BVFF sponsors several angler challenges as part of the BVFF Education and Conservation programs.  These challenges are designed to give BVFF members another reason to go fishing and to build fellowship among the members, as well as learn more about the native trout and other fish species found in and around Idaho.

There are currently five challenges.  BVFF members completing any or all of the challenges will receive a certificate and be identified on the BVFF website in recognition of their achievement.  Information on each of these challenges can be found by following the individual challenge page links.

BVFF Idaho Arctic Grayling Challenge:

Catch and release an Arctic Graying within the State of Idaho with a fly with a barbless hook using fly tackle.

BVFF 20/20 Club:

Catch and release a 20 inch fish of any species on a size 20 or smaller fly with a barbless hook using fly tackle.

BVFF Popper-Slam Challenge:

Catch and release a Largemouth Bass, a Smallmouth Bass, a Bluegill, and a Crappie using a top water fly and fly tackle.

BVFF Idaho Cutt-Slam Challenge:

Catch and release 4 native subspecies of cutthroat trout using fly tackle and single barbless hooks.

Idaho State Record Challenge:

Break one of the Idaho Catch & Release records for any fish using fly tackle.

Whitefish Derby:

This is an annual outing event and a challenge, and has been a traditional outing since the founding of BVFF.  One winner each year is honored for catching the largest whitefish during the derby period.  In recent years it has included both an outing event and a virtual derby time period to address concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic.

PLANNING YOUR CHALLENGE:

IDFG has created an online planning tool for finding a location in Idaho that will provide your best opportunity for catching a target species.  The fishing planner provides interactive information for locations, species observed or stocked, stocking history, and topographical maps on the locations.

Note that the BVFF native angler challenges are for native trout species, but are not currently restricted to catching them in native waters.  IDFG stocks many high mountain lakes which are not historical environments for these Idaho native species.

• IDFG Idaho Planning Tool
• IDFG Idaho Planning Tool:  Tutorial on Using the Tool (Video)
• IDFG Fishing & Boating Access Guide

CHALLENGE TIPS:

Map of Native Trout Waters:  IDAHO

Appropriate advice for any of these challenges, Daniel Ritz (Trout Unlimited:  Ted Trueblood Chapter) offers these tips after completing the Western Native Trout Challenge in 2021.

Travel Tips:  Try Your Own Idaho Native Trout Road Trip  Daniel Ritz (Nov 2021)

Other Western Native Trout Challenge News:

• First Female Expert Level
• Goals  May 2021  Daniel Ritz
• Conservation, Bull Trout  Daniel Ritz
• First Junior Expert Level
• First Advanced Level
• First Expert Level
• Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout  Phil Monahan
• Greenback Cutthroat Trout  Phil Monahan
• Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Phil Monahan
• Rainbow Trout  Phil Monahan