Fishing Forum

Seeking some knowledge from those of you with experience about steelheading on the Salmon in the spring, after the ice breaks up in the river.

I am a fly fisherman whose steelhead experience is limited to the few I caught during this past October's fabulous run.

What types of patterns should I use? Mainly eggs and roe clusters or do I still swing the various spey style flies I used in the fall?

Where should I go? Lower river below Salmon or around Challis, or even Stanley?

Are the fish that have wintered under the ice worth eating or are they too soft?

Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks
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do exactly what you did in the fall. the steelhead will still hit the same stuff you throw at them in the fall. the thing that will change what you throw at them is water conditions like color and how high the water is. cloudy or clear skys. anyways thats how i choose what im gonna fish with. ill be out there all spring so mabey we can run into each other. oh and those fish that have wintered under the ice are still great to eat.
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Thanks for the info!

Do I want to stick to below salmon like I did in the fall or am I correct in assuming that many fish have moved up to the skinnier water past Challis?

Thanks.
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early on there are still plenty of fish below challis but as the water warms they will move in a hurry. watch the counts going into the hatchery's and the hours per fish numbers on the f&g site. i am guessing as many fish as there are that there will be fish about anywere you fish this spring
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I saw a bunch of fishermen between Salmon and Challis today, don't know what the target was. One did have a big rod, though.
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only ppl crazy enough to be out there would be a steelhead fisherman i imagine. not sure if trout closes threw that stretch but most areas arnt open for anything other than a chromer.
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Maybe it was whitefish. Time to go fishing.
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i would stick to bellow salmon right now until the river has its first blow out. the weekend after the blow out fish should start moving into the challis area.

i am starting to get the bug bad. i was gonna head out this weekend or next but i went steelheading last valentines weekend and i dont think my wife would be able to handle another one. so probably the weekend of the 19-21 i will be bellow shoup jif any one else wants to go you are more than welcome to split gas and hotel room fees with a buddy of mine and i.
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A buddy and I are also heading up there soon. Probably the 10-13th. Wish us luck!
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Hi all-new here, and signed up so I could answer this- you all have been such a help in finding good new ice fishing spots... I work at the sports shop in Challis, and really, I'm not trying to plug the business, but you need to give us call for up-to-date steelhead info. The river is in really good shape from Challis to Salmon, and people are catching fish. Not lots, as water temps are still low, but the fish are there. And the benefit is less fisherman. There will be combat fishing come the middle of March. Black streamer patterns are great all the time, and when the fish start spawning- mid March through the end of the season- egg patterns. And if you need to know how to catch a sucker- I am a pro! Shop number is 208-879-2500, you should check river conditions before making the trip.
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When you say you know how to catch a sucker are you talking about fish or fishermen? LOL Welcome to the forum and thanks beforehand for the time you will spend answering our questions.
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i was actualy thinking of going for a ride next eweekend to fish at ellis for a while. i have the itch also. i think i have tied enough flies for a half dozen seasons just cant wait to get up there.
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let me know ill throw down some gas money if they are already catching fish in challis
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While I appreciate the offer (help to catch suckers) I am not sure I need it. During the fall I caught exactly as many suckers as I did steelhead. 2 each.


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I can vouch for Aintnonookie, he can put you right on fish... I drove up from Utah last weekend and he put right on the spot.... 6 pound sucker... But seriously, the steelies are in there and the river is open, just cold and you have to hit them right in the lips to get one. I lost one and saw one other caught on Sat.
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I was in oriphino last week. Awsome b run. Any idea when the ice is going to break at deadwater this year. I live in montana and we are still in deep freeze.
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Actually the B-Run around Orofino is considerably less than it has been in years past. If you have any experience side drifting in years past this time of year you could very easily get into twenty plus fish a day this time of year with a couple buddies in the sled. That is not the case this year although there have been a couple of days with phenominal fishing.............
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Last week was my first on the Clearwater. I musta hit a good day.
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Hey all-
Just got back from work, and lots of people going steelhead fishing. Not normal for this time of year, but then the river isn't usually so clear of ice. Hearing of a few fish caught, Bone14 is right- gotta hit them on the nose. However, Bone14, I am the she at the store...
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Fairly new to steel fishing. Last year i hooked 3 seelheads and landed one. And now im addicted! [] how do you guys like to rig you lines? I have seen ppl who have use two hooks. And was wondering what you guys do? Also where can you buy stuff in bulk? like Corkies, and flys?
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