I'm going to be taking scouts on a 3 day bike trek from Idaho City to Redfish Lake next week. I'm going to have a lot of free time in the evenings and was hoping to have a chance to try some of the local streams. I have never been in this area before and am curious as to my options. I love to fly fish small streams and rivers so I'm optimistic that I may be able to find a few places to try. Any help on where to start and what to expect would be greatly appreciated. I'll plan on posting a report when I get back.
Brady
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Sounds like quite a bike ride! I think it would take me 3 days just to get to Mores Creek Summit. lol You sure you don't want to start at Lowman? Or Bull Trout Lake? There are some severe summits to climb. The hwy between Idaho City and Lowman is quite narrow and steep.
Any water you see will probably be good for fly fishing. I assume you will be staying on hwy 21 mostly?
The SF Payette runs along hwy 21 after you hit Lowman. It will have the larger trout.
Marsh Creek has some good fly fishing near Cape Horn. You might want to stop and check out the salmon trap visible from hwy 21. It may have a few salmon in it.
Valley Creek between Stanley Lake turnoff and Stanley is one of my favorites. If the water is high enough run a wet fly along the cut bank. Trout hide under the bank to get out of the sun. Watch for salmon redds if you are wading.
Salmon river from Stanley to Redfish is hot sometimes if it's been recently stocked. Check out F&G website for stocking info.
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I agree with Perry3: that is one killer ride. If you are still alive by the time you get to Stanley, I have heard that the river below Lower Stanley is also producing planters. Are you aware that the F & G have a relatively new fishing pond in Lowman, that they regularly plant. You might give them a ring, and let them know that you are taking kids up there. I am sure they will let you know if it has been recently planted, and give you directions as well. Hope you have fun. Mike
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The Lowman ponds are at the 10 Mile bridge road (about 12 miles from Lowman). When they plant them, the fishing can be hot. Between plantings, my experience has been extremely slow fishing. The ponds get a huge algae bloom going in August and are pretty tough to fish. One of them gets so bad, it looks like you could walk across it.
About the ride, I hope your scouts are in good shape, that will be a really difficult ride.
RD
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