I've never fished Idaho, but I was under the impression that loss of access to spawning habitat (can you say dams?) was the main reason for the decline of the large natives. Not that the Corps or BPA would admit it. Seem to remember reading that fish ladders weren't even installed on the upper Clearwater dams? I'm sure the 4 lower Snake River dams don't help either. If they had anywhere near the number of large natives in Idaho that they used to, I'b be out there in the fall. Too bad.
_________________________
If every fisherman would pick up one piece of trash, we'd have cleaner rivers and more access.