Fly Fishing – Hooked on Southwest Idaho

Cast Your Net Wide

Southwest Idaho offers a variety of fly fishing experiences. Whether you like to fish warm water or cold, whether you’re a dry fly aficionado or a streamer fanatic, you’ll find your perfect fishing hole in Southwest Idaho. From mountain streams and warm reservoirs, to remote challenging rapids and urban tailwater fisheries, you’re sure to discover the fishing adventure that’s right for you.

Urban Catches: From Hotel to Hotspot

Looking for an accessible fishing hole? The Boise River runs right through downtown Boise. Walk from your hotel to the river’s edge and stop for a beer on your way back. The Greenbelt extends past town in both directions providing ample river access to this tailwater fishery. When the access is this good, it’s only natural to cast your luck after work. Or make a full day of it! There’s plenty of fish in the river. And it’s fishable year-round.

Pro Tip: Make sure to pack layers. Southwest Idaho’s weather can shift rapidly. Be prepared for changing conditions!

Tackle the Wild Frontier

Want to escape the city? Retreat to a secluded mountain stream. Try to tackle the technical South Fork of the Boise River. The challenging currents create homes for healthy populations of rainbow and bull trout. This picturesque setting offers abundant fish in a truly iconic location. 

Try a trek into the backcountry where the Owyhee River boasts a top brown trout fishery, as well as healthy populations of rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. The pristine water mixed with unforgettable scenery makes for a perfect day for the adventurous angler.

Double Dip

Southwest Idaho is also home to one of the most diverse warm water fisheries in the Pacific Northwest: Brownlee Reservoir. Anglers can catch smallmouth bass, trophy-sized rainbow trout, and more. Pair your visit to Brownlee with a jetboat trip down Hells Canyon, where you can swap to heavy tackle for a day of sturgeon fishing.  

Your Perfect Catch: What You’ll Find in Southwest Idaho waters

There are plenty of fun catches including rainbow trout, brown trout, bull trout, and salmon. You might even snag a steelhead, a native rainbow trout who, like salmon, migrates to the ocean. They return to their home rivers as adults to spawn. They travel up to 900 miles and climb over a mile in elevation during their lifetimes. Steelheads are powerful fish. Anglers should be ready for an epic fight!

Cutthroat are another unique catch. These trout are named for the striking red slash under their jaw. They are Idaho’s state fish. Only found in cold, clear, and clean water, the cutthroat’s abundance in Idaho is a testament to the pristine, wild water.

Pro Tip: Contact a local fly shop to learn what hatches are active when you plan to fish. They can help you select flies, and make sure you are in compliance with local fishing regulations for the waterways you plan to fish.

Whether you’re a novice or an expert, Southwest Idaho has the right challenge for you. You can toss dry flies all day or go below the surface. You can stay urban or get remote. You can have an adventure shore fishing or floating on your own, or you can go on an unforgettable guided experience. Whatever you’re chasing trout, salmon, or something else entirely, Southwest Idaho will deliver on your fly fishing dream!