Oregon & Idaho Fly Fishing - August 2025

[ski3pin]

"I want to go fly fishing!" she said. I do my very best to make her happy. All five parts are completed and posted on our blog -

Oregon & Idaho Fly Fishing - August 2025 - Part One

Oregon & Idaho Fly Fishing - August 2025 - Part Two

Oregon & Idaho Fly Fishing - August 2025 - Part Three

Oregon & Idaho Fly Fishing - August 2025 - Part Four

Oregon & Idaho Fly Fishing - August 2025 - Part Five

Tight lines and watch your backcast. Fish on!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Wow they are some monster bulls.I have only "fished" for them in Bowman Lk Glacier NP.
No luck though.No big deal I didn't expect to see let alone catch one.But I did catch my
share of Arctic Grayling while visiting Denali NP both times. They are a treat to fish for.

I've used the actual act or the thinking of the act in my mind of being on the water fly fishing to
sooth the brain from "evil"thoughts.Works pretty good.Just close the eyes when possible
and picture yourself on the water with the fly stick casting/retrieving repeat.
It works wonders with the healing.
Anyway looks like the start of a great story.
Thanks
Frank

 

[Conestoga]

Sorry to hear about your broken rod. The good news is they don't get broken sitting home in an easy chair. Even though it wasn't on a fish, you were out doing what you love and have your new Winston to start making new memories.

Probably good to check with Oregon Fish &. Wildlife, but looks like you were probably fine fishing for Bull Trout on the Imnaha. While the no fishing for Bull Trout is a general rule, there appear to be some exceptions:

Imnaha River

The following apply to open sections below: *

• Open all year for trout.
• 5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
• Wild rainbow trout must be released.
• Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch May 1 - Aug 31.

* Mouth to Big Sheep Cr

• Catch-and-release for bull trout.
• Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
• Use of bait allowed.

* Above Big Sheep Cr. to Confluence of North and South Forks

• Catch-and-release for bull trout.

Tight lines.

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

Imnaha River
The following apply to open sections below: *

• 5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
• Wild rainbow trout must be released.

Do trout carry their birth certificates so that I can tell the difference? And if the 14th Amendment is struck down, will ICE deport the wild ones?

 

[Occidental]

Those are some impressive fish. My understanding of the regs in Oregon is you can't target bull trout, but if you happen to catch one fishing for other fish, it is catch and release only. A quick call to a ODFW fish biologist in a regional office should settle it.

Speaking of wilderness ethics, I had a first just a couple weeks ago in the Sawtooths. We were settled into our camp and had finished dinner. The sun had set and we were enjoying the light on the clouds. Then across the lake, three, yes three separate flashing lights strings from the camp across the lake lit up. It was party time. The lights continued to flash and loud noises continued to invade our tent well into the night. So much for wilderness ethics.

 

[ski3pin]

Those are some impressive fish. My understanding of the regs in Oregon is you can't target bull trout, but if you happen to catch one fishing for other fish, it is catch and release only. A quick call to a ODFW fish biologist in a regional office should settle it.

<snip>

That's the way I read it also. I also found the only places you can legally target bull trout is on the Metolius River and the Metolius arm of Lake Billy Chinook.

 

[Taku]

Wonderful fish and it is a bit of dilemma whether to fish for them. Going to some of the rivers in Canada is a good choice as the populations tend to be stronger. Nice that you figured it out! I once caught a smaller bull on Marsh Creek in Idaho. Had the streamer in the water but deep. Pulling it up right next to the bank in deep water and was watching. Then a huge mouth appeared underneath the streamer and wham! it was on! Will never forget the sight of that huge mouth on a modest sized fish taking that streamer.

 

[ski3pin]

Wonderful fish and it is a bit of dilemma whether to fish for them. Going to some of the rivers in Canada is a good choice as the populations tend to be stronger. Nice that you figured it out! I once caught a smaller bull on Marsh Creek in Idaho. Had the streamer in the water but deep. Pulling it up right next to the bank in deep water and was watching. Then a huge mouth appeared underneath the streamer and wham! it was on! Will never forget the sight of that huge mouth on a modest sized fish taking that streamer.

Possibly coming up in the story - fishing the North Fork of the Clearwater in Idaho. I was bringing a 13" or so Westslope Cutthroat into Julie's net. A big bull appeared, opened that huge maw, missed the cutt on the first pass, but the chase was on. Very memorable!

And, Marsh Creek will appear

 

[Occidental]

Possibly coming up in the story - fishing the North Fork of the Clearwater in Idaho. I was bringing a 13" or so Westslope Cutthroat into Julie's net. A big bull appeared, opened that huge maw, missed the cutt on the first pass, but the chase was on. Very memorable!

And, Marsh Creek will appear

Ok now you have me excited. The north fork is in our backyard and ranks up there as one of my favorite dry fly fishing spots. (don't tell anyone)

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Almost forgot to mention that it was great to see Donna out and about.
Frank

 

[ski3pin]

Part Two takes us into Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains. Here's the link to our blog -

Oregon & Idaho Fly Fishing - August 2025 - Part Two

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Nice fish, beautiful country! The 3Pins had a wonderful summer, thanks for letting us tag along!

 

[kmcintyre]

Great report and I've gone into the sawtooths many times but it's so overrun, I go elsewhere now BUT, it's a special place for sure if you can get away from the crowds. You guys are backpacking goats!

 

[goinoregon]

thx for the TR ski.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

What great Golden's. I didn't know they had a range out of California.
And the size seems big for a Golden. I guess there is more available food.
The only Golden I have ever caught was out of the eastern lake at Highland Lakes.
It was a small 10"er.
That was some great fishing part of the trip.
That sure is a crowded area. Wild people less areas are getting harder to locate.
Thanks fro taking the time fro posting the trip.
Frank

 

[ski3pin]

Continued progress. This chapter covers our adventures on the St. Joe River, the North Fork of the Clearwater, and Kelly Creek -

Oregon Idaho Fly Fishing - August 2025 - Part Three

"Be sure and fish that spot."

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Nice fish, great TR, thanks for sharing!

PS: I’m jealous of all those cutts you brought to net?

 

[Taku]

Glad you had a great (mostly) time on the rivers! while the St. Joe and Kelly Creek are just about 2.5 hours from me i have never fished them. Too many other places in between always seem to snag me before getting there - maybe next year! Yes the ATVs are very annoying. A month in Canada was so refreshing - i think we saw a total of 10 ATVs on trucks or trailers the whole time and none on the roads. The relative silence from not hearing them was great.

 

[Occidental]

I enjoyed this chapter. Yes the side by sides (we call them whip arounds) are ubiquitous in this part of the world. It's very common to see husband and wife in separate 3/4 ton trucks with one towing the travel trailer and the other towing the whip around heading to camp.

I suppose you didn't figure out the emergers the cuts were keyed in on? Sounds like a fun mystery to solve.

 

[ski3pin]

I enjoyed this chapter. Yes the side by sides (we call them whip arounds) are ubiquitous in this part of the world. It's very common to see husband and wife in separate 3/4 ton trucks with one towing the travel trailer and the other towing the whip around heading to camp.

I suppose you didn't figure out the emergers the cuts were keyed in on? Sounds like a fun mystery to solve.

No we didn't but is on the to do list.