Idaho It has always been a mecca for fly fishing. There are so many great rivers that one really can’t go wrong when choosing a place to fish. Idaho has excellent trout fishing in rivers such as the South Fork Snake River, Henry Fork Snake River, and the Boise River, to name a few. It’s also a great place to catch Steelhead that travel to and frequent the Clearwater and Salmon rivers. But what about the lesser known rivers? This series explores five of our favorite Idaho rivers that provide a great fly fishing experience for any angler. However, you will most likely be the only fisherman on them.

the river of falls

The river

The Falls River begins its journey in the southwestern corner of Yellowstone National Park, north of Lake Beula. It gains some momentum as smaller streams flow into it, but it really adds some flow when it meets the Bechler River just before it leaves the park. The Falls River then travels south out of the park, where it cascades down an elevation drop that forms the often-visited Cave Falls. At this point it crosses from Wyoming to Idaho where there is another even more spectacular waterfall called Sheep Falls. The Falls River then traverses some fairly rugged terrain before flowing through Idaho’s famous potato farms east of Ashton, where it finally empties into the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, just west of Highway 20, over Chester Dam. .

To lease

Depending on where you fish along the Falls River, getting there can be a chore. I’ve fished just over the bridge along Highway 20 and had some luck, but in my opinion the best stretch of the Falls River is just east of Ashton, Idaho. To get there, take Highway 47 from Ashton and as you head north, head east on Marysville Road. A few miles east of the turn, one can turn right onto 4500E and access the Falls River from the bridge (which is great fishing, but many know it), but for complete solitude (and fantastic fly fishing) continue on Marysville Rd. It eventually turns into a dirt road called Cave Falls Road (FR 582). You will eventually notice that the landscape changed drastically to a very thick and rugged forest. After many kilometers you will see a road (FR124) that turns right. Take this path. If you make it to the Bechler River Ranger Station, turn off or enter Wyoming, you’ve gone too far. FR 124 starts off good, but to get to Falls River you have to traverse some pretty bad roads. Once there, you can fish upstream or downstream. Downstream is Sheep Falls which can be some excellent fly fishing. However, it is not for the faint of heart. The hike is pretty tough and your friends on the river could easily be Moose (Big Ones) or Grizzly Bear. I would definitely recommend bringing the bear essentials (the bells, the spray, etc.) or just a friend who runs slower than you. My two trips there only borrowed me to see Moose, but if you talk to Bechler rangers, they will tell you to be careful because Grizzlies reside very close to this area.

Fish

This is a unique river in that the further upstream you go, the better the fishing. Long hikes and off-trail access minimize fishing pressure, especially around the Sheep Falls area. Much of the Fall River drainage was devoid of trout above Cave Falls. Sheep Falls and Cave Falls are believed to have been the historic upstream barriers to trout. Most of the luck I’ve had fly fishing in the Falls River has been below the surface on flies like: Prince Nymphs, Hares Ears, Pheasant Tails and Stone Fly Nymphs. The first significant aquatic insect to emerge is the pale morning brown. Starting in July you will see stoneflies and brown and green drakes. I have also released leeches, streamers and woolly critters with some success. Just below Sheep Falls you get some nice deep runs with larger trout. The average size trout in these waters is about 12 to 14 inches long, but in many places along the Falls River it is not uncommon to find trout north of 20 inches. Also, fishing the Falls River near Highway 20 will also produce some nice browns.

If you’re headed to Idaho and want to get away from the crowds, Falls River might be your ticket. The wildlife and serenity are great. She is the nirvana of a backpacker, a fly fisherman and a photographer.