacting respective offices of each agency. These agencies also request that visitors be ” Bear Aware”‘ when visiting anywhere on their land.