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MCCAMMON, Idaho — Once the most prized blue ribbon fishery in southeast Idaho, the Portneuf River between Chesterfield Reservoir near Bancroft and Pocatello has had its ups and downs over the past decade.

Silt from cattle and the population of carp flushed down from Chesterfield used to hamper the trout fishing.

The river has since rebounded and now offers anglers trophy cutthroat fishing again. Although the river has a long way to go to get back to the days of 4 to 6-pound fish, rainbows and cutties pushing 2 to 3 pounds can still be taken in certain stretches of this fabled water.

The fishing doesn't get good until you pass the first few miles below the Chesterfield dam; this is generally agricultural area with slower, murky water.

Bob Langston shows an 18-inch German brown trout caught on Idaho's Portneuf River.

Regulations are strict in this prime cutthroat fishery section above Pebble Creek and Whiskey Mike's to the Kelly-Toponce Road. This is a cutthroat catch-and-release area, but a limit of rainbows may be taken.

Pay close attention to your regulations as the entire Portneuf River system has a two-cutthroat limit, and none under 16 inches may be harvested. Rainbows fall under the general regulations.

Bait dunkers should fare well using worms and Power Bait but spinners like Mepps, Panther Martins, Rooster Tails and others should provide fast and furious action.

Expect most fish to run in the 12 to 16-inch range, but a few large fish up to 20 inches have been taken recently.

Dave Jackman of Blackfoot reports landing more than 20 cutthroat in the 16-inch range, with a few 18-inchers coming to the net.

"It was one of my better days on the river in over ten years," he said.

Down river

As you work down the river below Whiskey Mike's, the river widens and offers anglers good wading, getting you closer to the action. Waterfalls create large pools and the fish in these pools tend to fatten up and run larger.

Tom Camacho of Pocatello landed a 6-pound cutthroat from one of these pools on a spinner.

"It was the largest cutt I've ever landed," he said.

"The river used to be unbelievable 15 or 20 years ago. It used to be that rainbows and cutthroat over 5 pounds were not even looked at twice coming from the Portneuf. But I do believe we've made some progress, as Idaho Fish and Game has put very strict regulations on the entire river system."

I agree with Camacho, but sportsmen who practice catch-and-release on some of the waters have made a huge difference also.

Above Lava Hot Springs

Above Lava Hot Springs to Whiskey Mike's also produces larger rainbows with a few lunker cutthroat in the deeper pools and slow moving bends in the river.

A few years back, Jackman and I pulled on the waders and worked 2 miles of river without hitting dry land.

The fishing was fast and we landed cutthroat and rainbows more than 2 pounds on spinners and tube baits. We also used some bass tackle, and it worked great luring trout to the net.

I believe that particular day we reeled in close to 100 fish in ten hours of pounding the water. Hardcore anglers can expect days like that on most outings on the river.

Below Lava Hot Springs

Below Lava Hot Springs is where browns are the rule, not the exception. Although a few anglers have reported browns on the upper reaches of the river, I've yet to see any proof. I do know that browns up to 7 pounds do prowl the lower sections.

James Hayball of Pocatello hunts large browns here.

"I've landed some unbelievable browns near McCammon," he said.

"The largest to date is more than 9 pounds, but I had a fish on a few years back that was a lot larger, pushing 12 at least. They're not common to catch, but the large browns are in there because anglers simply don't want to get into the brush and mud, back where the larger ones hold."

Hayball also said that he's seen and landed cutthroat more than 5 pounds in this lower section.

"From McCammon to the Crane Creek Sportsman's Access area is a good bet to land some huge fish," he said.

"The problem is access, as most of this is private land and a good number of landowners don't give permission."

I know this to be true. I've had a few landowners scream at me and occasionally call the sheriff.

The key is to stay within the high-water marks and do not get out of the water! They scream and holler, but it's our right to fish any public fishery in the state of Idaho.

Rapalas, cutbait and large spinners are good choices to put some of these big browns on the wall.

"I fish with 10 to 15-pound monofilament due to the snags and brush," Hayball said.

"Also, I don't want to lose that once-in-a-lifetime fish due to improper tackle."

Portneuf River

The Portneuf River offers good camping in the Kelly-Toponce area, which is primitive but also has a good number of beaver ponds holding small wild cutthroat and rainbows.

Here you can enjoy your ATVs and sight-seeing on many of the trails and roads designated for those activities.

Pebble Creek campground is also top-notch with improved campsites. This area also holds rainbows, cutthroat and an occasional brook trout in the upper reaches.

Idaho Fish and Game (208-232-4703) annually stocks Pebble Creek with rainbows for the kids and campers. This is another excellent area to enjoy outdoors on your ATV.

Lava Hot Springs can accommodate campers and tents with full hook-ups.

Most of these campgrounds in town are booked for the summer, but a few are on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a great getaway for the entire family, as most come hundreds of miles to enjoy the hot pools and the large Olympic heated swimming pool.

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