Fishing Forum

I made it back up to Challis and finally figured a few things out. I did pretty well compared to the last trip and I can't wait to get some on these fish on the grill. We checked out the Pasimeroi fish hatchery which was cool. Quite a few fish there and very nice size to them.
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I only landed 1 wild about 28", which is ok with me. The smallest fish was the last fish which was 27.5". The rest were 31.5"- 36". No Jacks. I landed all the fish I hooked thanks to ChromeJunky mentioning that 15lb line was to small and Perry3 mentioning to set the hook hard. The new hooks I bought helped also. No problems with 30lb leader and 40lb Spider wire.
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We ended up bringing 5 home. We caught all the fish in the same place (thanks to a few BFTers, I appreciate the tips).
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It was a very nice weekend other than it did get a little hot. Once I figured a few things out I could land a few fish before 9am and head back to the A/C to stay cool, then head out again in the evening. There was some wild life running around and got a few good pics.

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I still do not care for the combat fishing as I did run into a few people who were *********. I did fish along side a few guys at Deer Gulch that were great tho. They helped land fish and were quite respectful of others which made the trip even better. I enjoyed the company and not sure if they were from BFT or not. I did learn I do need a bigger reel on the Steelhead rod. The Ugly Stik performed great, but the Flueger reel I bought just about snapped on the 36"er. I love the reel, but I need a bigger one for those size of fish. We did have some spare time so we did a little driving around and ended up at Mosquito Flats Res. There is some awesome scenery in that area.
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Overall it was one of the best fishing trips this year. We did have a little drama as we got a phone call saying our daughter was in the hospital. Seems she wrecked during an endurance motocross race. She is fine with only a few bruised and maybe cracked ribs. She is tough tho. Finished the race after the wreck and still took first.

I can't wait for Steelhead season!!!

PS. I forgot to mention that it is looking like the upper part of the river to Stanley may be closing soon. The lower part around the Pasimeroi should be ok for maybe another week. Check the F&G website if you decide to head out.
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Heck yeah prvrt glad to see you nailed some fish what did you think of there power pretty tough fish huh? What did you pick your fish up on?
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They are strong.They are like pulling in a boat anchor until they get closer to you then they figure out what is going on and then they run and just peel the line off. I have caught bigger salmon. The largest when I was in Alaska I caught was 42lbs. Roe is what I caught most on. The 36" was on Tuna.

After talking with a few friends from work today, I may head back up next weekend again for some more fun. I will see if I can get to Sportsman's and get a bigger reel.

We BBQ'd some fresh salmon last night after I cleaned, filletted, and package the ones we caught. WOW! Nothing tastes better. I need to get the small one in and get it smoked. Can't wait to taste smoked salmon. It has been a long time.
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I had heard a rumor that they are going to close it all on wensday, i am hoping your info is better than mine?
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The F&G website says it will be open at least until Wednesday. They are suppose to make a decision today if they are going to keep it open any longer.

Quote: Date:July 17, 2009Contact:Ed Mitchell
(208) 334-3700


upper salmon river chinook season update

The Chinook salmon fishing season will remain open on the upper Salmon River, upstream of the city of Salmon, through at least Wednesday, July 22. Idaho Fish and Game fishery managers will assess the fishery on Monday for the likelihood of additional fishing days after Wednesday. Anglers already have taken a total of 1,601 adult Chinook salmon, which is about 60 percent of the state's nontribal harvest share in the upper Salmon River.

Hope it stays open one more weekend. They say we are only at 60% of what we can catch so I am thinking positive. Hope they make up there mind soon so I know what I am doing.
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Great report and pictures. I was up there with a guy from work on Friday, we fished from 8 to 8, started at Deadman for a few hours with nothing everybody we talked to there hadn't done any good. So then we went to Tori's hole (I don't know if thats the right spelling or not). Anyways we just watched for a while and one guy pulled in two fish using a big mepps looking lure. A spot opened up so we headed down. After about an hour I hooked into one, I only had ten pound test and a Steelhead rod so I put my rod tip down against the water and pulled sideways on the fishes head, he didn't like that much and actually jumped clear out of the water. It took about 45 seconds to a minute and I had him in. He was right around 30". Then my partner hooked one about an hour later he held his rod in the traditional up position and it really gave him a work out, his rod was bent way over and it took him over ten minutes to get that fish in. It was also about 30". While working in Alaska my boss taught me how to fight big fish with light tackle I caught a 44 pound King on 8 pound test and a trout rod. Next time your hooked into a big fish try pulling on its head sideways and you'll be surprised how easily this wears them out. Of course there is something to be said about having some stout 30 pound test, gives you a lot of peace of mind when you hook into what could be the only fish of the trip.
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Glad to hear you got into them. I also hit Deadman Friday morning after hitting Tory's and Elk Creek. We had to pass each other there some where. I hooked a few in Deadmans the week before but nothing up that way this time around. I did the best down river from Challis.
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If 1605 was 60% of the total harvest quota then 2675 is the total quota. I just looked at the harvest report through the 19th and the total catch is 2792 as of the 19th. So I say call in sick tomorrow to get one last day of fishing in. If they do extend it I bet it will close Friday night.

Great pics again! I like the turkey on the fence pic.

Maghunter is correct. You have a fish stripping line and heading toward the white water downstream you have to go against all you were taught and put your rod tip down on the water surface. The salmon will turn around and swim upstream for some reason (usually).
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I really dig what maghunter and perry are saying on this fish fighting deal. And it definatley is against everything we are usually taught. Most guys that get a salmon (or steelhead) on would be thrilled if you pulled out a ladder for them to stand on - just so they could hold their rod that much higher in the air[laugh]. Thats just making it easier on the fish and harder on yourself. Get some line in the water and make that fish fight all that line in the current too! A real good fisherman taught me back in 2003 when your fish is having a runaway (or anytime you want to get him out of the current and closer to the bank and thus the net) face downstream with your rod pointed downstream and pull towards the bank. Plus keep your rod tip as low as possible without draping your line over the rocks. It's that pulling sideways on his head thing maghunter was talking about. Plus having some line in the water helps keep that barbless hook from coming out of his mouth.
I always offer up this piece of advice when I'm up in Idaho fishing for these Chinook, and somebody has on a salmon that is tearing off a bunch of line running downstream, or just giving them a real tussle. The ones who aren't too stubborn and bullheaded to beleive that they don't already know everything there is to know about getting a fish in the net - and try it out - are always amazed how it magically works.
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I also wanted to thank prvrt for the spectacular report and pics. Those fish look to be in excellent shape considering the weather we have had. I like to wrap mine up in a nice dry pillowcase, bed sheet, or towel, to help keep them dry and slime free. But it's obvious that they were kept pretty dry and very cold! Nice work!
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Thanks guys for the kind words. I am heading back up Thursday for the weekend. (Hint, Hint) I will have to see if I can remember to try putting the tip down when a fish runs. You guys are right that it is against every thing I have learned. I did learn tho that after hooking a salmon and setting the hook good to turn my rod side ways(horizontal) pointing towards the bank with the tip down some what and that seemed to help get them out of the current quite a bit faster. If not, they will just sit there in the current and you can not budge them. If you do this to fast tho, they seem to actually run to the bank and then straight at you headed up river. I had three do that to me. They will also run for the nearest cover which in my case was a downed tree on the edge of the river about 5' out. Had 2 run into that tree, but saved them both. Quite bizare.
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