Idaho Angler Fishing Report
Fishing Report - October 18, 2025
General ConditionsFall fishing has been beautiful across Idaho, and we’ve been enjoying the ideal seasonal weather while it lasts. Flows have receded on many tailwaters, concentrating fish and improving accessibility for wading anglers—especially along the Boise River in town. October marks the start of brown trout spawning season, so please be cautious when wading near redds. Steelhead fishing is picking up on the Clearwater and Salmon Rivers, making this a great time to swing for one of Idaho’s most prized fish. With cooling water temperatures and active trout, now is the perfect time to get out and fish. Idaho Angler has everything you need to make the most of your next adventure. Boise River – In TownFlows have dropped below 300 CFS and will remain low for the rest of the season. Streamer fishing has been productive as pre-spawn browns and larger rainbows feed aggressively ahead of winter. Crayfish and sculpin imitations are working best, but don’t hesitate to throw larger streamers. For higher numbers of fish, nymphing is most effective—both Euro and indicator setups are producing well. Fish two flies in-line: a heavier beaded attractor nymph up top and a smaller midge or mayfly pattern trailing behind to imitate what trout are keying on. Fly Selection: #20–22 Tungsten Split Case BWO, #14–20 Tungsten FB Pheasant Tail, #14–18 Hare’s Ear, #16–20 Copper John, #16–18 Rosa Red Tag, #16–18 Blowtorch, #18–22 Zebra Midge, #18–20 BH Thorax Emerger BWO, Sculpzilla #4, #6 Mini Dungeon (Olive, White, Natural), #6 Mud Bug. Owyhee RiverFlows have dropped to around 30 CFS. With brown trout actively spawning, we recommend avoiding the Owyhee for now to protect these fish. If you do fish it, target deeper, slower holes that aren’t used for spawning grounds. Light nymph rigs or small streamers are most effective, expect small midges and BWOs to be the main food sources. Fly Selection: #20–22 Zebra Midge, #20–22 Demon Midge, #20–22 Split Case BWO, #20–22 Hackle Stacker BWO, #18 Para Ant (Black/Red), #18–20 BH Thorax Emerger BWO. South Fork Boise RiverWe have heard a mixed bag of reports coming out of the South Fork of the Boise River but one thing remains consistent: large trout. Flows remain at 300 CFS which make this optimal for wading. Hatches have been all over the board, you'll mainly want to focus on smaller mayfly patterns such as BWO and Baetis. However, we have heard several reports of PMDs still lingering and hatching when the conditions align. Anglers have had success on pinks, midges, and caddis as well. Fly Selection: #16-18 Pink Hackle Stacker, #18 Stacked Hackle Callibaetis #14–16 Blowtorch, #16–18 Spanish Bullet, #6–8 Restless Stone, #14 Rosa Red Tag, #12–14 Frenchie, #8–10 Elk Hair Caddis (Orange), #8–10 Burkus October Caddis, #14–16 Corn Fed Caddis, #18–20 Last Chance Cripple BWO. Silver CreekSilver Creek continues to fish well this fall with plenty of hatches that you can zero in on. While the larger bugs are gone, BWOs and Baetis are still active, and midges remain a year-round staple. Cloudy days provide the best hatch activity. Smaller ants and beetles will still produce if hatches are minimal. Brown trout are spawning—please avoid wading near redds or targeting spawning fish. Fly Selection: #16–20 CDC Biot Dun Mahogany, #18–20 Biot Comparadun Mahogany, #16 King Splitsville Spinner, #14–16 Spent Ant (Black), #20–22 Zebra Midge. Snake RiverThe Snake has provided steady Smallmouth Bass action this fall. As temperatures drop, bass are holding deeper—weighted streamers or indicator rigs work best. Balanced leeches under an indicator continue to produce consistently. Fly Selection: #10–12 Balanced Leech (Black/Brown), #10 Beadbelly Leech (Olive), #8–10 Woolly Bugger, #8 Zonker Minnow (Yellow, Olive, White), #8 Sculpzilla (Olive, White, Natural), #4 Bass Poppers, #4 PJ Skater Popper, Galloup’s Sex Dungeon (Olive, Yellow, White). SteelheadSteelhead are showing up in strong numbers on the Clearwater and Salmon Rivers. Now is the time to chase the “fish of a thousand casts.” Fishermen have had success on skater patterns, targeting surfacing steelhead. Swinging traditional patterns has also been producing. Be prepared with proper gear, including spey rods, sink tips, and warm layers for long days on the water. Idaho Angler carries a full selection of steelhead flies—from skaters and traditional patterns to egg imitations perfect for indicator setups. Stop by our Boise shop or visit our online store to gear up for your next steelhead trip. StillwaterStillwater fishing has been variable due to fluctuating temperatures and lower water levels, but trout are still going to be feeding heavily before winter. Higher elevation lakes are now fishable from shore, while lower lakes often require a boat or raft to reach deeper, weed-free zones. Chironomid hatches are strong—fish them under an indicator or strip slowly on a sinking line. Balanced leeches and streamers imitating baitfish are highly effective. Duck Valley: Fishing has been tougher this fall with heavy weeds and pelican activity, but trout are still cruising weed beds. Stripping leeches and woolly buggers has been most productive. Pyramid Lake: The 2025–2026 season has kicked off a BANG, with many fish caught over 15 pounds. Lahontan Cutthroat are aggressively feeding on baitfish, making it a great time for float tube or raft fishing with large streamers or jigs. The lake is currently turning over, so surface algae may appear, but fishing remains excellent. Shore fishing should pick up by early November with balanced leeches fished under an indicator. It is in your best interest to carry a good selection of chironomids on days where leeches aren't doing the trick. Idaho Angler has a brand new selection of expertly tied chironomids that are known to produce at Pyramid as well as most other lakes!
Fishing Report - October 3, 2025
Fall has settled in, bringing improving fishing conditions across the state. Trout fishing in our local tailwaters (Boise River In-Town, South Fork Boise River, Owyhee River) continues to get better with cooler water temperatures and dropping flows. With Brown Trout spawning season approaching, please use caution when wading through shallow riffles and gravel bars, as this is where redds are forming. While fish are in the late pre-spawn stage, they’ll often key in on larger offerings such as streamers, crayfish, and leeches. Steelhead season is here to stay and we are ecstatic about the conditions that we are seeing this year!
Fishing Report - September 15, 2025
Summer heat is finally tapering off, and cool fall weather is bringing prime fishing conditions across the region. From here on out, expect fishing to steadily improve as water temperatures continue to drop. Early mornings and evenings remain the most productive times for targeting trout, with receding flows helping to concentrate fish in riffles and tail-outs.
Fishing Report - August 31, 2025
General Conditions: With school back in session and late-summer smoke lingering in the air, we’re beginning to look ahead to cooler days. As major summer hatches taper off, anglers are now finding trout keyed in on smaller insects across Southern Idaho. The most productive fishing continues to be during the mornings and evenings when water temperatures are lower. Be sure to monitor stream temps mid-day — once water exceeds 65–68°F, keep fish in the water during release and consider shifting your efforts to later in the evening for the health of the fishery. Local Tailwaters (Owyhee River , Boise River-In Town, South Fork Boise River) Nymphing continues to be the most reliable approach as we move into late summer. Heavier beaded nymphs such as Blowtorches, Duracells, and Jigged Hare’s Ears fished under an indicator, paired with smaller imitative patterns, are producing well. Effective trailers include #20–22 Zebra Midges, #18–20 Split Case BWOs, #18–20 Slim Shadys, #18-20 Rainbow Warriors, and Rubber Legs (SFB only). Adding split shot helps get flies into the primary feeding zone. For those looking to fish dries, expect Trico activity in the mornings along with sporadic caddis and smaller mayfly spinner falls in the evenings. Keep an eye out for Pink Cahills, BWOs, and Baetis. Hopper fishing should remain an option for a few more weeks, and October Caddis are just around the corner — now is a great time to stock up. Snake River Bass fishing on the Snake River continues to be productive throughout the summer months. Fly anglers can expect plenty of action by targeting aggressive smallmouth and largemouth bass with poppers, mouse patterns, and streamers. Carp fishing is also an excellent option right now. For those missing the thrill of bonefish, Idaho’s carp offer a challenging and rewarding alternative. These wary fish demand stealth and precision—delicate presentations with dries, leeches, or specialized carp flies will significantly improve your chances. With fish commonly exceeding 20 pounds, carp provide one of the most exciting and underrated freshwater fly-fishing opportunities in the region. Stillwater We’re approaching the transition back into productive lake fishing. Warm summer conditions, algae blooms, and deep-holding trout make most lakes challenging right now, but opportunities will improve with cooler weather. Alpine lakes remain a strong option for late-summer trout fishing — a great way to escape the heat while exploring Idaho’s backcountry. Make sure to carry a variety of Woolly Buggers, hoppers, Parachute Adams, Purple Haze, chironomids, and balanced leeches. Duck Valley and other regional lakes will soon turn on for exceptional early fall fishing. Be sure to stock up on leeches and chironomids, and watch for our updated chironomid selection arriving at Idaho Angler this fall. Steelhead Steelhead season is here for some and quickly approaching for others. Passage numbers look promising for the fall and winter. Stop by Idaho Angler and shop our brand-new selection of expertly tied Steelhead flies by Dave Tucker and get geared up for the season ahead. Check out our selection of Spey Rods, Reels, and Lines and ensure you are prepared to find that "fish of 1,000 casts" Additional Notes: Welcome to our new online home! We will be updating our fishing reports bi-weekly so that you have the most up-to-date information on our local waters. We encourage you to visit our NEW online store. If you are a local to the Treasure Valley, you will now have the option to buy online, and pick up in store. If you wish to have your items shipped to you, you can count on a speedy delivery!