Clearwater Fishing Report

Idaho Fish and Game just issued their Winter 2010 Fishing Report and they start off by talking about steelhead fishing: "Just because it's winter and the weather is cold doesn't mean you have to put your steelhead gear away. In fact, some of the best catch rates of the year come in the winter as fish stop migrating and swim for deeper, slower water. Winter steelheading also means less fishing pressure as fair weather anglers hang it up until spring."  http://tinyurl.com/yaysbkf

I couldn't agree more!  Our sunny and balmy weather (45 - 50 degrees) has motivated many anglers to hop in their drift boat and get outside for the day, casting lines into the Salmon River.  In a drive to Riggins, Idaho the other day, there were a half a dozen different anglers - drift boaters and bank fishermen - spotted enjoying the sport.  


As you probably know, Steelhead run records were broken last year with 312,000 steelhead counted at Lower Granite Dam, the first downriver dam on the Snake River below Lewiston, Idaho. The reason this is so significant is that it was double the average for the last 10years!

For our area, this Winter run is predominately the A-run fish bound for the Snake, Salmon, and Little Salmon rivers!