08-08-2012, 03:54 AM
Ok guys here's what I got in my email
the graph did not transfer but you'll get the idea hope this helps
SB
Hi all, I thought I’d stick to my promise and give you an update on the Steelhead fishing in the Clearwater River. As most of you are aware, catch-and-release steelhead season opened in the Clearwater River on July 1 and on August 1, the harvest season opened from the mouth to Memorial Bridge. Fishing has been fairly slow for this time of year although people are catching some. I even talked to a couple people who caught and harvested a salmon (before salmon season closed on Aug 5) while fishing for steelhead.
If you are wondering why the fishing has been slower than normal, here is what I know. A good number of steelhead (almost 27,000 fish) have made it over McNary Dam (last Dam on Columbia before these fish enter the Snake), but very few of these fish are entering the Snake. Ice Harbor Dam is the first Dam on the Snake, and to date, only 4,385 summer steelhead have passed over this dam which is considerably lower than the 10-year average (15,208). The reason for this delay appears to be water temperatures. The water temperature in the Columbia River above the Snake is running about 18.5°C which is more than 3°C (5.5°F) colder than water temperatures in the Snake River (21.6°C). When water temperatures start approaching 22°C, steelhead tend to stop migrating. It appears all we can do at this point is wait for cooler water temperatures. Fish will continue to trickle upstream, but when water temperatures cool, get ready, because a whole lot of fish will be coming over all at once.
I have attached a graph below to show how steelhead counts at McNary Dam and Ice Harbor Dam are comparing to the five year average.
[img]cid:image001.png@01CD73BD.50A47220[/img]
On a positive note, one can fish the lower Clearwater with very little pressure and still have a chance of catching a fish. I took my kids out yesterday and we could sling lines all over the place without any worries of snagging anybody else.
I hope your summer is going well.
Joe DuPont
Clearwater Region Fishery Manager
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
3316 16th Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
(208) 799-5010
joe.dupont@idfg.idaho.gov
[signature]
the graph did not transfer but you'll get the idea hope this helps
SB
Hi all, I thought I’d stick to my promise and give you an update on the Steelhead fishing in the Clearwater River. As most of you are aware, catch-and-release steelhead season opened in the Clearwater River on July 1 and on August 1, the harvest season opened from the mouth to Memorial Bridge. Fishing has been fairly slow for this time of year although people are catching some. I even talked to a couple people who caught and harvested a salmon (before salmon season closed on Aug 5) while fishing for steelhead.
If you are wondering why the fishing has been slower than normal, here is what I know. A good number of steelhead (almost 27,000 fish) have made it over McNary Dam (last Dam on Columbia before these fish enter the Snake), but very few of these fish are entering the Snake. Ice Harbor Dam is the first Dam on the Snake, and to date, only 4,385 summer steelhead have passed over this dam which is considerably lower than the 10-year average (15,208). The reason for this delay appears to be water temperatures. The water temperature in the Columbia River above the Snake is running about 18.5°C which is more than 3°C (5.5°F) colder than water temperatures in the Snake River (21.6°C). When water temperatures start approaching 22°C, steelhead tend to stop migrating. It appears all we can do at this point is wait for cooler water temperatures. Fish will continue to trickle upstream, but when water temperatures cool, get ready, because a whole lot of fish will be coming over all at once.
I have attached a graph below to show how steelhead counts at McNary Dam and Ice Harbor Dam are comparing to the five year average.
[img]cid:image001.png@01CD73BD.50A47220[/img]
On a positive note, one can fish the lower Clearwater with very little pressure and still have a chance of catching a fish. I took my kids out yesterday and we could sling lines all over the place without any worries of snagging anybody else.
I hope your summer is going well.
Joe DuPont
Clearwater Region Fishery Manager
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
3316 16th Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
(208) 799-5010
joe.dupont@idfg.idaho.gov
[signature]