Steelhead
"Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it." - Henry Middleton
Fisheries
Lower Salmon River near Riggins, Idaho Native
With deep holes and large underwater boulders followed by rapids, shallow ripples, and eddies, the Lower Salmon River Canyon is the steelhead highway for upstream migrating fish. Our knowledge of where steelhead move and rest on their journey to the upper Salmon affords you the opportunity to catch these large sea run rainbow trout. Our Lower Canyon techniques are more akin to stalking or hunting than to fishing. We search for these fish and educate you on the proven techniques to stalk and catch migrating steelhead in large river conditions. This is excellent early fall, and late spring season fly fishing waters when water temperatures are above 42 degrees. It is also phenomenal early season, mid to late fall and winter season , and spring season steelhead fishing with conventional steelhead gear. We fish by heated drift boats in extremely majestic canyon scenery with opportunities to view many species of wildlife. Lodging is available at our Lodge on the Little Salmon River, Meadowood Lodge in McCall, (both offer bed & breakfasts), or various motels in Riggins. We can arrange your accommodations at all locations. Season is from the 1st of September and runs for 7 months thru the winter until the 30th of March. Best fishing normally is from the last week in September until mid December and from the 1st of February until the 30th of March.
Upper Salmon River at Salmon, Idaho
Classic drift boat water with excellent spring and fall season steelhead fishing. Let our guides put you where the steelhead lie as this is excellent float and wade steelhead waters. Steelhead from 3-14 lbs. with occasional larger fish. Season is from 1st of September to the 30th of April. Great warm weather spring fishing to heal the soul from the colder winter blues. Excellent fly fishing waters for the novice or experienced fly fisherman. The best place to learn to fly fish for steelhead. The river is about a quarter the size of the lower canyon with much shallower rapids and ripples. Cottonwood lined banks with abundant wildlife such as bald eagles, turkeys, deer, beaver, blue heron, and various species of waterfowl. Inexpensive accommodations and quality dining make this a very affordable trip. We can arrange accommodations as well as air transportation from Boise. It is also a very scenic drive from Boise with breathtaking scenery. We recommend at least two days of fishing on this trip.
Native
Native Idaho Steelhead in excess of 40 inches and weighing over 20 lbs. is one of the Salmon River's signature sport fish. Truly a wilderness species, it has no equal for strength or fight in the freshwater world of cold water fish.This is a "World Class" fishery right here in America's backyard. No need to travel the world in pursuit of trophy steelhead, as the world comes here to challenge the legendary and famous Native Idaho Steelhead.
Hatchery
The Salmon River has three different gene pools of Idaho Steelhead. The 1st is the catch and release native run. The 2nd is the Hatchery Clearwater B-run The 3rd is the Hatchery Snake River A-run. The hatchery fish make excellent table fare and the season and limits are normally quite liberal. Take does not jeopardize the welfare of the Hatchery Run. The Hatchery Snake River steelhead average 3-8 lbs. The Hatchery Clearwater steelhead weigh from 8 to over 20 lbs.
