Fly Fishing Idaho Steelhead

[JackOfAllTrades]

I am kind of new to fishing for steelhead in Idaho, and wanting to build up my fly boxes before heading out to the Upper Salmon River within the next few weeks. Last year I caught a couple near Stanley, dead drifting egg sucking leeches, but this year I would like to be well rounded on all tactics/flies to fish for them.
I am wondering what kind of nymphs work best for steelhead, and if anyone has a few favorite flies to swing? I've got a new switch rod that I am fired up to use, but I also have nothing against nymphing to get the skunk out.
This year I plan to fish some new water, everything downstream of Stanley to Corn creek.

 

[steelheadmike]

Beads.


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[Flyjunky]

We’re creeping up on April, leave the steelhead alone, it’s spawning time. If it’s just a hatchery run with no wild fish around proceed to catch as many as you want.

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

We’re creeping up on April, leave the steelhead alone, it’s spawning time. If it’s just a hatchery run with no wild fish around proceed to catch as many as you want.

I leave the wilds alone, have yet to catch one even. Have any advice for nymphs and other flies to use?

 

[Dirtbag]

I've only fished them in the fall on the Salmon some time ago. We used Squirmies, large stonefly patterns, large princes, carotenes and so on. Enjoy.

 

[Flyjunky]

I leave the wilds alone, have yet to catch one even. Have any advice for nymphs and other flies to use?

Flies don’t really matter. If you’re nymphing just get a fly or two down to their level. Double bead peacock, bead, steelhead Prince, etc, steelhead aren’t picky.

 

[Dos XX]

Grand Ronde River Rat for swinging.

 

[sneaky]

We’re creeping up on April, leave the steelhead alone, it’s spawning time. If it’s just a hatchery run with no wild fish around proceed to catch as many as you want.

Steelhead haven't even made it up this far yet. There's not been a single one caught anywhere near where he's talking as of yet. Unless someone caught the first one today. They're still hammering them down past the Middle Fork at this point. Even Pahsimeroi hasn't had many returns yet. If they aren't physically present they aren't spawning.

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[PNWGATOR]

Grand Ronde River Rat for swinging.

View attachment 536994

Couldn’t agree more…

That said he didn’t ask about how to properly catch a steelhead on a fly or which flies to use in the process…just sayin’.

 

[Dos XX]

Couldn’t agree more…

That said he didn’t ask about how to properly catch a steelhead on a fly or which flies to use in the process…just sayin’.

Post 1:
"Iand if anyone has a few favorite flies to swing? "

 

[PNWGATOR]

Post 1:
"Iand if anyone has a few favorite flies to swing? "

Thanks for the clarification I missed that!

 

[MTtrout]

My favorite time is post spawn when the fish are hungry. Swing steamers and be prepared… they strip line out fast

 

[Meshnasty]

Try a bigger pink scud with a tungsten bead.

 

[Marble]

Here what is used where I fish.

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Pat's RubberlegsBrown and Black, #4-8
• Mercer's Poxyback GB Hares Ears - #8-14
• TB Solitude Stone - #8
• Lance's X-May - #16, Brown
• Mercer's Gold Bead Biot Epoxy Golden Stone - #8-10

Eggs:
• Clown Egg - #4-10
• M.C. Redd Reapers
• Micro Spawn Eggs - Pink & Salmon Egg
• Boles Bazookas - #8

Streamers & Leeches:
• Beadhead Crystal Buggers - Any
• CH Kiwi Muddlers
• Freshwater Clouser - Any

Red Copper John
Prince Nymph

 

[IdahoElk]

I am kind of new to fishing for steelhead in Idaho, and wanting to build up my fly boxes before heading out to the Upper Salmon River within the next few weeks. Last year I caught a couple near Stanley, dead drifting egg sucking leeches, but this year I would like to be well rounded on all tactics/flies to fish for them.
I am wondering what kind of nymphs work best for steelhead, and if anyone has a few favorite flies to swing? I've got a new switch rod that I am fired up to use, but I also have nothing against nymphing to get the skunk out.
This year I plan to fish some new water, everything downstream of Stanley to Corn creek.

Where do you live? I'm in Hailey and Steelhead that area a lot.

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Where do you live? I'm in Hailey and Steelhead that area a lot.

I live in Blackfoot, I am planning on going out downstream of North Fork this weekend, I heard its still slow upstream of there.

 

[IdahoElk]

I live in Blackfoot, I am planning on going out downstream of North Fork this weekend, I heard its still slow upstream of there.

I'm going in that area tomorrow, I'll let you know what I see.

 

[Thinkingman]

My favorite time is post spawn when the fish are hungry. Swing steamers and be prepared… they strip line out fast

Downstream kelts get with the throttle...

 

[Flyjunky]

People actually target kelts?

Like I said above, if the river you fish is solely made up of hatchery fish have at it but if there are wild fish around it’s time to put the rod away and let them do their thing.

 

[MTtrout]

@Thinkingman and @Flyjunky. Tell me more about kelts. When I posted above I must have not noticed it was pacific steelhead . My reference what directed to Great Lake steelhead I used to do years ago.

With that said I was researching ID steelhead info for second week in April when this popped up. I know this is an old thread but would that be a good time to fish? And is there a good reference site to have a better grasp of hatchery fish vs wild for the watersheds? Thanks