Swan Falls, How to get over the dam?

[cetovick]

I have been fishing above and below the dam off the bank for a couple years now. Then someone mentioned crossing the dam and fishing the other side. I loaded up with a buddy the other day and looked a bit on a way to cross over to the other side... No luck. So we went downstream. After sun set we checked the high road to the bridge and saw a few dudes fishing above the damn, FROM the dam. Every gate seemed to be locked with no trespassing signs.

Is there a path or walkway to get over? Or do you need to hop a fence after hours. (PM me if thats the case, dont need any admission of guilt )

Also, I assume those dudes who were on the dam were going for cats? Any success stories from there?

Also, FIRST POST! I have been lurking for a while now and figured I might as well hop in the mix. You all seem like some awesome people.

P.S. Might as well attach my pic from the catch of the other day in a little Meridian pond.

Eric
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[Boise_Boy]

when you park at the dam there is a pathway across the dam. it has a sportsmans access sign. the people fishing on top of the dam were actually probably shooting for crappie. ive seen a lot of people have good luck crappie fishing up there. any cats will be below the dam
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[cetovick]

Ahh... so I just need glasses... gotcha. In my defense it was dark when we checked that topside!

Side note, any cat tips below the dam? used some homemade cutbait from old chicken soaked in beer,garlic,raw eggs, and a little milk... that sat for a few weeks, REAL foul smelling stuff. but no luck on the near side bank between shore and the little island. had 5 people with poles in the water too.
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[Boise_Boy]

Haha we all have those moments. I havent quite gotten the cats down to an exact science. but ive gotten the most action going the cut bait direction over the stinkbait. Good hits on crappie and trout. sliding sinker setup seems to work the best for me as well
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[GOOSEASSASSIN]

In my exp. the stinkbait works better in mid summer when things on the bottom actually ARE rotten and DO stink just my exp tho. GOOD LUCK!
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[mr.jigr12]

Like most fishing, the closest bait that you can get to the fishes natural food source, is always the best! Cut up sucker, crappie, perch will catch 20 fish for every fish you catch on stink bait! FRESH cut bait is far better than frozen but frozen will work! I'm stating something that I have proved and not just blowing smoke!!! Three of us were below Steck park once when the water was very low. One of my friends said he had the MAGIC bait, chicken livers! He did catch the first cat of the day on his first cast! About an hour after that, he was begging me for some sucker meat!!! My other buddy and I had landed close to 20 fish between us in that time frame. Needless to say, he doesn't bring chicken liver anymore!
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[Oskolkoff]

i normally fish bellow swan falls alot but this year being on crutches it has been a hard spot for me to fish and the times i have fished it were ok at best this year the i fished the river for cats friday night and only manged to land one it was 11 pounds on the scale this same spot last year we would catch 20 to 30 cat's a night with alot of big ones I only use fresh cut bait or fish heads and chicken liver but even with chicken liver i like it fresh if nothing else it holds on the hook better also if you are fishing below the dam heavy gear works best at least 4 to 5 oz of weight to stay down in the current look for out side bends in the river that you can keep your gear down in their are spots bellow swan that no matter how much weight you throw it will not stick unless you are on the wright side of the river this stretch of river is kinda hard to bait fish with out the wright gear or a jet boat but the bass fishing down there is great for average size smallies
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