Spey Pages banner

Salmon river, Idaho - Suggestions...

2 reading
381 views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  Fireroad  
#1 ·
Has anyone on here spent any time on the Salmon in Idaho? Headed there in a few weeks and kind of just want to know what sort of program I should expect to run. Scandi? Skagit? Small and sparse like on the clearwater, or can I size up? There doesn't seem to be much out there for fly fishing on the Salmon, so anything helps. Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
Tough cookie to crack. You can run whatever program you want there, it all works or doesn't. But water temps can play a big role, gets quite cold late season with more success on tips and larger flies. But also historic reports of muddler eats with slush ice on the river. I wouldn't expect much when heading to the Salmon especially this year, but it's beautiful country and a wonderful river.
 
#6 ·
Which stretch of the Salmon are considering? The Lower Salmon, from Riggins downstream to White Bird, are my home waters and as thegreydrake mentioned it's a tough nut to crack. Also doesn't help that we don't have any local spey guides to rely on either.

The good swinging water is fairly scattered and not always visible from the road. I fished it hard (from boat and bank) for 6 years with only 1 fish to show for it. Tried everything from skagits with t10 to scandi's and short bellies with long leaders. Last season I switched to the Gaelforce EMT with the 15ft tips on my 7139 Burkie and find it covers most of the scenario's I run into over the course of the season. If I only have a day or less to fish I will hit the Salmon; any more time than that I'll run up to the Clearwater instead.

As for flies I use the same box for both the Clearwater and Salmon. I'll go with larger flies on the Salmon and leave the skaters in the box. Shoot me a message when you are in the area and I can help you narrow down some spots.