Can do. We’re not really looking to bring in a trophy, but we’d like to be able to eat a lot of fish. For that reason pan fish or stocked trout would be good. That makes me think the little reservoirs would be a good option. I’m king of hoping to hear back from people who head up over memorial day and have input, too.
Having a cabin at McCall for 40 years, I know the area pretty well. My suggestions: Payette Lake for lake trout, but it is very technical. You really need to have a depth locator. Results can be impressive, however. Our last fish was 33 pounds (weighed and released), the biggest one we have caught since first fishing it in 1960. Cascade for trout, coho, kokanee, bass, and very nice perch this year–running up to 14". Horsethief, as already mentioned. Upper Payette for trout and splake, Brown’s Pond, Lost Valley Res. (just heard a report of good fishing for large trout), Hazard Lakes, Granite and Goose Lakes, and much more!!! PM me for more details, and check in at Tackle Toms for very good advice when you arrive in Cascade. Mike
I agree with Perry04. Horsethief. Recently planted 4,000 fish. 3rd year of carrovers since the lake was drained and killed off, so the fish will be a little bigger. Since you’re mobile on the water, I’d launch at the main ramp on the West side. Row North about 40 feet from shore in 16 feet of water. The East Side is productive on the edges of where the cove ends meet the main body of the lake. Good flies for me have been wolly buggers (all colors), Hares’ Ears, and stonefly nymphs. Never bait or hardware fished it.
Good Luck!
update to my last post 11,800 fish planted on the 24th. they also stocked the crap out of it last year.
find the stocking info on idaho fish and game website.
[indent]Thanks for the correction. My neighbor just this mjorning told me the 4,000 figure..I shpuld have checked
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no worries. either way thats alot of fish for that lake. seems they are trying to make it brown trout reservoir as well from looking through the stocking reports. its going to get hit hard there though this weekend. ive fished with rapalas and worm from the bottom at the dam with success.
Yes, happy bout the browns. We used to try and time them on the spawn. Around the cattails on West side. Later, we’d find them deep along the creek channel, 18-27 feet starting at the North campground all the way down the lake. Thats funny, I’ve never caught a fish by the dam from my tube on a fly, but then I always give the bank people plenty of space. Seen some nice stringers there though…
Looking over the fish and game website, looks like the Herrick was the one stocked w/ 4,000. I’ll have to go to Tom’s as I get in to figure where I’ll set up camp. I know the area up there is getting hit hard right now but I can’t imagine they’ll make a huge impact in those numbers.
Anyone know which, if any, of those reservoirs hold any pan fish?
Alright, ALMOST caught up on chores after being gone for several days. I’ve earned a break and thought I’d post my findings.
On a truly last minute decision, I didn’t leave until Saturday. Friday was supposed to be thunder storms and I had my end of (work) year party Friday night I kind of wanted to make. Thursday a buddy and I kayaked the snake from Celebration Park to Walter’s Ferry. As an after thought, I brought a pole. I halfheartedly fished as we made our way down and didn’t get a thing. Two places where edies and slow water combined to massive crud on the top of the water had at least a half dozen cat fish each feeding on the surface. Didn’t really have anything to get for cats, so I got a skunk instead.
Saturday we headed up towards Valley county, AMAZED at how much he Payette was flowing. We ended up camping on Herrick Res. Early afternoon got me nothing, late afternoon/ evening was GREAT on worms. I had a two pole permit and was on the kayak. I used worms and bobbers on one pole and various lures on the other. Towards the end, I’d cast the worm, put the pole in the holder, pick up the lure rod and have to grab the bobber in a hurry as that’s about how long it took to get on on the worms. All stocked fish that day, nothing too impressive, but delicious dinner. The next morning my buddy made it up. We were catching rainbows right and left. He caught one GORGEOUS natural fish. We were still having all our luck on worms, didn’t seem to be too interested in anything else. Just before lunch they completely shut down. After a couple more hours, we drove to Cascade lake to try there. We set up by the dam and, between high winds and HIGH water, didn’t have any luck there. We drove back to camp, the evening picked up just shy of dark, then died shortly after dark. Caught a couple more the next morning, then nothing. Still just biting on worms. My friend was shooting for fish for home, and had caught his limit, and wanted some variety. We decided to head off the mountain, down to the desert and walk into Halverson. I hadn’t been there since I was probably 8, and I think he was about the same. WOW, that place is gorgeous, especially in that setting. I caught two small small-mouth in about an hour on a smoke lure, my buddy caught a couple blue gill, one on a lure, the other an a lure and spin harness. The bass stayed in the pond, the blue gill went home with him for dinner. He had a sore back, I had a bunch of chores at home, and we decided to head back into town.
All in all, a great weekend. In most of my recent vacations, even if they were fun, I was always a little relieved to be back home. Not this one. The ride back consisted of talking about ideas of where to go next. Can’t figure out why I waited so long to get back into fishing.
Hey Kodiak1, I’m thinking about Lost Valley Reservoir, or Salmon Falls Creek. Hearing good things about both. What sort of report did you hear? I’m hearing of 3-4 lb Cuttbows @ Salmon Falls Creek Res. Lost Valley similar? If they are really that big, SFC sounds good, but it’s a long crappy drive. I have always wanted to fish both places, but never made it to either. Lost Valley looks nice, I’ll be float tubing and fly rodding. Anybody have experience flogging that lake with a fly line?
A friend of a friend fished S F a week ago in a boat, and couldn’t buy a fish trolling. Saw some people nailing them on shore, so started fishing coves with a worm on the bottom (anchored). Hammered 'em, including some lunkers. I’ve been to Lost Valley a few times, but never fished it. Seems they are always catching stunted perch there. But recently read on a site that primarily discusses Washington lakes, but has an Idaho site hardly anyone uses, a report from June last year. Fly fished the shallow end, and nailed some very large trout. Might be worth investigating. Used a Stayner. If you try it, let me know. Mike