Idaho’s bull trout persevere as search for other precious resources continues

Unable to see my fly, I was worried I wouldn’t pick up on a take. I shouldn’t have been concerned. My line ripped taut as something far under the surface inhaled my imitation and began to run with it like it had stolen something. I watched my line travel back and forth in the deep pool. Overwhelmed with emotion, I literally slid down the awkward rock outcropping of the outlet channel and brought a 16- to 18-inch brightly spotted and beautiful olive bull trout to the net.”

Everything you wanted to know: bull trout

Big, beautiful and bold, the magnificent bull trout is one of North America’s most interesting — and sometimes misunderstood — salmonids. In fact, it wasn’t until 1980 that bull trout were formally recognized as a distinct species. Until then, what we now know as Salvelinus confluentus were considered Dolly Varden.   Found in several Northwest…

It’s bull trout time in Idaho

Roger Phillips photo. By Roger Phillips They’re big, they’re hard-fighting, and they’re one of Idaho’s most overlooked trophy fishing opportunities, but many anglers are still confused about whether they can target bull trout for catch-and-release fishing. The short answer is yes.  When bull trout were listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in…