Fall is a great time of year in southern Idaho. The weather is crisp, footballs are flying, and fishing opportunities abound.
The only bummer is the decreasing amount of daylight. By the time most folks get off work, the sun is on its way down. Weekends are still workable (and between colder weather and hunting season, crowds usually dwindle), but options are limited for a quick fishing fix. If you’re looking to beat the early sunset with a short session on the water, here are a few pointers:
- Fish Local. Long drive times are tougher to navigate with so little daylight available. Luckily, anglers don’t have to go far to catch fish. The Boise River is fishing awesome right now, offering an opportunity for a big rainbow or brown trout here in town. Local ponds also fish well in the fall thanks to increased trout stocking efforts and decreased weed life. The Snake River is a little farther out, but you can still get there in less than an hour, and the fall smallmouth bite has been on fire. Lastly, don’t overlook Lucky Peak and Arrowrock Reservoirs. The water is low, but trout fishing with worms and Power Bait can be very productive off rocky points.
- Stay Ready. This is a good time of year to keep some fishing gear in the back of the truck. If your schedule unexpectedly opens up, you can grab a couple precious hours of daylight on the river—maybe even at that spot you’ve driven by a hundred times, but never had the opportunity to explore. A light action rod and a small tackle box with a handful of spinners, crankbaits, flies, and/or bait hooks should get the job done. Don’t forget the landing net!
- Dress for Success. After a long, hot summer, it’s easy to get caught off-guard by the fall weather. Layers are essential this time of year, with morning conditions near freezing, daytime highs in the 60s and temperatures plummeting near sunset. If you’re walking the river, it’s time to bust out the waders. Headlamps are also handy for navigating lowlight conditions, which currently persist until 8 a.m. and creep back in shortly after 5 p.m.
- Keep it Simple: Success looks different when you only have a short window. Catching a few fish in an hour is a great trip—especially if you land a big one! With a little planning, you can squeeze the most out of these short days and extend your fishing season deep into fall. Tight lines!