Southfork Salmon opener!

[Fishin208]

Wondering if anybody is going up to join the madness of this next weekend. It will be interesting to see how long it stays open this season. I have been waiting for this all year. Didn't get to fish it last year, they shut it down two days before I could get away from work. (Bummer) [frown] But I making this year[cool]! Good luck and tight lines
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[jigs]

Same thing happened to me last year i was on my way and found out that day what the closing day. I doubt i will make it up until they are around stanley
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[Perry3]

It's not a madhouse like it used to be unless you want to fish your old hole. IDF&G opened another 20 miles downstream last year and there are many, many great holes to be had all to yourself. In fact next week the farther you go downstream the better if the fish haven't made it to the upper river. Our largest fish was 42" last year. Let us know how you guys do. I can't go until the 27th and I've been waiting all year too. :-(

off topic- I need to get one of those large white coolers. Any idea where to get one in the treasure valley that doesn't set me back an arm and a leg?
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[Kodiak1]

Costco has carried them at times. Their price would, of course, be the best in town. They are pricey though. If we go to Costco in the near future, I will look for them. Sportsman's Warehouse, on Fairview, would be another place to check out. Mike
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[Kodiak1]

Perry,
I was just at Cabela's, and they have 100 qt. wheeled coolers for $99. and non-wheeled white coolers, 140 qt., for 149. The check-out clerk is a former student of mine, and she told me that when Costco sells them, everyone that has purchased one at Cabelas, returns asking to have them match the Costco price. So, again, you might try there first. Mike
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[Perry3]

Thanks Mike! I'll check out Costco this week.
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[Kodiak1]

Perry,
Just got back from Costco on Cole. They have the deluxe Igloo white coolers--$79 for a 165 qt. cooler. Larger than Cablelas and a $70 savings. Also had a variety of smaller (but still large) coolers for $39 and above. No wonder Cabelas stays in the black. That is a significant difference. And Cabelas called the $149 cooler a "sale". Hope this info helps. Mike
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[Perry3]

Thanks Mike. I live off Cole past Victory and have a Costco card so I will be going there after work to check it out. I also need to get my tires rotated as I bought my nitrogen filled tires there last year- a 3 hour wait to install.

I talked with McCall fish hatchery yesterday and they just installed the SF weir on Tuesday. As of yesterday no fish had been caught in the trap. If anybody is going this weekend for the opener I'd think about heading downstream from Poverty Flats since it appears the fish aren't up that far- yet.
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[BMURR]

So did anyone catch any fish on the opener? I'm going to be at Redfish Thursday through Saturday and was thinking about going out.

Brady
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[jigs]

I havnt heard anything from upriver but my grandpa went to riggins last sunday and came home thursday. He caught 27 fish on monday-wednesday. including jacks but he said alot of the jacks were big 24 inches he said he talked with one of the f&g officers and he said they had never seen jacks this big and that next years steelhead and kings should be 3 or 4 lb heavier than this years average. he said the ocean conditions are as good as they have been for years. anyways grandpa ended up coming home with 14 fish including jacks. i am going to cook one up right now
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[BMURR]

Good to know. That sounds like an awesome fish. I actually just had a steelhead fillet for dinner from that area. Good stuff.

Brady
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[Perry3]

Anybody fish the South Fork opener?

I picked up a 165 qt Igloo at Costco for $79.99. It's a beaut! Sportsman's Warehouse was sold out of Mustad 2/0 hooks and the 1/4" lead was $4.99 a roll.

I see Riggins and the Little Salmon is closing on the 23rd and upstream from Short's bar will remain open through the 28th.
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