We’re Mark and Gary—two lifelong anglers from North Idaho who started fishing together recently after decades of casting lines on our own. We’ve each been fishing since the early ’90s, but teaming up has taken things to a whole new level. What began as casual bass fishing at Fernan Lake quickly turned into a full-blown obsession. This year’s all about adventure, and you’ll find us kayak fishing North Idaho with friends, rain or shine.
After getting hooked on bass, we moved on to channel catfish and started exploring kayak camping. When the cold set in, we chased winter trout right up until the lakes froze—and once they did, we learned to ice fish. Now we fish year-round, constantly adapting our gear and tactics to match the season.
North Idaho Kayak Fishing and Beyond
From the calm corners of Fernan to the deeper basins of Hayden Lake and Lake Coeur d’Alene, we’ve been fishing anywhere we can launch a kayak, paddle a canoe, or cast from shore. North Idaho kayak fishing has become our favorite way to explore the region—whether we’re chasing trout, stalking bass, or trolling deep for Chinook.
Along the way, we’ve dealt with everything from sonar hiccups and lost combos to unexpected thunderstorms. But every trip pushes us to learn something new—and that’s the heart of this site.
Chasing Bigger Challenges
Our latest focus has been kokanee and Chinook salmon. These species have added a whole new level of complexity to our fishing—trolling speeds, line angles, sonar tuning, and more. And when winter rolls around, we’re out on the ice with an auger and a thermos, dialing in our ice fishing setups on North Idaho’s mountain lakes.
We’re not new to fishing—but we’re always learning new waters, new techniques, and smarter ways to rig and fish from our kayaks.
What You’ll Find Here
FishyNW.com is our digital tackle box:
- Fishing reports from lakes like Fernan, Hayden, and CDA
- Gear reviews and kayak rigging upgrades
- DIY projects for customizing your fishing setup
Whether you’re brand new to fishing or just new to North Idaho, we hope our adventures give you something useful (or at least entertaining).
Let’s Fish
Thanks for stopping by. We’re always adding new videos, blog posts, and gear walkthroughs as we keep exploring. If you’ve got tips, ideas, or want to collaborate—drop us a line.
Tight lines,
Mark & Gary
