Idaho Kings?

[maghunter]

Anybody have any pointers for some rookies looking to maybe catch an Idaho King. Caught my first steelhead this year and was thinking of maybe trying for Salmon. I've fished for them in Alaska, but just wondering what the normal setup and bait people use here in Idaho. When can you normally count on good Salmon fishing around Salmon? Thanks for any info.
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[redbeard1]

As far as I know, we're lucky to get a decent season around salmon, but as for riggins it's usually around the end of may, first of june, as for bait, the same type stuff as steelhead, instead of roe i just use yarn and do pretty good. I hope we can start getting a good season soon around salmon, just cause I love the country and fishing is a little more spread out.
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[SteelieNut]

Head for Riggins in May, you'll want a MH or Heavy rod and a big reel. Crank your drag down tight and spool it with 30 to 40 # test. That's for the Little Salmon anyway, if you fish the Main you can downsize. If you hit the fish, it'll be pretty fast fishin'. Just be ready for some COMBAT fishin', it gets crowded down there....but it's worth it. Like RB1 said, fish like steelhead only everything is bigger. Oh, and take a TON of lead. You'll use about 6" on the little salmon!
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[Pointerpride102]

For the guys that have fished the salmon run in the past, is the run better in May or June? I've got to coordinate with work on when I can go, so trying to gauge when would be a better time to go.
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[maghunter]

Thanks for the info. I haven't decided if I want to go or not. I've caught tons of Kings in Alaska already and never saw another fishermen except the people I was with. So I am not sure if I want to drive hundreds of miles and cross lines all day with other people just to maybe hook a few fish. On the other hand fishing is fishing and catching a King in Idaho is something I've always wanted to do. Maybe this will help me decide, how do they fight compared to our steelhead? What is the average size?
How do they taste? Thanks again.
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[SteelieNut]

I think I will go the last week of May, then hopefully I will hit the main surge of fish. You're pretty safe to go anywhere between May 15ish all the way to July.
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[SteelieNut]

The fight doesn't compare to steelhead, it's like hooking a passing car in your back cast (on the Little Salmon anyway). One year they were close to 20# average, some caught were 35# +. Most years they're about 12# or so. They taste awesome, especially smoked.
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[redbeard1]

Last i went was around the first of june, and it was good, I limited out one morning in about three hours. Hope you hit it right, and good luck.
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[chrome_junky]

so salmon and challis never get the kings? cause i really want to fish for them this summer but it will limit how much i get to go if it is to riggins every time.
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[jigs]

challis gets them but they dont allow fishing. Last year they had a season from challis up to the sawtooth hatchery. i could be wrong that it was from challis could of been the east fork. but it was the first time in 25 lb.
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[Pointerpride102]

Thanks for the tip, I was hoping someone would say the last week of May to early June. I think I'm going to plan on fishing the 27, 28, 29 of May. If anyone would want to meet up, I'd love to meet some of you guys.
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[ductaped4runner]

From what i understand and what i have been hearing we are supsose to have a record salmon run. i heard this from some high end guys one of which was a marine bioligist. but i'm not sure. they could of just been blowin smoke. so yeah i hope that they get a run in challis. that would be nice it would make it easy for me to go. riggins would be fun though. so yeah i'm still workin on landin my first steelhead. i'm hopin that i get that chance this weekend but we will find out. i know that if i keep goin that sooner or later that it will all fall into place. i would really like to hook into to somethin they sound fun..
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[lurtch]

im looking at the posts...it all seems kind of different to me..our salmon run always comes in the fall..sept..throu..oct..cohos first then the kings.big ones too..in november the winter steelhead run starts and the browns start spawning..in may were still geting the end of the steelhead run..
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[jigs]

[quote ductaped4runner]From what i understand and what i have been hearing we are supsose to have a record salmon run. i heard this from some high end guys one of which was a marine bioligist. but i'm not sure. they could of just been blowin smoke. so yeah i hope that they get a run in challis. that would be nice it would make it easy for me to go. riggins would be fun though. so yeah i'm still workin on landin my first steelhead. i'm hopin that i get that chance this weekend but we will find out. i know that if i keep goin that sooner or later that it will all fall into place. i would really like to hook into to somethin they sound fun..[/quote]

I heard this same thing earlier in the year but from what the f&g page said it is expecting 105k hatcher and 23k wild . Last year they had 89k 2007 they had 40k 2006- 37k . So the best we have had in years but nothing like 2001 and 2002 if i remember right they had like 180k,
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[Rockjmpr]

Hey are you guys talking about the Little Salmon, end of May begining June?

Where is the best place to find them end of April, begining May??
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[Got_Bait]

lower columbia/lower snake
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[Rockjmpr]

Hey thanks a ton, The Lower Columbia/Snake is for early Kings right?
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[Rockjmpr]

redbeard, you mentioned what river should I focus on in the Riggins area end Aril? do you think they will be up high enough to be in the South Fork Clearwater?
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[Rockjmpr]

Man, I just asked redbeard a question and saw the answer in your post. Wanted to know what rivers around Riggins...So is the Soouth Fork Clearwater any less crowded than the main?
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[Pointerpride102]

Sorry guys, I apologize from my lack of knowledge...you stick a Wisconsin guy out west and they get a bit lost.

My plan is to drive up to Riggins from UT on May 27 and fish through the 29th. What river would I be fishing for the Kings, I'm a little on that?

Also, are there areas to set up a tent for free or limited fee? Possibly right along the river? Thanks for the help guys, it is greatly appreciated.
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