The Steelhead Angler

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The good the bad and the uglyWell the good news for chinook salmon anglers here in Idaho is the resent cold spell is beginning to have a positive effect on the river flows as most rivers here in Idaho are starting to drop back to almost fishable levels.

The Little Salmon River which was running at 5,600 cfs as dropped back to 3,200 cfs and although the Main Salmon has not done as well has dropped from 92,000 cfs to 65,000 which is still way above the normal flow of around 40,000 cfs for this time of year. The Clearwater is dropping but it is even slower in coming down then the Main Salmon.

The bad thing about this is that the cooler temperatures which help to drop the rivers has also dropped the river temperatures which is slowing the migration of the salmon and this is through out the entire river system from Bonneville Dam too the hatcheries. I’m hoping that when the temps stabilize or start to rise back up we will see a surge in their migration.

Now for the ugly part while the rivers have started to drop they are still very brown in color and this makes things even more difficult for the angler as salmon seem to strike out of a natural instinct and not because the are feeding, if they are not able to see your hook then you do not trigger their instinct to strike.

There are some tricks you can use to help in these conditions like using scents, or a lure set up that will make some type of noise or vibration. They help but when the salmon go into a holding pattern there is no sure fire way of hooking into one except for being persistent and keeping something out in the river and hope that one will swim into your offering.

Don’t despair things will pick up and when they do we should have some pretty fair fishing at least it will be better then we have had in the last couple of years.

Steelhead Gear.Com   http://www.steelhead-gear.com/

Pacific salmon are in the genus Oncorhynchus, which contains several individual species Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead are probably the most popular. Unlike the Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon only spawn once before they die. These salmon may swim hundreds, even thousands, of miles to get back to the stream where they hatched. However, only a small percentage of salmon survive to reach their natural stream or spawning grounds. It has been estimated that today around 80% for the juvenile salmon or smolt as they are called will never survive their trip to the ocean. In the Northwest salmon normally have seasons from spring through fall this season depend entirely on the expected return numbers today.

Pacific salmon connect headwaters to the high seas, from Japan to California. The larges of these salmon are known as Chinook or King Salmon, they average 10 to 20 pounds in size, but 30 to 50 pounds is not unusual and there are occasions where they will reach nearly 100 pounds. Pacific salmon are represented by seven different species, these seven salmon species have life histories that are unique, multifaceted and vary widely within and between species.

Dams have stopped many runs from having access to the oceans where they once traveled. These areas which are scattered throughout the northwest now have what are called landlocked salmon since they mature for three years in freshwater and return to the river to spawn and die.

Pacific salmon is also farmed, but due to political reasons on a very small scale over all.

Managing salmon in the Pacific Northwest is a complex endeavor, bringing up a wide range of political, economic, legal and social issues. The cultural issues of salmon management shouldn’t be overlooked, as salmon fishing has been and continues to be a way of life for many families throughout the west. Managers need to know where their stocks move, how long they stay in different areas, and how ocean conditions affect growth and mortality. The eventual expansion of pilot studies into a full out program to reintroduce salmon back into river systems, combined with archival tagging studies, will allow scientists and managers to monitor salmon movements and habitat usage along coastal North America, from California to the Aleutian Islands, year-round. Knowing when and how salmon move, feed, and migrate will be the key to their survival if we are going to save these magnificent and mystical fish.

Salmon Gear

There appears to be even more good news for salmon fishermen here in Idaho. Along with the Chinook salmon return numbers showing a vast improvement over the last several years the number of jacks that are returning to Idaho are also u; this is good news for two reasons. 

1. Having a good number of jack salmon return is a good sign that the numbers of  adult chinook salmon that will return the following year will also be good
2. This year anglers will be able to keep two jack salmon a day without them having to be counted against your season limit of 40 salmon. And the size of the jack salmon has been increased from a fish measuring less then 20″ to one which measures less then 24″. 

The weather and river flows has been playing a large role in the amount of Salmon crossing Bonneville dam during the last week one day the numbers are over 9,00 and the next day they may be down to 2,500 only to bounce back up the next day. I guess as long as the numbers stay up we can keep smiling though. 

So far I do not believe the total numbers are as good as every one was hoping but we need to remember that the run started three weeks later then normal too. 

I will continue to watch the numbers over the next several weeks and keep you informed so far thing are looking good for the Idaho salmon angler though and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this will continue.

By: RR Smith
Salmon Steeelhead And Trout

I just got done checking the Chinook numbers coming over Bonneville Dam and while they run seems to be about three weeks late they are looking pretty good for right now. Yesterday over 9,000 salmon crossed Bonneville dam on their migration home we have not seen numbers like these in over a decade for the last several years 3,000 per day was a good number lets hope this continues as we wait for there arrival.While only 1,600 have crossed Lower Granite Dam so far this year as I mentioned they seem to be running about three weeks late so I’m expecting to see these number increase as well over the coming weeks. Come on Salmon!!

It is truly hard to get vary excited though as every time you turn around you are hearing more bad news about the West Coast Salmon populations and this year for the first time ever they have completely shut down salmon fishing on the west coast. It makes you wonder that with over 9 Billion dollars spent on there recovery and number being at an all-time low (for summer run salmon) if we will be able to continue to enjoy seeing these magnificent fish return in any respectable numbers in the future.

I was doing some research over the past week when the seals again became an issue with the migrating salmon and I definitely became disillusioned with this thought. If the seal numbers are 238,000 as they say; and lets say that they eat just one salmon every other day do you know how many salmon that works out to be in a years time? Well the number is astounding 43,435,000 salmon a year. Now you add Orcas the commercial fisheries the fact that over 80% of the juveniles will never make it to the ocean and how the climate change affects the oceans conditions you really begin to gain some respect for these fish. Well it was just a thought  not a good thought but a thought.

The good news at least for this year for those along the Columbia River systems is that we are expecting a very good run this year. So I suggest that if you ever wanted to try your luck in catching a Chinook salmon that you get your gear ready and give it a try this year as we can not predict how long this will continue.

Do you have some thoughts about these magnificent fish if so join use at Idaho Trout Hunters Forum  in the catagory TroutHunter Member’s RoundTable and let us know what you’re thinking. http://idahotrouthunter.smfforfree2.com/index.php

By: RR Smith
Looking to save on your next purchase of Fishing Gear Please visit my Store at Steelhead Gear.Com I’m sure you will find some of the best prices available anywhere for your Salmon, Steelhead, and Trout Fishing Gear wants and needs.
http://www.steelhead-gear.com

It appears that the Chinook Salmon run we have all been hopping for is starting to make its way past Bonneville Dam as their count numbers begin to improve. Looking on the DART Adult Passage All Species Composite Report page yesterday the number of fish crossing over Bonneville Dam was 6645 adults and 115 jacks both of these number are good results and as the run has just started to move up the river I’m hopping that even these numbers will increase over the next few days.

They have been trapping a few of the seals that hang out around the Bonneville ladders. While activist still are protesting their removal and just how long they will be able to keep the trapping operation for the seals going seems to be up in the air. I may be a little more sympatric about this issue but if the dams were not in the rivers the seals would not even be traveling up there in the first place. Ok they won’t let them destroy the seals at least let them keep up the trapping efforts and get them out of the river. Some unhappy fisherman might chuck a rock or some at them and we don’t want these seals to be harmed now do we?

Anyway back to the good news and that is even with the seals feasting on or salmon it appears that the fisheries management teams predictions are going to be met if not excided this year. We should all have a better then average chance at hooking into one of Idaho’s special treasures this year.

A friend of mine has started a forum here in Idaho and it would be great if you would stop by and see what we are doing here in Idaho. Don’t be shy either start your own topic and let us know what going on in your area or ask some questions and find out some of the many exciting fishing opportunities that Idaho has to offer.  You can find his forum at:  http://idahotrouthunter.wordpress.com/idaho-trouthunter-forum/  and tell Old Eagle Eyes Hi for me while you’re there.

Once again Idaho Salmon are facing another man made obstacle on their migration back home. Bonneville Dam is seeing large numbers of Sea Lions and California Seals again that are feasting on our Salmon runs. While state and federal agencies have been monitoring this situation for years and have decided that they need to take action the Humane Society of the United States has step in and are trying to prevent their efforts.Look at some of this information posted on the Free Republic Website

*”Salmon and sea lions are protected species. But California sea lion numbers are booming, while many northwest salmon species are struggling. The sea lion population, about 1,000 animals in the 1930s, now numbers about 238,000 along the West Coast. Biologists think the animals have maxed out available breeding sites and habitat.

The number that could be killed under the initial federal proposal is about one one-hundredth of the number that biologists estimate could be removed without undermining the overall population.
Anglers and biologists have grown increasingly frustrated with sea lions that swim up the Columbia to Bonneville Dam, where they feast on salmon gathering to climb fish ladders upriver. Last year, monitoring crews counted sea lions eating more than 4 percent of the salmon run, although biologists suspect they probably ate more.

Hudson said state and tribal biologists estimate sea lions may consume 13 percent to 17 percent of spring Chinook salmon passing through the dam.”

* http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1987633/posts

Now I do not know about you but I’m tired of my tax money being used to feed a predator that by all accounts have over populated their natural environment and are now seeking to find an easy meal on the very same fish that we as sportsmen, tax payers, and even as consumers have been trying to protect and improve their numbers so that we can continue to enjoy fishing for these magnificent fish.

Have you heard the answer to the problem from the Humane Society of the United States as stated by spokes woman Sharon Young “agencies should look to cut back fishing before looking at sea lions”

I’m all for protecting wildlife and I believe that I do my part I keep very few of the fish I catch and most of the time I catch a release my fish just to insure that the will be there tomorrow and for the next generation to enjoy as I have. But when you see articles like this it makes you wonder way we spend billions of dollars ever year on salmon recovery programs have numerous agencies work for their recovery and then when they decide it is time to take a corrective action we do not allow them to do anything. They do not want to eliminate the seal population only take a control measure and reduce their numbers. I say load the seals up in a box and ship them to Sharon Young and the Humane Society of the United States and tell them that their seals are in our rivers and they need to do something with them.

By: RR Smith

Looking to save on your next purchase of Fishing Gear Please visit my Store at Steelhead Gear.Com I’m sure you will find some of the best prices available anywhere for your Salmon, Steelhead, and Trout Fishing Gear wants and needs.

http://www.steelhead-gear.com

With the Chinook Salmon Season opening today here on many of Idaho’s rivers it would be a good time to take an inventory of your salmon fishing tackle. While the salmon have not actually made it into our river systems yet they are on their way and this season is promising to be one of the best in years. Taking time to make sure your salmon gear is in order can mean the difference between spending the day on the river our spending your time trying to locate a replacement rod or reel. 

As most of you know having plenty of hooks, line, sinkers, swivels, yarn, bait-sacks, lures, and what ever else you plan on offering to the river Gods in exchange for one of Idaho’s most powerful fish is essential in having a successful trip. There is nothing more frustrating then to just lose a nice salmon and then in the next cast or two lose your rigging and not have what you need to replace it when you go to tie back up. 

With the snow staying in the mountains the way it has this year I expect we are going to be fishing in some of the highest river flow condition that we have experienced in years.

I for one know that high river conditions seem to make the river gods angry and will be taking a lot more  of my gear before giving up one of their salmon.

It is also a good time to make sure your rod and reel is ready a good cleaning and oiling may need to be done. You want to make sure your drag is operating properly (nice and smooth) even if you crank down on it trust me you will need a good drag system if you plan on land a salmon especially this year with the expected high flows. You take the power of these fish and add the additional power they get by utilizing the river currents to their advantage and you will be glad that you took the time now to clean and oil things up.

Having plenty of line on hand would probably be a good thing also since fighting these fish does take its toll on any line and after awhile you will notice quite a loss in the effectiveness of your line.

By: RR Smith

Looking to save on your next purchase of Fishing Gear Please visit my Store at Steelhead Gear.Com I’m sure you will find some of the best prices available anywhere for your Salmon, Steelhead, and Trout Fishing Gear wants and needs.

http://www.steelhead-gear.com

While I’m sitting here today thinking about the Chinook salmon season that is suppose to be one of the best in years, I find myself thinking back to my youth. It was back in the early 1970’s when after talking with my best friend Randy that I discovered he had never fished for salmon before. I found this odd as are love of fishing had taken us on many different and exciting adventures while chasing fish every time we had a chance to take off and go. Yet I never mentioned any thing about steelhead or salmon fishing and we had never been salmon fishing together how we could have missed doing this together before now was something that I could never really under stand since this is my favorite type of fishing.Oh well back to the main thought I was having. When I talked to Randy about this he got very excited about going so we planed a trip for the following weekend and since our work schedules had us both off at the same time it would work out perfectly. Little did I know how perfect this trip would turn out at the time?

The rest of the work week seemed to drag on as time normally does when you have something that you are looking forward to doing, but soon it was Friday after noon and we both had gotten off work late adding to the excitement to get going. But finally we were on our way to meet up with my folks who had left earlier in the day to setup camp down at Riggins Idaho along the Little Salmon River where we would be fishing.

On our trip down Randy was full of questions like how hard does a salmon hit, what size hook do you use, are these fish hard to land, what should he use for bait. On and on this went he was really getting worked up about this. I told him that salmon fishing once you learn the basics and where the fish might be laying is really like any other type of fishing the big difference is the battle these fish give you once you hook into one. I told him that he should not plan on being able to land every fish he hooks into, as the power of these fish is unmatched by anything he had fished for before. He told me that he had heard they did fight hard and that you needed heavy line he had purchased some 60 lb. test line and asked if he needed anything heaver. I assured him that the line he had was way more then he would need and that I just used 25 lb test and that was more then enough to handle them as long as you let them play out before you try to force the issue with them.

We arrived at camp late but the folks had kept dinner for us so we ate and sat around for awhile telling stories to the folks about some of our adventures many of which that got me a look from my dad that only a dad can give; you all know the look I’m sure, (the one that says what the heck were you thinking)? It gets late and we decide to turn in, now being a young teenager at the time the excitement of the day to come makes the night seem like it will never end. I remember Randy waking up numerous time through out the night and having a flash light click on and off again after awhile the light would click and randy would say are you awake is my watch working is it really only 1:00 am. or has my watch stopped. This continued for most of the night and I began to wonder if maybe I made this salmon fishing out to be more then it was, (No there’s no way I could do that it is all what I said and probably more).

Finally 4:30 arrives and we crawl out of or sleeping bags and start getting ready to walk up to this hole I had found a few weeks earlier. All week long I had told Randy that this hole has produce a Salmon on the first cast every time I had been their and that it was well worth the walk to get there and in the pre-dawn light we set out to get to the hole before some one else. Back in the seventies we didn’t have the crowds we do today and you cold still get in a hole first if you left at early dawn. Any way I give Randy some last minute pointers on the way to the hole and we arrive to find that we were indeed the first ones to arrive. Standing above the hole I point out where he needs to cast and what he should expect when a salmon hits. We bait up and start down to the hole. Now until you have been around Randy for awhile and know him a little bit it is hard to explain what happens next but I’ll do my best to explain this.

Keeping in mind Randy has equipped his reel with 60 lb test line, the following takes place. Since Randy has never taken a Salmon before I decide that I will get him started before I start to fish. There is a lot of brush along the river bank so I tell Randy to strip off a little line and just flip it out along the seam of the current and be ready for the explosion as the salmon takes his hook. I remind him that I have caught a Salmon here on the first cast every time I have fished here. Randy decides to move down just a few steps before he cast and when he goes to move down he stumbles on the slick rocks that are covered in the morning’s dew. While trying to catch his balance his line that he striped out dips into the water as he falls back on his butt and at the same time he is falling back he jerks the pole back over his head trying to catch his balance. As I’m watching this his line comes back out of the water and here comes a 14 lb spring Chinook salmon that some how had managed to get a hold of his hook the motion of Randy falling back literally jerks this salmon strait out of the river and onto the bank now Randy and this Salmon are both flopping around on the bank as Randy somehow manages to get a hold of the salmon before it gets back into the river. Once Randy get a hold on the fish and his feet back under him he looks at me and says your right this hole does produce a salmon with the first cast. Well that is how Randy got his first salmon we still fish together to this day as hard as this is to believe it actually happen just like I said you should have been there. Randy Still has the same type of luck I know he could truly catch fish in a mud puddle.

By: RR Smith
Looking to save on your next purchase of Fishing Gear Please visit my Store at Steelhead Gear.Com I’m sure you will find some of the best prices available anywhere for your Salmon, Steelhead, and Trout Fishing Gear wants and needs.
http://www.steelhead-gear.com