Do the steelhead make it as far south as Challis? Looking on the map it looks like there should be great access between Challis and Salmon but all I read about is water north and west of Salmon. Why is that?
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The bulk of the fish are still downstream. I have fished as far as 20 miles south of Challis at the end of April.
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i will start fishing in challis in 2 weeks and yes the fish make it to challis and above that.
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there are fish there already, but like he said most of the fish are still down stream around the northfork area. but they are still catching a good share at the fish hatchery below challis. and i am sure you would have less of a crowd than downriver
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That is what I was thinking too. More water equals fewer crowds equals fewer chances for me and my son to bother people who know what they are doing!
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Good luck this weekend and let us know how you do.
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There is a hatchery up near the headwaters, outside of Stanley, so there will be fish all through the system soon. Hatchery fish will either be heading to Pahsimeroi or Stanley, and a lot of wild fish will spawn in the river from Challis to Stanley... lots of places to fish. However, I expect we will start to see some combat fishing soon, especially around the Pahsimeroi. We've been catching decent numbers of fish around Challis for about a month now.
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Been kinda quiet lately on the SH posts. Did things slow down? or are people keeping quiet? I am going to head up tomorrow to Challis and try again. Sooner or later I will hook one. Maybe trip number 3 is the the lucky number.
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Been too busy...can never decide whether to horn hunt or steelhead fish. Floated behind town yesterday with significant other and friend...I landed two and friend landed two, significant other starting to get disgusted! But he did catch a booner sucker and a bull trout. Absolutely no other boat and just four other bank fishermen...nice!
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"can never decide whether to horn hunt or steelhead fish."
Always steelhead fish
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My son and I made it up to Salmon late Saturday evening and began fishing early Sunday morning. We wanted to avoid the crowds so we started out on a stretch of river just north of Salmon. I managed to hook up once (I never even felt the bite) but the fish got off before I got him to shore. We continued to fish that same stretch of water until noon when we decided to head down river. We found dutch oven but decided to drive on past when we saw how many people where crammed into that stretch. We didn't have any more hook ups or bites the rest of the day but we did see a ton of wildlife and just really enjoyed hanging out together. Sunday morning we left the hotel long before daylight and made our way up to the apple orchard. My son landed a small 13 inch rainbow and I landed a similarly sized rainbow, sucker and a STEELIE! In spite of its size it was a hard fighter with nice color. I went off and left the camera in the truck and did not have the energy to go get it. The fish was hardly photo worthy. However, we were very pleased to be able to go home without being totally skunked.
We loved the trip and met many nice people (no BFTers I don't think.[frown]) The area is simply the most beautiful I can imagine. We saw several herds of elk, deer and mountain goats. And of course the river. So much to be thankful for. We will definetly return at the first opportunity. The trip was a success thanks to the great tips and help we received on this forum. Thanks to everyone who has shared their stories and tips.
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As far as I'm concerned, getting out in nature and seeing all of God's beauty is the reason to fish. Bringing home the fish is just icing on the cake. Every time I go to Salmon I am just amazed at the rugged beauty of it all and the wildlife that lives there.
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Well the place to be yesterday was at the foot of the Main Street bridge in Salmon. I saw over 30 steelhead come out of that hole in under 45 minutes yesterday morning, right before sunrise. My buddy who uses gear had 8 on and landed a few.
As I don't like elbow to elbow combat fishing, and as I swing a fly I didn't participate. Still good fishing in spots between Salmon and NF. We floated down to Carmen and had some success.
Next time I go I will most likely fish between Salmon and Challis, if not above Challis.
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im heading up in the morning. i think we will end up down in the canyon, i know most the good fishing is higher up river but they are still doing good downstream. if anyone is going down that way this weekend look for a red stroker with tnt on the side i will more than likly be close by. we will probly be around the clams hole to ebineizer.
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I am going in the morning also.Will be below Spring Creek campground tossing a float. Black GMC with matching shell
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