Category Archives: Idaho

Bull Trout on The Dry Fly

I’ve often wondered why more people don’t fish bull trout with dry flies. I’m not talking about dainty PMDs and micro caddis. Instead, I’m visualizing terrestrials—ants, beetles and hoppers. And a recent article from Idaho Department of Fish and Game … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, Idaho, Northern Rockies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Angler’s Tonic Archive: Clearwater Steelhead and Labrador “Sleep”

Note: This story occurred several years ago. The two main characters, Shadow and Moose, are long gone. I’m on night one of a five-day trip to Idaho’s Clearwater River, an attempt to land and release as many of those big, meaty … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Idaho, Spey | 4 Comments

North America’s Most Interesting Hatches

I take a lot of pride in putting together what I hope all you would consider to be a great magazine. If you haven’t looked at American Angler in the past year or two, take a glance. I’ve changed it … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, British Columbia, CANADA, Culture, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Travel, Uncategorized, Wyoming | Tagged | Leave a comment

Clearwater River Closing for Steelhead

To date, steelhead returns for 2019 are approximately 11 percent of the 10-year-average at Lower Granite Dam. From Eric Crawford, Trout Unlimited:  The Idaho Fish and Game Commission announced today that they would be closing the Clearwater River to steelhead … Continue reading

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Selkirk Caribou On The Brink Of Extinction

This is a true bummer, a unique species trying to make a go of it and getting no love in return. I mean, come on . . . caribou in Idaho and Montana? That’s worth saving. If we can’t save … Continue reading

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Deja vu: Idaho Fish Kill Mirrors Yellowstone River Woes

A big fish kill on Montana’s Yellowstone River shut down guides and common anglers this summer and it appears that the disease that crushed the Stone’s whitefish population is doing some damage in Idaho, too. Here’s IDF&G’s take on the … Continue reading

Posted in Conservation, Idaho | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Hucks and Cutts: July Is Go Time

The old rule of thumb in northern Idaho, western Montana and southeast British Columbia said you can fish just about any cutthroat creek, after the Fourth of July. Showing up earlier meant you might be limited by high water. But … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, CANADA, Idaho, Montana, Northern Rockies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Redington’s Chromer Spey: Big Hucks For A Fair Price

Whenever I travel to fish for salmon or steelhead, I like to take two sticks, one usually being some high-end rod that would make me cringe if I broke it, the other a less expensive model that’s perfectly capable of … Continue reading

Posted in Idaho, Spey | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Image(s) of The Week

Spent some time in eastern Idaho this past summer as part of a Patagonia press junket that explained the merits of its new waders (more on that soon), and the advantages of tenkara rods for some situations. Also got out … Continue reading

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Twenty Four Hours for Idaho Steelhead

Giving yourself 24 hours to catch a western steelhead isn’t exactly stacking the odds in your favor. Especially when you spend seven of those driving and eight sleeping. But that’s what I did this weekend, leaving for Idaho after coaching … Continue reading

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