04-03-2008, 03:00 AM
Hey Fishsmelon,
You won't need a 4x4. All the good rivers are along major highways. As Iliketofish said, most places are not close to Boise. Riggins is about the closest with a 3 hour drive and you can probably sleep in a tent this time of year. The town of Salmon is probably closer to six hours this time of year. We used to make day trips to Riggins and Stanley which made for a long day. I've never fished down by Salmon or Challis just because of the distance. Perhaps you can tent it this time of the year. YOu definitely can't at Stanley. A motel is the best bet now that I'm a bit older.
Have you fished for steelhead or salmon? It may take you a few trips to figure it out. Find the groups of steelheaders and watch them for awhile to get an idea. This time of year when the snow starts to melt it may be tough fishing. High muddy water is a waste of time. For one, you are fishing the very bottom and it's hard to get to in high water, secondly, you want the fish to see your presentation! I called Riggins tackle shop on a Friday night and conditions were good, the next morning when we rolled into town the water was as muddy as a milkshake, things can change overnight.
The closest places to fish is Riggins, either along the Little Salmon North of New Meadows or down at the main Salmon River at the park in the middle of town, or Shorts Bar just upstream from town with many holes above and below.
I always check out the F&G's weekly report before I go, anything under 10 hours is usually awesome fishing. We hook into quite a few more than one in that 10 hour span. They cruise upstream in schools, find the 10 hour per fish report, lots of anglers, and that's where the school was last week. Looks like the main Salmon River North of Stanley below where the Pahsimeroi River empties into it is the best bet, however a long drive. There is a hatchery on the Pahsimeroi and that may be where most of the fish are headed. I have done well upstream from there below Sunbeam Dam, Four Aces Hole and where Redfish Creek empties into the Salmon River this time of year. There is another hatchery just upstream from Redfish Lake where schools and are also headed. Wild steelhead will continue upstream as the Salmon River continues towards the base of Galena Summit.
Spring steelhead I use a corky, yarn and and a good sized gob of salmon roe wrapped inside nyon stockings or roe netting.
Be sure to call the local tackle shop for water conditions and where to go the day before you head out!! They also have daily reports from fisherman. When you get there, stop in and buy a couple rolls of lead from the tackle shop and ask them where you should go from there. If you haven't fished steelhead, ask them to show you the setup.
The best holes always have a bunch of people fishing them. Watch for a lot of cars parked along the highway. You have to get used to fishing shoulder to shoulder which really isn't too bad after you get accustomed to it. You can find new friends, watch others catching fish and learn from them, or seeing fish being caught boosts your confidence level and is always fun. I sometimes try to find a good hole up or downstream from where everyone else is fishing however.
Sorry for the long rant. I could have gone on much longer! Dang, now you've got me wanting to go. Good luck! Let us know how you did. Here's the weekly harvest website: [url "http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/weekly_harv.cfm"]http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/weekly_harv.cfm[/url]
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You won't need a 4x4. All the good rivers are along major highways. As Iliketofish said, most places are not close to Boise. Riggins is about the closest with a 3 hour drive and you can probably sleep in a tent this time of year. The town of Salmon is probably closer to six hours this time of year. We used to make day trips to Riggins and Stanley which made for a long day. I've never fished down by Salmon or Challis just because of the distance. Perhaps you can tent it this time of the year. YOu definitely can't at Stanley. A motel is the best bet now that I'm a bit older.
Have you fished for steelhead or salmon? It may take you a few trips to figure it out. Find the groups of steelheaders and watch them for awhile to get an idea. This time of year when the snow starts to melt it may be tough fishing. High muddy water is a waste of time. For one, you are fishing the very bottom and it's hard to get to in high water, secondly, you want the fish to see your presentation! I called Riggins tackle shop on a Friday night and conditions were good, the next morning when we rolled into town the water was as muddy as a milkshake, things can change overnight.
The closest places to fish is Riggins, either along the Little Salmon North of New Meadows or down at the main Salmon River at the park in the middle of town, or Shorts Bar just upstream from town with many holes above and below.
I always check out the F&G's weekly report before I go, anything under 10 hours is usually awesome fishing. We hook into quite a few more than one in that 10 hour span. They cruise upstream in schools, find the 10 hour per fish report, lots of anglers, and that's where the school was last week. Looks like the main Salmon River North of Stanley below where the Pahsimeroi River empties into it is the best bet, however a long drive. There is a hatchery on the Pahsimeroi and that may be where most of the fish are headed. I have done well upstream from there below Sunbeam Dam, Four Aces Hole and where Redfish Creek empties into the Salmon River this time of year. There is another hatchery just upstream from Redfish Lake where schools and are also headed. Wild steelhead will continue upstream as the Salmon River continues towards the base of Galena Summit.
Spring steelhead I use a corky, yarn and and a good sized gob of salmon roe wrapped inside nyon stockings or roe netting.
Be sure to call the local tackle shop for water conditions and where to go the day before you head out!! They also have daily reports from fisherman. When you get there, stop in and buy a couple rolls of lead from the tackle shop and ask them where you should go from there. If you haven't fished steelhead, ask them to show you the setup.
The best holes always have a bunch of people fishing them. Watch for a lot of cars parked along the highway. You have to get used to fishing shoulder to shoulder which really isn't too bad after you get accustomed to it. You can find new friends, watch others catching fish and learn from them, or seeing fish being caught boosts your confidence level and is always fun. I sometimes try to find a good hole up or downstream from where everyone else is fishing however.
Sorry for the long rant. I could have gone on much longer! Dang, now you've got me wanting to go. Good luck! Let us know how you did. Here's the weekly harvest website: [url "http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/weekly_harv.cfm"]http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/weekly_harv.cfm[/url]
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