Late Feb Steels

[Tapajos]

Hello Idaho!
I thought if i trolled your forum enough i would get all the info I needed for a late febuary trip for some steelhead. But you guys dont post with the frequency of the Utah BFTers! So I figured I would go ahead and make a post and ask my neighbors to the north some advice.

My wife and I are planning a trip for steelies. I havent ever fished for them nor can i even think of anyone i know of who has. I had thought about going to the clearwater outside of orofino. But I also keep seeing things about the Salmon. I will be coming from Salt Lake. And hope to spend 2 nights maybe 3. We would be estatic to catch a few. And was hopeing maybe someone with some experience could share where to go and what to use. We really wanna make sure if we come up we have a shot at some fish. And if anyones ever down in Utah Id be happy to return the favor just kick me a PM.
Thanks!
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[jigs]

there is a post further down the forum that has a bit of info on the river condition on the salmon around shoup area i will bump it for you, i dont know anyone that has been up there yet, a large group left from preston today so i should have a bit of info on orifino next week.
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[Bigfishdaddy894]

You might try Riggins on the Salmon river. Ask around or get a guide. I used to live in that area to the north and did pretty good. If not Riggins then go to the Clearwater or wait until they are running up the North Fork of the Clearwater towards Elk City. Might try to Google what is called The Dewey Mine Hole. Alot of people but some good fishing... Good Luck!!!
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[Belasko]

Like was mentioned, try the post further down for info on the Salmon. As for trying the Clearwater I would recommend that for larger fish. I can also recommend a guide in that area if you want to PM me for that info. If you're doing more of a do it yourself trip I can suggest around Lewiston to try trolling plugs in the confluence if you have a boat. Also backtrolling plugs is popular in the clearwater or on the Snake. Most the people swear by roe, but I usually use nightcrawlers bottom bounced along the bottom. Shrimp (like the uncooked storebought stuff) works pretty well. As for on the Salmon I recommend same baits and techniques, but if you want to float it I would recomend a guide to avoid getting into trouble, it's easy to do in there.
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[Tapajos]

Yah this is going to be a limited budget trip. We dont mind hiking a few miles each way to get to good fishing but getting a guide is definatly out of the budget. So its going to be bank fishing with our waders for us. I would definatly like somewhere there arent 100 people but if the fishing is good where theres 100 people thats where we wanna be. Just wanna hook up some big fish. 10+ range.
Thanks for the replies so far.
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[Belasko]

If you're looking for 10+ lbers then definitely go to the clearwater. Much more likely. I know you can wade or shore fish just down from Dworshak dam before it dumps into the clearwater itself. Not sure the specific regs right there as far as catch an release though. I know people also fish the shoreline in Lewiston and I imagine a lot fish the shore around Orofino as well.
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[jigs]

ya for bigger fish go the orifino, but for less ppl usualy down from shoup this time of year. If you go mid week it always cuts down on the ppl.
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[SteelieNut]

Sorry there was so little about the steelhead fishing around here. I've been gone for a week[cool] things should pick up now. You know, someone mentioned going to Riggins, if you want numbers and not necessarily size that is a good idea. Try fishing the Little Salmon River, stay pretty low this time of year. I spent 6 months up there a couple years ago and I averaged around 5 fish a day, everything was around 26 inches and fat. The majority were indian fish so you can't keep them, but it's worth it, they're a blast! You can drift fish it pretty good until the wind picks up and then you've got to suck up a little pride and tie on a bobber rig, stay small with the jig and the bobber, maybe even just a splitshot and bait, it will work wonders. And since your there, maybe buzz down to the Clearwater for a day or two, you might get a wallhanger down there. Good luck and let us know where you go and how you did.
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[chrome_junky]

glad to see your jumping on the steelhead band waggon tapajos it is my favorite pass time. as far as the fish go nobody on this sight or really any guide can guarantee you fish this time of year its hit or miss for the hole month of december. beleive me i feel you about the budget thing im headed to salmon next weekend for three days of steelhead fishing i would much rather head to orifino to fish the clearwater but i cant afford that now. my oppinion on what you should do especially if you wont be getting a guide would be stick to what you do know. if you know how to bounce bait along the bottom in a current do it. there are certain rigs that some fisherman tie to keep from snagging up as much. but your basic river drifting techniques will work. three simple baits will get you through with this a night crawler a piece of shrimp or some red or orange salmon eggs, and to add a little steelhead spice to it tie a peice of pink orange or red yarn on the line right obove the bait. very simple and it works very well i have caught the majority of the steelhead i have landed bouncing a worm and piece of yarn on the bottom. as far as other techniques go if you know something about them then give it a try but there is alot to learn with most other techniques. look at it this way you can spend your first trip steelhead fishing figuring out how to float a bobber down the river or you could stick to the basics and have a shot at a few fish. []
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[Belasko]

Truly humble, and good, advice[]
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[chrome_junky]

thanks Belasko. i just remember my first couple times trying to figure out float fishing i spent more time screwing with the rig than really fishing its really not something just anybody can pick up and do. it would really suck to leave a bitter taste of steelhead fishing in somebody's mouth for there first time. now say you go for a few days and the first day you catch a few steelhead with simple river bouncing as a new steelheader thats when i would say hey lets try this bobber fishing thing cause the whole trip wouldnt have been wasted on figuring out a float.
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