Redds in the snake river question

[dustponds10]

Ok I am really wanting to go to the south fork tomarrow but I do know that the browns are spawning. That is one of the reasons that I would like to go. What I need to know is where do browns like to spawn? I dont want to come across a redd and smash it and kill all the eggs. Any help would be awsome. Thanks Dustin
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[windriver]

Redds are kind of a touchy subject with a lot of people. When the browns are on their redds they are very vulnerable and easy to catch. The problem is it is difficult to fish for them without disturbing them. Even if you are very careful some lerker who does not give back to the board will go tromping through the area. I personally do not know the exact location of good redds. I have gotten lucky a couple of times catching them in large groups as they are heading for their spawning grounds. Maybe someone will be willing to to inform both of us more on this subject. If you know exact locations I would keep it to P.M.s or your future fishing could be at stake.

Just my two cents

Windriver
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[me_and_myboy]

Just curious, what is a redd? I have seen pics of kokanee that have turned red, but it sounds like you are talking about Browns. Forgive my ignorance, we are still learning all the different fisheries available in our new home state and we certainly don't want to do anything that might damage future fisheries.

Many thanks.
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[remo_5_0]

Redds are spawning beds for fish, you can usually see them in shallow water, it will be an area of gravel that the fish have made into a spawning area, usually the fish are right on the Redds during the spawn. They usually are a light colored area of gravel that stand out in the darker river bottoms.
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[packfish]

A lot of the browns spawn that 1/2 mile below the dam.
I personally don't fish many fish during the spawn and that's just a personal preference - nothing more. With that being said unless you bring the Idaho Falls marching band with you and have them perform on that section you aren't going to do anything the over all brown trout spawn.
I'm not being an ass here- just stating plain biological facts- I don't walk over the redds and they are very easy to spot- those clean areas over the gravel where everything else isn't most likely are redds. Here is a link to some bull trout redd pictures.
[url "http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/FieldOffices/LaGrande/BullTroutMonitoring/default.asp"][/url]http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/FieldOffices/LaGrande/BullTroutMonitoring/default.asp[/url]
Now something like the Bull trout tramping over those would be detrimental but the prolific browns- you aren't going to hurt the over-all spawn 1 iota- you might though get into an argument with some other fisherman.
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[flygoddess]

I am no biologist, so I won't make a stick of what you posted. But, with the growing number of FISHERMEN/WOMEN, I would and do respect the REDDS.
I would much rather CONTROL the fish population with one on the end of my line them millions on the soles of my boots.

I will agree there are several waters that REALLY require Harvesting on a different note.
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[me_and_myboy]

Very interesting. I appreciate the information. On the east coast fishing for "bedding" fish is considered poor form unless talking about the bluegill which spawn off-and-on for several months each spring/summer.

We will be on the look out for these Redds. I have to agree with Flygoddess about not wanting to kill a bunch of eggs or fry with my boots.
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[packfish]

Without a doubt don't be an idiot about it, I have always said the greatest thing you can have going for you whether it be fishing, hunting, investing or playing go fish- is knowledge about what you are doing- learn everything you possibly can. I didn't mean to say screw the redds- but I guess I have heard this story so many damn times that I came off wrong. Everyone should make an effort not to destroy spawning beds- like I said I don't fish spawning trout- that's pretty much 100% not destroying any redds. My point is that every single BROWN trout does not have to have a successful spawn to perpetuate the species. I have watched guys jump all over newer fisherman for supposedly doing this and reading them the riot act about how they personally just wiped out the river, After talking with them I found they were just spouting off about what they really knew little about because they had heard someone else spout off about it. Be intelligent about what you do but again if you make a mistake and fall in the river and roll down through a spawning bed and you crawl your way out disturbing a Brown TROUT spawning bed- don't sell your rod and give up fishing because of it. Another beef I have is that and I know it's because the browns are so visible- rarely do you hear someone talking about destroying redds when it comes to other species of trout. What I want out of everyone wanting to be a serious fisherman is for them to read and bone up on everything about the sport er life style- because that's is what it becomes a life style not a sport. Sure ask on the internet but go a little further and dig a little deeper- Library- books, stop and watch fisherman and don't even fish. Just like anything else you don't become good at what you do the first time you do it. You'll find that your learning curve about everything you do just got cut in half.
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[windriver]

I was not implying that fishing on a redd would end the species ( maybe I came across stronger than I intended) I was simply saying that fishing for browns at this time of year is a popular thing to do. The people who contribute to this board for the most part are responsible people are trying to learn as much as possible about their hobby or sport.

I was just saying it might be a bad idea to publish an exact redd out on an open forum like this where there are so many who take and do not contribute. Look at how many people who have viewed this thread without adding to the discussion. That is their right, but I would reserve exact redds to PMs.

I fish the area below the dam on occasion. That spot is no secret and you will likely be joined by 20 other anglers on any given evening during this time of year. It can be a lot of fun.

I hope everyone feels welcome to ask questions on this board. Helping each other learn is the whole point of logging on to a site like this.

Windriver
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[dustponds10]

Yeah, I was only realy wanting to know what to look for. I didnt want anyone to tell me where there spot was. I did find a great place where the browns were spawning and wow were there alot. I didnt fish for the ones that were on or by the gravel it was neat to watch them though. On the other note I did catch fish. A whole lot of stinking white fish. All i am going to say is at least my rod was bent and i was catching something. Thanks for all the great info and I will post more questions when I have them. Dustin
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[prvrt]

I was below the dam Saturday. We fished for about 4 hours there wading back and forth across the river. Never seen any reds or browns. Water was quite murky. I did catch 2 cut throats, but everything else was white fish. Seemed pretty slow compared to past trips. Did not help having my fly rod freeze up every 2 minutes either. I did catch fish, but came home empty handed.
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[windriver]

Nothing like clearing ice out of guides at this time of year.[sly]
Windriver
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[Belasko]

I was up by the dam fishing on Friday with a couple friends and it was definately slow for this time of year. The water was probably the murkiest I've ever seen it. They wouldn't hit lures at all for us. We did do OK with bait but they were almost all cutties. We did catch 1 brown that was keeper size but the other 3 were all around 14" or less. A few people were catching on the far side but overall it looked like a slow day.
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[Soft_Plastics]

I fished it Tuesday, and it was pretty slow. My brother was able to land a really nice fat cutbow that was 23''. We only saw a couple of areas where there were spawners, but there was a ton of fish in those spots, with some reall monsters. Good luck trying to catch them. I have never seen fish so spooky. we would be to far away to cast to them and they would be darting off like a shot. The only way that we got a good look at them was when we were floating past and they were heading for deeper water, so they would come towards the boat.
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