04-08-2009, 10:44 PM
Ok fellas, I finally got some time to set ya straight. Salmon fishing in Idaho is just about my favorite thing in the whole wide world. I have been fishing for them in Riggins since 2000, and on the South Fork Salmon since 2004 (none on the mainstem Clearwater, and a teeny bit on the SF Clearwater). I save up all my vacation time all year long so I can take 3 day weekends every weekend from Memorial on thru the 4th of July or even a weekend or two after that, depending on how long they keep it open (actually got to fish for salmon on my birthday -July 15- for the first time ever last year - and limited out!). Unfortunately I didn't get to participate in the fishery they had in the Ellis region a few years back (already had my seasons limit by the time they opened it), or the fishery they had up around Stanley last year (burnt out, and out of vacation). But I have heard some rumors that they are going to propose a pretty decent season from Salmon city all the way to Sawtooth Hatchery this year but won't decide one way or the other until the middle of May.
I usually don't plan on it even being possible to catch a Chinook until basicly Memorial weekend, unless they start crossing Bonneville in strong numbers in early March. That has been their pattern in most years with the exception of 2001 and 2003 when I caught my first one on the first weekend in May, but other than that . . . you are lucky if it's worth going up the weekend before Memorial.
In Riggins, you will be fishing the Little Salmon River and the main Salmon River. Everybody has their favorite because they are two completely different types of fishing. I love them both! The main is big big water. We fished it from 35,000-55,000 cfs last year! I usually seem to use about a measured off 5-6" of 1/4" solid core pencil lead (but had to make some a little bigger last year), 30 pound test and 2/0 or 3/0 hooks is what I have always used on both the little and big rivers, but I start to feel more and more like I prefer 40 pound on the Little Salmon because your line gets so many nicks in it, and it is a little swifter.
Well I hope that answers most of your questions. If not, feel free to keep them coming. I'm sure there are some exceptions to what I've said, and there are probably a lot more people who know more and do better than me. But I take it pretty serious and catch plenty of Chinooks for a bank fisherman from northern Utah. Peace.
CSL[fishin]
[signature]
I usually don't plan on it even being possible to catch a Chinook until basicly Memorial weekend, unless they start crossing Bonneville in strong numbers in early March. That has been their pattern in most years with the exception of 2001 and 2003 when I caught my first one on the first weekend in May, but other than that . . . you are lucky if it's worth going up the weekend before Memorial.
In Riggins, you will be fishing the Little Salmon River and the main Salmon River. Everybody has their favorite because they are two completely different types of fishing. I love them both! The main is big big water. We fished it from 35,000-55,000 cfs last year! I usually seem to use about a measured off 5-6" of 1/4" solid core pencil lead (but had to make some a little bigger last year), 30 pound test and 2/0 or 3/0 hooks is what I have always used on both the little and big rivers, but I start to feel more and more like I prefer 40 pound on the Little Salmon because your line gets so many nicks in it, and it is a little swifter.
Well I hope that answers most of your questions. If not, feel free to keep them coming. I'm sure there are some exceptions to what I've said, and there are probably a lot more people who know more and do better than me. But I take it pretty serious and catch plenty of Chinooks for a bank fisherman from northern Utah. Peace.
CSL[fishin]
[signature]