Sawtooths (Sawteeth?) Idaho

[pgibson]

What''s there not to like?

That was a great trip. Ty told me a few months ago that he went back and explored a few other lakes up on that bench and found some with some outstanding fish in them. We gots to go back Snrmoment.

[JaxHiker]

Paul,

I was wanting to touch base with you on this very subject. I just got invited to join my friend's group and this year they're heading to the Bighorn Crags. Where's this in relation to the Sawtooths? I'd love to pick your brain about hammocking and tenkara in the area. I bought my tenkara rig from your several years ago and it's only seen the retention pond across the street.

[pgibson]

Hey Jax,

The BHC is a good bit like the Sawtooths as far as topography goes. However it's far more remote of an area and gets much less traffic. The Sawtooths are a day trip for a lot of folks out of Boise but the BigHorn is closer to 7 hours drive each way. It's on the edge of one of the biggest wilderness areas in the US and at fairly high elevation. But it's spectacular from everything I have read, seen and heard about it over the years. The area is pretty high elevation thought....trail head is at 8400' so don't skip leg day or cardio day from now till August....about the only month of the year you can get up there.

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As to fishing, most of the alpine lakes in Idaho can be great fishing.

Here is a good overview of the Crags: http://www.summitpost.org/bighorn-crags/316106

Here is the ID Fish and Game trip planner...bit of an interactive map that will let you look at lakes in the areas historical stocking info: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/f...anner/fishmap/

[JaxHiker]

Thanks for the info, Paul. So you're saying I need to lay off the Cheetos, eh?

Which route would be best? Traditional or tenkara? Looks like it's $98 for a non-resident fishing license. I'll never understand why states gouge people that want to visit.

I know I'll have my work cut out for me going from sea level to 8K feet. Guess I'd better get prepped.

[pgibson]

Jax, non resident for the year is $98. But there is a daily option for $12.75 + $6 for each additional day you buy when you buy the first. So a week would be twelve plus 6 more days. Or just under $50.

I fish Tenkara in lakes. It's fast and very effective. Lots of the lakes have tight cover that makes a back cast with any more line than you would use with Tenkara difficult. There are some open spots where you could cast more but I usually don't need any more and often pull the most fish anyway so why cary more.

[Nodust]

Sawtooths

How easy of a drive from Salt Lake would it be?

[pgibson]

It's not a bad drive from SLC. About 6-7 hours but 80mph freeway most of the drive from the airport.

[JaxHiker]

Jax, non resident for the year is $98. But there is a daily option for $12.75 + $6 for each additional day you buy when you buy the first. So a week would be twelve plus 6 more days. Or just under $50.

I fish Tenkara in lakes. It's fast and very effective. Lots of the lakes have tight cover that makes a back cast with any more line than you would use with Tenkara difficult. There are some open spots where you could cast more but I usually don't need any more and often pull the most fish anyway so why cary more.

Thanks, Paul. I must have missed the daily option. I'll go back to the website.

Tenkara sounds awesome. I've been hanging onto this rod for too long and all it's seen is bluegill. Time to start tying me up some flies. Any pattern suggestions for August?

[pgibson]

I'm preferential to Takayama Sakasa Kebaris in red silk thread and the fish seam to be ok with them as well but ants and hoppers will pull them out of the deep as well. Klinkhammers in olive or Black will also produce. I like to fish off rock out croppings. It's a blast to watch a silver bullet come up out of the black for seconds before hitting your fly.

[JaxHiker]

Sweet. I'm going to order some hooks. What size are you using?

I'm totally stoked about this trip.