Welcome to Idaho – one of the most special places in the Northern Rockies. Maybe it’s the gorgeous scenery and abundant wildlife that initially draws you in, but it is the legendary fishing that will have you coming back for more. Idaho is chock full of high-quality trout streams, including the South Fork of the Snake River, the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, or the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River to name just a few. We love touring ranches throughout the state and fishing in the various rivers and streams. With that in mind, here are some of our best ranches to go fly fishing in Idaho.
Renegade Ranch encompasses 1,226± acres and a remarkable two and a half miles of fabled Silver Creek, and is one of the premier sporting and lifestyle properties in the Sun Valley area. Nestled against the rocky foothills of the Pioneer Mountains, the ranch is conveniently located 45 minutes from Ketchum and the Sun Valley Resort and a half-hour south of the commercial airport in Hailey.
With a reputation as one of the great spring creek trout fisheries in the world, Silver Creek is the centerpiece of the ranch, and few properties in the Silver Creek system offer as much stream frontage or privacy as the Renegade. The birch-lined stretch of Silver Creek flowing through the ranch is not only lengthy but incredibly diverse featuring gravel-lined runs, deep, undercut banks, and well-oxygenated riffles cascading over a basalt rock bottom. Angling opportunities and access to the stream corridor is greatly enhanced by an extensive road and trail network that leads to numerous prime fishing spots. Some of the largest fish in the Silver Creek system are found on the ranch with browns regularly exceeding 20 inches.
The 80± acre Castle Rock Ranch is located approximately 30 miles northeast of the resort community of Ketchum/Sun Valley over Trail Creek Pass. The East Fork of the Big Lost River, a beautiful mid-sized freestone stream, flows through the property for over a half-mile providing outstanding trout fishing throughout its length. Star Hope and Wildhorse Creeks (two of the East Fork’s main tributaries) along with the North Fork of the Big Lost and main stem Big Lost are only a short distance away from the property and offer additional high-quality, easily accessible fishing opportunities. A very tasteful 2,054± square foot, four-bedroom/two-bath log fishing cabin (which is being offered furnished) is perched above the East Fork and offers enchanting views of the river and the surrounding White Knob and Pioneer mountains.
Big Lost River Sanctuary is a scenic 192± acre river bottom ranch with panoramic views of Idaho’s highest peaks among the Lost River Valley’s premier trout fishing and wildlife properties. Over a half-mile of the Big Lost River flows through the ranch with numerous riffles, runs, and deep holes that are home to large rainbow trout exceeding 20 inches. Additional water resources on the property include Kid Creek, the Burnett irrigation canal, and various sloughs, side channels, and wetland areas. A lush cottonwood forest offers secluded building sites and provides an undisturbed haven for moose, whitetail deer, mule deer, wild turkeys, raptors, and waterfowl.
Upper Sawmill Creek Ranch is a “jewel in the crown” among Idaho’s collection of wilderness ranches. Located in its own valley, the ranch consists of 146± deeded acres surrounded by the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Access is either from the air utilizing the property’s private 2,500± foot grass airstrip or by seasonal gravel road. Sawmill Creek flows for approximately one mile through the property and supports a robust wild rainbow trout fishery that anglers of all skill levels will find enjoyable and rewarding.
