Steelhead fishing is starting to pick up on the Salmon River near Riggins Idaho. I was able to make a quick Steelhead fishing trip yesterday and to my surprise I did quite well. I fished for three hours hooked four fish and was able to land three of them they were nice fish too one my have went 14 pound a nice hen.

Fishing below Riggins about 5 miles there is a boat launch just below a small community called Lucile I fished at the tail end of the hole there and it seemed like the Steelhead were starting to move again after this last cold spell.

I was using a small pink colored corky and pink and white yarn with a small piece of bait shrimp. The water is still pretty cold and they did not hit hard but they were hitting.

If you are planning a trip soon remember to keep your presentation small as the water is clear and cold and I always have better luck using small baits and lures under these conditions. Try to find holes where the water is moving steady but not out in the main current the Steelhead are not very active yet and they seem to still prefer the slower currents.

I have heard that things are picking up on the Clearwater as well mainly below Orofino. I have not made It up there yet this spring however a good friend of mine has made several trips that way recently and has been doing very well.

So get your reel oiled up put on some new line its time to start hitting the rivers again here in central Idaho. Hope to see you on the River!

By: Robert R Smith