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Greetings!
First post from a potential new Idaho resident from Alaska. In fact, I will be visiting with my wife, in less than a week to scout the Boise area.
I have lived and fly fished in Alaska for the past 37+ years, the popluar weight fly rods here are 8# and 5# 9ft'. I am thinking, after watching some video, that a perhaps a #3 weight rod may be in order to add for the smaller species/small stream fish that are available in Idaho.
Do I look forward to making another investment in a new fly rod or, is my existing gear "ideal"?
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Welcome, or welcome to Idaho in the near future. An 8 wt is a good choice here for steelhead, salmon, and carp. The 5 wt is a nice all around rod for bass to trout.
I love my 3 and 4 wts for the smaller streams and pan fishing, but they are a bugger to cast in the wind.
If it was me, I would wait until you get here and fish some areas.
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For small streams in Idaho a 2 or 3 weight in 7 or 7.5 feet is awesome. Loads quick for small quarters where you don't need a bunch of line out. Most 4 and 5 wts won't even load up to cast right on small streams.
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If you have the time while in Boise, head west about 1-1/2 hrs to Owyhee River, right across the oregon border. Very popular spot for some great fly fishing. The river flow is pretty low right now, but there are plenty of eddy's & pools running the whole length, with easy parking right on the water's edge running from the dam on down the canyon.
I think a 1 day pass for oregon is only $15.
They are going to be putting up a toll booth on the road up the Owyhee soon (if it isn't already there), I hear the price is going to be $2 per car, or a season pass for like $25.
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Your 5 and 8 wt will be great as mentioned. I use a 6' 4 wt for small streams. You will love it in Idaho!
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I personally would recommend a 4 wt, but you say you have a 5 wt. Sooooo I will say a nice 3 wt. I have a 2 wt and it is a blast and actually, I have landed an 18" brown in the river with it (however, I was running a distance down the shore line)
I think a 3 wt will be a little better for weighted flies or those "rare" windy days there in Idaho. Really want to make it interesting, look at GLASS.
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I'm in the same camp as CPierce and FG. 8 wt. for steelhead, salmon, 5wt. for trout, and 3 or 4 for smaller streams, but with Idaho's breezes, I'd lean more to the 4wt. No shorter than a 7' either.
Ideal 4 wt. for me is an older Orvis Trout Bum or 4wt. One Ounce.
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Thank you all, for the replies! I have no experience with anything less than a 5wt so, I have an image in my head that a 4wt is too similar and a 3wt is the way to go, I was thinking a 3wt 7' 6", some time in a shop handling the two will tell. I do like to go light when it comes to fishing whenever possible. I have used my 8wt to catch everything from chinook on down to rainbows, my 5wt is for pink salmon, rainbows, dollies and grayling.
We do not have the diversity of game fish in Alaska that the lower 48 does, Idaho in particular. The prospects have me excited about fishing again in a way hat I have not felt for many years. It is a good feeling!
I think I will add a stop to a local Boise Fly shop upon my visit. Any suggestions for a easy to find, well equipped store?
I am fond of my two Sage rods, so another Sage may be in order.
[fishin]
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My rod arsenal consists of a 7.5' 3 wt and 9.5' rods in 5 and 7 wt. Even numbers are fine, but I've always been a little odd...
The 3 wt is a delightful rod by Hardy/Greys that I ordered from a fly shop in Caldwell, Idaho. Just down the road a bit from Boise. Very nice rod at a pleasing price. It's perfect for smaller streams and calm days.
Edit to ad: I just found it. It's Anglers Habitat in Caldwell. anglershabitat.com
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I don't know of any fly shops there in Boise but they do have the big I boys cabelas and sportsmans warehouse.
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Oh baby, the TXL is a sweet stick for the small flies. I have a LL in a 2 wt. LOVE IT. Three weight I have a Shelbyville. You don't want to know about four weights as there are many[cool] 5 wts not too many. They come in 6'10" or 7'10" Awesome!
Welcome to the lower 48 and GREAT NEWS! Idaho is suppose to be getting Tiger Trout too[  ][  ]
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In Boise, there's a shop called Anglers not far off I-84 on Overland Road, and another shop called Idaho Angler further to the east, not far off Overland Road. Anglers is an Orvis shop, though not a huge inventory. Google Maps knows exactly where they are, with directions![ ]
3 and 4 weights are what I use everywhere in Idaho. I like 8 1/2 to 9-footers though, except for bamboo I like 7 1/2 and 8. All are perfect for the Boise, Owyhee, Silver Creek, and the like. Some other great fishing all around Boise too, within just a couple hours. (I just spent a week in that area myself!)
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[quote Alaska76]
We do not have the diversity of game fish in Alaska that the lower 48 does, Idaho in particular. The prospects have me excited about fishing again in a way hat I have not felt for many years. It is a good feeling!
[fishin][/quote]
Y'all don't have bass up there, do you? If you're here in the spring, get yourself a few flippin' frogs and head to Lake Lowell, near Caldwell. You'll love it!
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No bass, walleye, perch, bluegill, catfish, cutthroat, brown trout, brooktrout, carp and various other fish.
The species we have in common are salmon-all 5 species in Alaska, steelhead, and rainbow trout. Similarly we have dolly varden/arctic char... kin to bull head trout, and lake trout. There are northern pike in places.
I have caught many bass when I was a wee lad in California, and when I visited Minnesota in the past, fun to catch but certainly not challenging when compared to salmon and trout. I am looking forward to bass and panfish though.
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