Moving to Idaho from SD

[sdhuntandfish]

Good morning guys,

My name is Andy, I'm 28 and from Sioux Falls, SD. I'm transfering to Boise in about a month within the company I work for. I have a cousin who played for BSU about 10 years ago that lives in Boise (I'm probably the biggest BSU fan outside of Idaho). Between family visits and flying out there for games, I've fallen in love with that area. I had the opportunity to transfer so I took it.

I'll start out by saying that I'm a walleye guy in every aspect, It is my passion and it's what I spend about every free minute doing. I also enjoy walleye tournament fishing. I have a nice 18' Alumacraft boat mainly set up for walleyes. Since I'm leaving my fishing buddies behind, I'm looking to find new friends to chase fish around Idaho. I don't mind fishing for smallies and big perch/other panfish when there isn't a good bite for eyes. I have little to no knowledge of salmon or trout fishing, we just don't have many opportunities in my part of SD for those.

Being from SD, ice fishing is my winter recreation of choice and from the research I've done, I'm licking my chops to get after those cascade piggies!

I'm looking forward to contributing to this board and hopefully meeting some fellow fisherman along the way.

Thanks,
Andy
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[iwantabuggy]

Welcome to Idaho and to BFT. I think I saw that you signed up on a competeing ice fishing related forum a few days ago and have been in contact with one of my friends there. (His handle there is Duck-Slayer.) I'm sure you know who I'm talking about.

Anyway, welcome. Look forward to your posts and perhaps fishing with you at some point. You'll find a lot of good info here.

You mentioned that you've never fished for Salmon before. You'll find the guys here are pretty anxious for the Salmon to start showing up. It won't be too long now. My guess is about 3 weeks before the Salmon get to Riggins area. For someone probably not to familiar with Idaho, that's about 3 hours drive. Have you ever tried your Alumacraft on a river?

I'm am a bit curious about where you will be working. Would you care to enlighten me? If you don't want to say on open forum, you could PM me.
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[sdhuntandfish]

I fish big rivers with my Alumacraft. Most of my fishing takes place on the Missouri river in central SD. It's also been on the Fox River in Green Bay Wisconsin. The Alumacraft is a 2011 Competitor with a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke.

It seems to handle big water/waves pretty darn well, albeit a little wet bucking waves.
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[iwantabuggy]

Let me know when you get here. I can help get you started on the right foot for most of the cold water species.
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[sdhuntandfish]

Sounds good. Thanks
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[EZOP]

Welcome to the site. I was a fellow walleye guy myself, not so much anymore. Only a few places to catch them here in Idaho. I came from Washington and did the tournaments over there. The Columbia River has some Big eyes.
Keep me in mind for a fishing partner, I'm recently divorced so I have plenty time. I have a 17' Lund that attracts fish where ever it goes.
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[sdhuntandfish]

EZOP, thanks for the reply.

I've heard Idaho isn't a great walleye state, but any lake that can grow 17+ lb eyes will catch my attention. Are there any good walleye tournaments out there?

I'm torn about bringing my boat. For logistical reasons, it might be easier for me to sell it and buy a new one once I'm settled out there. I'd keep my Lowrance HDS's, terrova, ect and just add em to the new one. Are there any Lund/Alumacraft/Crestliner dealers around out there?

Thanks guys, keep em coming.

Andy
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[EZOP]

Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir is where that big eye came from and they do have a yearly tournament, but for the most part the big tourney trail here is in Washington. If I remember correctly it did tourneys on Lake Roosevelt, Banks lake, Pot holes Reservoir, Moses Lake, on the Columbia by Camas. I think Oregon has a tourney trail also, but I believe it's only 3 or so and they are all on the Columbia River.
near Umatilla. Their are several boat dealers in Boise or the surrounding area.

For the most part I bass and crappie fish now, but have been itching to get some eyes.
<img src="http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/data/500/medium/crappie2.JPG" />
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[idahoron]

I fish Salmon Falls for walleyes. I am by no means a walleye expert but I do ok. You will enjoy SFCR. It is a great place to fish but it is a little fickle. I don't normally start fishing it until late may early june. This year with the early warm weather I might hit it early. The problem will be the famous green slime. It will be on us early this year. Ron
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[Aluma165]

All the dealers are represented in the greater Treasure Valley. I'm an Alumacraft guy. Bought my Navigator Sport (16.5') with Yamaha F60 new in 2005 from Idaho Marine in Boise. Great folks. Great boat for the reservoirs. The big rivers here are best with welded hull jet boats or drift boats; at least in the rough stretches. I've had mine in the big "pools" but wouldn't hit the fast water areas in it.
Welcome to Idaho!
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[sdhuntandfish]

Thanks for the info. This is my 3rd Alumacraft, they have all been pretty decent boats.

I'm anxious to get out there. My first day of work will be May 21.
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[mr.jigr12]

Andy, great to here you are coming to Idaho. We do have a walleye fishing club in the Magic Valley, out of Twin Falls. We also put on a fantastic Tournament. This year is our 15 th Annual Spring Classic. The dates for this year are June 16th & 17th.

Send me a post message with your phone number and I will give you all of the info and mail you the flyer with entry forms.

p.s. Anyone that says that Idaho doesn't have good walleye fishing, just hasn't figured them out yet. It can be awesome! I have two good friends that moved here from Minnesota and both of them have caught their personal biggest, here in Idaho.

As Idahoron said, Salmon Falls Creek can be very fickle but it can also be fantastic. Get a hold of me!
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[sdhuntandfish]

Thanks for the reply.

Do you guys have any get togethers/banquets, ect?

I'd like to be able to get to know some fellow walleye guys around the area. I just don't see myself ever jumping head first into the salmon/trout thing (although I'd like to try catching some) So it would be nice to find people that are also walleye nuts like myself. I'm crazy enough to tow over to the Columbia, Fort Peck, or any other destination as well.

My biggest eye in SD is about 11 lbs so maybe I'll be able to top it out there.
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[sdhuntandfish]

Here's a big gal I caught this past fall. Right at 30"

Released to fight another day.

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