For trophy brown trout in a stunningly beautiful desert setting, the Owyhee River is tough to beat. Stretching 280 miles across three states and draining 11,049 square miles, it’s fair to say that this Snake River tributary offers some of the best brown trout fishing in the Northwest.
The Owyhee’s sterling reputation rests almost entirely on a 10-mile tailwater section below Owyhee Reservoir in Oregon, where hefty brown trout grow fat on ample insect populations. That being said, in addition to brown trout fly fishing, Idaho’s portion of the Owyhee River also offers some compelling fishing opportunities of its own
Lower Owyhee River Tailwater: Trophy Brown Trout Hotspot
Flowing through a picturesque desert canyon—technically it’s a steppe canyon, but we’ll save the geography lesson for another day—the lower Owyhee River is home to monster brown trout that average 14 to 17 inches. It’s possible to tangle with browns in the 10-pound class here. Rainbow trout are also available, occasionally topping 6 pounds.
Because the outflow from the Owyhee River Dam helps regulate the water temperature, Owyhee River fly fishing is available year-round. But it isn’t always easy. The tailwater section is low gradient, which is a bit of a double-edged sword. Wading is easy, but achieving a perfect drag-free drift can be tricky. The river in this area is essentially a series of slow pools and short riffles, mostly 2 to 4 feet deep, and the water often has a milky green tint to it.
Owyhee River Fly Fishing Access & Etiquette
Owyhee River access is quite easy throughout the tailwater section. The 10-mile section below Owyhee Dam flows through public land and is paralleled by Owyhee Lake Road, which provides ample access. The river is about a 90-minute drive west of Boise via I-84 and Highway 201.
The Owyhee River is sometimes referred to as a hidden gem, but the truth is that it’s pretty well-known, at least locally. It’s a popular day trip from Boise, and on good days during peak season, you can count on seeing quite a lot of other fly fishers on the water. Visit on a weekday to avoid rubbing shoulders, and try to arrive early. Brush up on angler etiquette in case you do end up on the river on a busy day, and check with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife for current regulations.
Key Owyhee River Hatches & Top Fly Patterns
Insect populations in the Owyhee River are exceptional for a tailwater fishery, and frequent hatches make this a great place for dry fly fishing. The best times to fish are spring into early summer, and from early to mid fall. Brown trout spawn in October and November, so be respectful of fish when they’re on their spawning beds.
Spring gets underway with a few reliable hatches, one of the most notable being the Skwala Stonefly, which can appear any time throughout the spring months. Midges are also prolific in spring, and various species that are collectively referred to as Blue Winged Olives can catch in virtually any season, but are especially common in spring and fall.
As spring turns to summer, keep an eye out for Pale Morning Duns, Speckled Wing Quills, Spotted Sedge Caddisflies, Mahogany Duns, Craneflies and Tricos. Summer is a great time to be a dry fly angler on the Owyhee.
Terrestrials are often key to success during the warmer months. All sorts of bugs tumble into the river from the sagebrush and grasses that line the banks, and various ant, beetle and hopper patterns should be in your fly box all summer. Some of the top-producing fly patterns on the Owyhee Tailwater include:
- Pale Morning Dun (#16 or smaller)
- Skwala stonefly (dark olive)
- Chubby Chernobyl (black or olive)
- Brown Parachute Adams
- Parachute Hopper
- Dave’s Hopper
- Hi-Vis Beetle
- Yellow Humpy (#8-12)
- Stimulator
- Royal Trude
- Turk’s Tarantula (#8-12)
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Beadhead Olive Hare’s Ear
- Beadhead Zebra Midge (#20-22)
Nymphing with a large indicator fly can often be an effective way to ensure that your bases are covered. Try a big, chunky dry fly like a Chubby Chernobly above a bead head Zebra Midge.
Fly Fishing Idaho’s Upper Owyhee River Wilderness
The upper Owyhee River is a very different waterway from the tailwater section that most anglers focus on, and the angling opportunities are different as well. This part of the river begins in northern Nevada and cuts a snake-like canyon across the southwestern corner of Idaho before crossing into Oregon. The Upper Owyhee River—along with several tributaries including Battle Creek, Deep Creek and the Owyhee’s North and South Forks—are federally listed Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Rugged and remote, the upper Owyhee River is not heavily pressured. Rather than rubbing shoulders with other anglers, you’re likely to go days without seeing another soul. And instead of trophy brown trout, you’ll be pursuing feisty rainbows and native redband trout. Though more modest in size, they’re still a joy to catch.
Redband trout are widespread throughout the Upper Owyhee River System. Adapted to life in arid desert streams, redbands are listed as a Species of Concern in Idaho, though they are also one of the state’s iconic native trout species.
The best time to catch them is March through June, and they typically reside in shady pools and pocket water, or around woody debris. Redbands are often eager to slurp a dry fly from the surface, and they are often easily fooled by attractor patterns and small hoppers and other terrestrials. A #14 Parachute Adams is a favorite offering.
The Upper Owyhee River in Idaho flows through the 267,000-acre Owyhee River Wilderness Area. It is entirely open to the public, though access points are few and widely spaced. The area is modestly popular for river rafting trips, and many miles of hiking trails crisscross the backcountry. Be sure to take desert survival precautions, including packing extra fuel and water.
Put-in and take-out sites on the Upper Owyhee in Idaho are located at Duck Valley, Garat Crossing, Rickert Crossing and Crutcher’s Crossing. Be aware that the river has some very technical whitewater, including rapids up to Class IV, especially above Garat Crossing. This American Whitewater guide to the Upper Owyhee River is a good resource for knowing what to expect, as is the BLM’s OWyhee River Wilderness Area map.