Salmon River Ice Question

[SatchSquatch]

Any updates on the ice on the salmon? When are the best predictions of this year's breakup? I have heard it should be sometime in the next week or so. I'm from out of state and like to make the trip once a year but timing is critical for me (as with anyone else) as it's a long drive. I want to give myself the best chance at getting into some steelhead because I only get one shot at it.

Thanks in advance!

[2dogs]

You can forget about ice at SFCR. I know some guys that have been float tubing down there for a week now.
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[curt69]

He is talking about the Salmon River .
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[ridcbr]

March is a good time to go
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[SatchSquatch]

I'm trying to decide which weekend in March. I'm trying to gauge when the ice is going to clear out then allow some time for the water to clear up. It would be nice to live closer so I could just go up on any given weekend, but that's not the case. I have to make a best guess and plan it a couple weeks out.

Thanks again.

[Fishaholicsteve]

As of Thursday 2/20 ice is backed up clear to 4th of july creek. Unless the temperatures rise drastically I would guess we are still 2-3 weeks beforedead water breaks.
On a side note the road from N. Fork down the canyon is VERY bad! Be cautious if you go any time soon.
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[SteelFisher]

I usually plan to go between March 15 - 20. We usually have good fishing during that time every year.
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[1idahoguy]

[quote Fishaholicsteve]As of Thursday 2/20 ice is backed up clear to 4th of july creek. Unless the temperatures rise drastically I would guess we are still 2-3 weeks beforedead water breaks.
On a side note the road from N. Fork down the canyon is VERY bad! Be cautious if you go any time soon.[/quote]

Bad as in ?? Snowy, muddy, slushy, potholes, washouts? Just curious.
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[Fishaholicsteve]

Bad as in VERY icey, not maintained at all, and HUGE boulders in the middle of the road. There is tons of game so taking it slow isn't a bad thing, but I found myself nearly running into the river gawking at the locals. (Deer and Elk)
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[sneekee_1]

If you had to guess; what do you think the catch rate per hour was when you fished? How was the water conditions and are the fish pooled up in the wintering holes or are they moving up?
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[Fishaholicsteve]

It was difficult to find fishable water. My guess is that the holes that can be fished are closer to Salmon, and as a result have been fished a lot by the locals. The fish should be holding in pools as there are many ice jams from N. Fork back to at least Panther Creek. I didn't go all the way to Corn Creek so I don't know how the water looks that far down river. As far as catch rates, I never touched a fish, but I was only able to hit a few holes close to the town of Salmon. My guess is that by the 2nd week of March fishing should be good. I am thinking deadwater will blow about the 10th. If you want to know honest water conditions call the North Fork store. They have a pool on when it will blow out and keep a close eye on it.
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