ID Spring bear/Steelhead trip help

[ZRob97]

Hey everyone, looking at heading up to Idaho next spring from Arizona to do a spring bear hunt. Id like to be able to line it up so I can fly fish for steelhead as well. Any opinions or recommendations for specific time of year and general areas/watershed to do both?

Thanks,
Zach

 

[ZRob97]

TTT

 

[Jason Snyder]

I’m not sure spring fly fishing timing will line up very well with bear hunting.

By the time you are seeing green up for bears your rivers will likely be fairly high. High enough I wouldn’t think swinging a fly would be all that productive.

 

[ZRob97]

I’m not sure spring fly fishing timing will line up very well with bear hunting.

By the time you are seeing green up for bears your rivers will likely be fairly high. High enough I wouldn’t think swinging a fly would be all that productive.

maybe fall trip would be better then huh?

 

[IdahoBeav]

I think these are your two best options for alignment:

Winter:
DIY wolf or lion with an outfitter + dogs, steelhead on the Clearwater

Late Summer/Early Fall
Bear, trout in a number of waters

 

[eamyrick]

Went to a spot where you could do bull trout and bears. Now you got me thinking.

 

[MOwhitetail]

I’m not sure spring fly fishing timing will line up very well with bear hunting.

By the time you are seeing green up for bears your rivers will likely be fairly high. High enough I wouldn’t think swinging a fly would be all that productive.

I can confirm that peak spring bear time is not peak fishing time. Tried the same a few years ago and the rivers were HIGH. Fall bear is definitely a better time if you wanna do 2 in 1.

 

[ZRob97]

Opening this back up, I got a deer tag for unit 19 and I still plan on doing some fishing and getting a bear tag. 19 has a longer season for deer so i think ill be headed up from AZ late September/early October. I'd like to target some B run steelhead and bull trout while I'm there, pretty stoked that 19 is sandwiched between the Clearwater and the Salmon. Any recommendations for fly fishing guides or spots around there?

Thanks

 

[Jason Snyder]

Early October should have steelhead in the Salmon below Riggins and the lower Clearwater. Lots of really nice water on each river.

 

[Bull_n_heat]

Opening this back up, I got a deer tag for unit 19 and I still plan on doing some fishing and getting a bear tag. 19 has a longer season for deer so i think ill be headed up from AZ late September/early October. I'd like to target some B run steelhead and bull trout while I'm there, pretty stoked that 19 is sandwiched between the Clearwater and the Salmon. Any recommendations for fly fishing guides or spots around there?

Thanks

Find a run you can step into, and start swinging for that unicorn! The deer will be easier to glass.

 

[.204smokechaser]

Opening this back up, I got a deer tag for unit 19 and I still plan on doing some fishing and getting a bear tag. 19 has a longer season for deer so i think ill be headed up from AZ late September/early October. I'd like to target some B run steelhead and bull trout while I'm there, pretty stoked that 19 is sandwiched between the Clearwater and the Salmon. Any recommendations for fly fishing guides or spots around there?

Thanks

Spring Bear and spring Steelhead season doesn’t line up to well IMO. Find a unit where there’s a river with bull trout, and you’ll have more fun. Fishing for bull trout in September isn’t very effective as that’s spawning time. My bio friends and co workers are always camped out somewhere doing surveys in September and early October. I usually catch my first bull trout in a river in April and my last bull trout in the summer on a fly towards the end of august. My advice for the fall is to toss flies around, pick the fly shops brains for the Clearwater snd Lower Salmon.