Idaho Fly Fishing, Idaho Flyfishing Guides and Charters

Idaho is a wild, beautiful state with rugged mountains, deep canyons, rushing rivers, and plunging waterfalls. The state boasts some of the largest wilderness areas in the nation. Among all this pristine beauty are numerous clear, cold trout streams and lakes that provide great fly fishing opportunities. You’ll also find scores of Idaho fly fishing guides to help you in your pursuit.

Fly fishing in Idaho is very popular for trout and salmon. Trout include the rainbow, the brown, the brook, the cutthroat, the Dolly Varden, the golden, the Kamloops, the steelhead, and the lake trout. Salmon species in the state include the Atlantic, the Chinook, the kokanee, the sockeye, and the coho. With such a great selection of fish, you can see how Idaho is paradise for fly fishermen.

If you’re after salmon, you’ll find numerous lakes in Idaho to accommodate. Some of the best include Deadwood Reservoir, Priest Lake, Spirit Lake, Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, Redfish Lake, and Cascade Reservoir. Many Idaho fly fishing guides specialize in catching salmon on the fly, so you’ll find plenty of assistance.

Idaho Fly Fishing, Flyfishing Idaho Rivers, Lakes, and Streams

Big Creek, located in the Frank Church Wilderness Area, provides some great cutthroat trout action. This stream has plenty of deep pools, riffles, and a swift current. It also receives little fishing pressure. This rough stream is catch-and-release, so the trout are numerous and large.

The Lower Selway River is a wonderful place for novice fly fishermen to practice their skill. Big trout, gorgeous scenery, and a good mixture of open areas and wooded banks make this a great trout stream.

Big Wood River is a high desert trout stream that offers superb fly fishing. The upper section of the river is best for ‘bows, while the lower section is home to lots of brown trout. Most of the fish in the river measure just over a foot long, but what they lack in size, they make up in number.

The Coeur d’Alene River, in northern Idaho, is a great place to land cutthroats and rainbows. The upper section of the river provides excellent opportunities for wade fishing, with numerous large trout taken frequently.

The St. Joe River, also in northern Idaho, offers some fine fishing for cutthroat trout. The lower section of the stream has easy access, but the upper reaches require a hike. The advantage to this “wilder” part of the river is that it doesn’t receive as much fishing pressure.

Idaho also has several lakes and reservoirs with healthy trout populations. Some of these are Bear Lake, Hells Canyon Reservoir, Blackfoot Reservoir, Magic Reservoir, Lake Walcott, Mormon Reservoir, Mud Lake, and Hayden Lake.

Fly angling for trout in the state is somewhat of an art. If you’re not familiar with the trout streams and rivers, you can waste a lot of time and effort trying to locate a productive stream. Also, some of these streams can be dangerous. Your best option is to hire an experienced Idaho fly fishing guide who knows the streams well.