It had been two years too many since my last Salmon River adventure, so I was checking the flow reports pretty carefully in anticipation of an overdue trip the first of November. So of course, the flow spiked just a few days before my planned departure. Not to worry though, I posted a question on Flies And Fins, got some good advice, and loaded up the car for a 10 hour drive. Whitaker’s posted that the flow was still 1800 cfs when I arrived, but it would be evaluated at noon on Tuesday – a good sign. I decided to start in the upper section of the river, and found that it was still a popular spot – with a large number of fisherman lined up at popular pools. I picked a spot that had been good to me in the past, but the high flow made it really tough. I decided a trip downriver might be a good idea, and found that folks were hooking up quite regularly. Then the water dropped to 750CFS (where it stayed the rest of the week), and hook ups were a thing of the past. End result… a first day skunk, and high hopes for the next day. Changed tactics on Wednesday and tried different sections of river. Did a lot of walking, and some pretty aggressive wading before I finally picked up a nice fish near the end of the day. Seemed that the fish weren’t yet ready to eat, at least where I was. Couldn’t find many fisherman with different experiences, so at least I didn’t feel alone. Thursday was a different story. Decided to try the upper river again, and was into fish almost immediately. First was a nice 33″ hen, measured against the rod. Ended up going 2 for 5, and felt good about it. Pale egg patterns were the ticket for me, so of course the second fish took my last pale egg. That night I tied a bunch of pale eggs in a variety of sizes and shades. I learned that Friday is the new Saturday, as the river was suddenly alive with fisherman. I know that “combat fishing” is always a possibility on the Salmon, but I was still surprised when I stepped out of the river to take a leak, and when I was returning and stopped briefly to chat with a friend just 10 feet off the water, a guided fisherman moved into my spot. Anyway, I went 2 for 7, including this nice 32″ buck (in the picture), and saw lots of hookups. Fish were tough to land (as always), but if there was ever a time that I wish I had a camcorder it was Friday. I watched a fisherman wade too far (for my taste) into some real heavy white-water to fish a hole, hookup, then fight the fish through the white-water and down into the soft water where he was able to land it. I don’t think I have ever before seen a fish landed that made it into that particular stretch of white-water! Truly one of the most amazing battles I have ever witnessed. Altogether, a great trip to the Salmon River. I’ll be back in December!
Nice work. The Salmon River seems to have a way of raising and breaking spirits within the course of any steelhead outing. I always try to expect the worst, especially when targeting great lakes steelhead. The great lakes are a world of their own. Freak lake effect weather systems that are hard to comprehend unless you have experienced them. No sense watching the weather many times because rain, snow, wind just seem to pop up out of nowhere sometimes. When we think its going to be warm and good flows .. BANG! Alberta clipper swings through with snow and rain . water levels rise and the fishin’ is hard. On the contrary (as was the case it seems on your trip) we leave home and the river is blown out and the forcast is marginal at best and .. Viola! The river trops, temps iron out and the fish turn on. Anyway, the point is, I think all of these things are what make steelhead and steelhead fly fishing so great. The rewards are equal to the effort .. and many times .. it takes alot of effort and everyone has to pay their dues at one point or another. Ya we all get a bonus “easy trip” once and awhile .. but that usually comes on the tails of a painful one. I have learned to be humble with the steelhead and the Salmon River because you never know what is in store or just around the corner. And, its a tough river to wade and fish .. no doubt. So, you rolled the dice and seems like it turned out pretty good for you! Congratulations .. now you got me itchin’ for my next steelhead adventure.
Great story, just like Jeremy said the Salmon River ceratinly has a way of beating you up and rewarding you just before you lose all hope. Glad you stuck with it and got your steel…..2 years is way too long to wait.
Glad you stuck it out and got into them, perseverance is the hallmark of an accomplished steelhead angler. Putting some miles on and taking a walk is always a good idea. Getting away from the crowds is an essential part of the puzzle. “combat fishing” is only a possibility if you want it to be, there’s over 10 miles of public water on the Salmon and you can be all by yourself on the majority of it if you want to be!