It is time again for a regional roundup — an opportunity to look at what is going on in the world of Idaho Fish and Game that may be of interest to sportsmen, sportswomen, wildlife watchers and outdoors enthusiasts alike in Southeast Idaho.

Southeast Idaho Fly Fishers hosts celebrity fly fisher and tyer

Southeast Idaho Fly Fishers is excited to host celebrity fly fisher, fly tyer and author Scott Sanchez at their monthly club meeting. The public is invited to hear some great fish stories at this free program scheduled for Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Idaho Fish and Game office at 1345 Barton Road in Pocatello.

Sanchez started fly fishing and fly tying at the age of 12. He has spent more than 20 years in the fly fishing industry, working in renowned fly shops, tying flies commercially, providing fly consulting work and working as a sales representative for Scott Fly Rods. He is now the manager of JD High Country Outfitters in Jackson, Wyoming.

Sanchez is a member of the Scott Rods Pro Staff and Whiting Hackle Pro Staff. He has written articles and sold photos to American and Japanese publications, and his photos have won regional and national awards. He wrote the first beginner saltwater fly tying book, “Introduction to Saltwater Fly Tying,” and “A New Generation of Trout Flies.”

His book, “The Never Ending Stream,” is about the tyers and flies that have influenced him, telling the history of flies and fly tying using his own photos and drawings. Currently, he writes the fly tying column for the fly fishing magazine, American Angler.

During his career, Sanchez has been the recipient of various industry awards, has been the featured guide on a number of national TV programs and is considered one of the most innovative fly tyers in the world.

Sanchez has 30 years of experience fishing the Greater Yellowstone area and has fly fished in more than 12 states and in several countries.

IDFG considering opening steelhead harvest season

Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Oct. 2 postponed a decision on a staff proposal to reopen hatchery steelhead harvest with reduced bag limits to gather public comment. The commission plans to vote on Oct. 13, and Fish and Game will take comment on the proposals through Oct. 10 (see below on how to comment).

Steelhead fishing is currently open, but for catch-and-release fishing only. In August, Fish and Game closed the fall steelhead harvest because the run, which was already forecasted to be lower than average, was returning smaller and/or later than expected.

At the time, fish managers said they would closely monitor the run and add restrictions, or request the commission to restore harvest, if hatchery needs would be met and additional hatchery fish were available. Through September, steelhead numbers steadily improved.

“Steelhead returns have rebounded and are now tracking along with the preseason forecast with over 113,000 expected to cross Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River,” said Lance Hebdon, anadromous fish manager for Fish and Game. “Returns projected to Idaho based on known Idaho fish passing Bonneville Dam are now enough to provide a harvest of hatchery steelhead, but with smaller bag limits.”

The proposal is to reduce the traditional daily bag limit from three to two in the Snake and Salmon rivers, with additional restrictions in the Clearwater and lower Snake limiting harvest to two steelhead less than 28 inches. The size restriction protects the larger “B-run” steelhead that are still not abundant enough to provide harvest without risking overharvesting fish needed to replenish hatcheries.

Managers will continue to evaluate steelhead returns over Bonneville Dam and fish returning to Idaho. Managers also said wild fish, which cannot be harvested, will remain protected.

While wild fish numbers are low this year, particularly the Clearwater River’s B-run fish, managers pointed out that Idaho had low wild returns in the past when there were abundant hatchery returns. Idaho’s wild steelhead returns were as low or lower than this year as late as 2007-08. But wild returns quickly rebounded after river and ocean conditions improved.

To see the complete proposal and historic run data, visit idfg.idaho.gov/press/fg-considering-opening-steelhead-harvest-season. Anglers can comment on the proposal via email or by phone to any of the following individuals:

• Joe DuPont, Clearwater Region Fishery Manager, joe.dupont@idfg.idaho.gov; 208-799-5010
• Greg Schoby, Salmon Region Fishery Manager, greg.schoby@idfg.idaho.gov; 208-756-2271
• Dale Allen, Southwest Region (McCall) Fishery Manager, dale.allen@idfg.idaho.gov; 208-634-8137

No antlerless hunts in Southeast Idaho

As a reminder, there will be no antlerless deer hunting allowed this fall during the general any-weapon season in the following Southeast Idaho units: 66A, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 73A, 74, 75, 76, 77, and 78. The recent archery-only season and certain controlled hunts this fall do still allow for antlerless deer hunting opportunities in the southeast region.

The driving factor behind this decision was the particularly harsh winter last year, which was responsible for the below-average overwinter survival of both fawns and does in southeast Idaho. Managers felt that this warranted a reduction in doe harvest in order to help maintain population stability.

In spite of last year’s winter and its impact on deer in some parts of the region, there is still good hunting to be had! It will just look different than previous years, certainly with fewer two-points on the hill.

Jennifer Jackson is the Regional Conservation Educator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Southeast Region.