Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir ‌

Regulations will change Jan. 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband-rainbow trout per day in the 12 to 15-inch size class. This regulation is to protect large redband trout spawners, and chinook and steelhead smolts and adults. The river will be closed from June 15 to Oct. 1 from Keno Dam to the Highway 66 Bridge downstream.‌

Redband-rainbow trout are primarily feeding on minnow and sculpins this time of year. Mimicking minnows with flies and lures will produce the best results. There is also very abundant crayfish, mayflies, caddisflies and leeches. No bait allowed!‌

Access is very challenging. The road into the dam is very bad. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. There are other points of access that require a long hike to the river.‌

The river is difficult wading. Anglers who wade should have studded wading boots, wading belt, wading staff, polarized glasses and maybe a helmet and shin guards. The bottom is very slick and bedrock ledges can drop off quickly. Visibility is also poor. ‌

Water temperature has dropped to 38 degrees, turbidity is stable around 11 FNU and flows are very low at 392 cfs. ‌

Please remember no bait and only one redband trout greater than 15 inches. Regulations will change Jan. 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband-rainbow trout per day in the 12 to 15-inch size class. This is to protect large Redband Trout spawners, chinook and steelhead smolts and adults. Once you retain your limit of redband trout you must cease fishing for redband trout. 

J.C. Boyle Dam to J.C Boyle Powerhouse ‌

Regulations will change January 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband rainbow trout per day in the 12 to 15-inch size class. This is to protect large redband trout spawners, and chinook and steelhead smolts and adults. Flows typically remain low at about 130 cfs year-round at JC Boyle Dam. Fishing should be good in this section. Open all year. Flows are typically low and stable and typically range from 100 cfs at the dam and increase due to springs to around 350 cfs at the Powerhouse. ‌

Catch rates should be excellent for this time of year considering winter like fishing conditions. Fishing is best below the spring inputs. The gate is now closed that accesses the river along the power canal. Access is available by foot traffic only.‌

The springs start to discharge into the river approximately half a mile below J.C. Boyle Dam. This section of river requires a hike down steep grade to the river except for the area just above the powerhouse. ‌

Use small flies or lures as redband trout are mostly small (8-10 inches) in this section. ‌

There is good access at the powerhouse. Park and walk upstream. This area is fished hard, but you can hike to get away from the pressure. Hiking or wading upstream is difficult. ‌

Small nymphs such as pheasant tails and prince nymphs work well in this section. Small black Panther Martins or Rooster Tails work well when cast upstream into the deeper pools. 

J.C. Boyle Powerhouse to State Line with California‌

Regulations will change January 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband-rainbow trout per day in the 12 to 15-inch size class. This regulation is to protect large redband trout spawners, and chinook and steelhead smolts and adults. ‌

Flows will be fishable until around 3 p.m. this week and fishing during this time should be excellent. Make sure you have good tires and 4X4. Best fishing is when flows are less than 900 cfs. You can check flow estimates at PacifiCorp Weekly Flow Estimates. Wednesdays are typically the best day to fish as flows are low until later in the day. ‌

Large attractor flies such and wooly buggers, bead head prince nymphs, and rubber leg stoneflies under a strike indicator work best this time of year. Olive and black wooly buggers almost always work well. Black spinners and Panther Martins can also work. So do small crayfish patterns.‌

Below the JC Boyle Powerhouse the redband/rainbow trout get slightly larger than the aforementioned reach and average 12 inches but rarely exceed 16 inches. Currently, most redband caught are in the 10- to 14-inch range.