Fly Fishing - Idaho Steelhead Fishing: Good River In March?

Nobu

Hi there,

I will be visiting Idaho from Japan in late March for steelhead fishing. Can anybody advise me which river to go? Clearwater river? Salmon river? Your suggestion is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

The Salmon River in Idaho can be very good for steelhead fishing in March mainly quite far upriver around Challis, Idaho. The Clearwater River, specifically the South Fork can also be very good at that time of the year. I believe it is the South Fork of the Clearwater (I haven't fished it but know several other guys who have including Jason C on this site). A few things to keep in mind about fishing either of these rivers that time of the year:
1. The weather can vary a lot from heavy snow to warm and sunny so be prepared for a range of conditions. The later in March you go, if it gets really warm and rains you could have higher muddy water as well. On the other hand if you go in early March it could be very cold and low water.
2. The steelhead in either of these rivers are not fresh at that time of the year. They have come into the system the previous summer and fall and then overwintered in the river system. Although it is frequently called a "spring run" it is actually just the same summer run fish that stayed there all winter long finishing up their migration.
3. Many fish will be in the process of spawning and it is best to avoid fishing to them when they are on the spawning beds although plenty of people will be actively looking for spawning beds and fishing right on top of spawning fish.
Hope this helps!

Nobu · Posted: Thu 01/28/10 8:11 am Post subject:

Thank you for your advice!
I will go either one, and try to avoid spawning beds.
Best regards,