Thread: Something Different in Freshwater

Got one of the last flights out of Orlando before the Hurricane, for a long awaited "planned" trip to Idaho, right outside of Boise. Was grateful my son was able to take care of the house & that we faired ok, with minimal clean-up @ the home front, while we were gone. Prayers still lifted for those in flooded areas.... Well, we fished the Snake River (4 days), Lake C.J.Strike, & Lake Cascade a day each. Many channel cat's over 5lbs., ton of small-mouth bass, yellow perch, rainbow trout, blue gill, & the goal my B-N-L had for me, a white Sturgeon. All caught exclusively bank fishing, as my B-N-L is in between boats. Weather couldn't have been better with nighttime lows in 50's & days upper 70's, never rained during the 2week visit. Brought them a cooler of crappie filets & had hopes of bringing back some yellow perch, however, without a boat just got teased with the potential (2) 2 1/2LB jumbos caught from shore. A few smaller ones made for great catfish cut bait, as did the rainbow trout we caught in a irrigation creek close to the house we were staying @...the small mouth didn't disappoint @ all with the usual attitude they display when hooked in river current & the cat's dug down & stripped drag as the bigger one's had their way with our gear. But without a doubt the Sturgeon, was hands down a Freight Train for a 1/2hr battle, using a tiger ugly stik rod paired with a series 6000 Penn reel, 50lb. mono & regulation barbless hook.... Excitement notched up to 10 when this pushing 8ft 350lb. behemoth went airborne & we seen the 1st glimpse of it's enormous size. We tag-teamed duties hauling it in, snapped some photos, before we released it back to the depths, realizing this was a fish of a lifetime estimated to be 100 yrs old @ it's length.... Highlight of the trip!! Although, their college football game (Boise State) we took in was filled with excitement as well, but like all things when on vacation they must at some point come to an end, but you can bet a return visit is in the works...tight lines all & may some be tighter than others!....BTW, they do have crappie, however, like said a boat is required to find the schools in deeper water this time of yr....