Steelhead have a way of humbling even the most seasoned angler, and Idaho is no exception. These ocean-run fish run nearly 700 miles hundreds of miles upriver, making them the furthest inland steelhead. Steelhead fishing in Idaho isn’t for the faint-hearted; it’s a pursuit that demands patience, grit, and an unbreakable spirit with a fly. Just when you think you’ve figured them out, they vanish, leaving you casting again and again, but it’s this challenge, this relentless pursuit, that hooks you. Known as the “fish of a thousand casts,” these “chrome ghosts” retreat in the runs and swift currents of Idaho’s rivers, waiting for us to try them.
Overview of Idaho: The What, Where, and Why
Before I moved to the Pacific Northwest, I thought of steelhead as exclusively coastal fish – limited to the oceanfront rivers stretching from Northern California, up through Oregon, onto Washington’s coast and the Olympic Peninsula, now British Columbia, and even reaching Alaska. I was aware of the Great Lakes “steelhead,” but there’s already enough debate on whether they’re truly steelhead or simply adapted rainbows. That’s a discussion for another time. Yet, these fish make a remarkable journey 500 to 900 miles away from the Pacific Ocean, pushing deep into the mainland—all the way to the Gem State of Idaho.
The steelhead’s journey to Idaho is nothing short of epic. It begins at the mouth of the Columbia River, just northwest of Portland, Oregon, a point where they’re still in brackish water, getting their last taste of the ocean. From there, they enter the mainstem Columbia River, making their way northeast, eventually across the Oregon border and into Washington. Finally, they hit a major branching point, the Snake River’s confluence near Washington’s Tri-Cities. From here, the Snake River serves as the only ‘one-lane highway’ that brings these fish into Idaho’s waters. The Snake River is essential; without it, Idaho would never have had these fish to begin with. This interstate lets these fish enter Idaho’s Clearwater River, the Salmon River, and continue up the Snake. These are some of the most fabled steelhead fisheries in the lower 48. These fish were all born in these rivers before they made the backward journey down these rivers to grow into adults at sea.
History and Habitat
Idaho is home to strictly summer-run steelhead, although confusingly, winter months are often a good time to catch them. These fish begin their migration up the Columbia in the summer, with the quickest of these swimmers arriving in Idaho as early as July, hence the name. While many coastal rivers have winter-run fish and summer-run fish, they all get their categorical definition from when they start their trek out of the saltwater. Not to make this any more confusing, but there are two main steelhead runs in Idaho: A-run and B-run – both of which are summer run variants. A-run fish are typically smaller, spending only one year in the ocean, while B-run steelhead spend two or three years growing in the ocean, reaching impressive sizes of 15 to 20 pounds. Anglers casually throw terms around like “one salt” or “three salt” fish to talk about these steelhead and the estimated number of years they ate live seafood. A-run steelhead are found in all 3 systems of Idaho – the Clearwater, the Snake, and the Salmon but are more common in the Snake and Salmon rivers. B-run steelhead are almost exclusive to the Clearwater River, though some stray into the Salmon and Snake Rivers and their other tributaries.
Once in the Snake, Idaho steelhead face even more challenges. Dams make every mile harder, demanding energy and persistence as they navigate upriver. Yet they press on, with instincts finely tuned to lead them up these rivers that might be foreign to them ever since their conception. Their journey isn’t just a biological marvel – it’s a testament to their resilience and strength. The four giant dams on the Columbia River and the four more dams on the Lower Snake River present formidable obstacles. Though I’m not a fisheries biologist, I’ve done some minor work with Trout Unlimited, and even with some regular common sense, it’s evident that these dams have severely impacted steelhead migration and reduced their populations to a fraction of historic numbers. This article is not about these dams, but I do encourage you to look into the effects of the lower 4 Snake River Dams. If these dams don’t receive some attention, these Idahoan gifts may become extinct in the near future.
The rugged scenery surrounding each of these rivers is breathtaking, from rolling hills covered in sagebrush to higher-elevation pine forests full of wildlife. Wherever these fish may be, expect some of the most gorgeous Pacific Northwest scenery you can imagine.
How to Target Steelhead in Idaho: What to Look For
Steelhead have a tendency to migrate at night and in low-light conditions, think morning and evening. During the day, they take refuge in deeper pools and runs. This is the time of day when it’s best to target these fish. When fishing for steelhead, imagine yourself as the fish: you want to seek out resting spots sheltered from the main current. Deep troughs, boulders, and pockets of structure are ideal holding spots where steelhead can pause during their journey. Target these areas, and you’ll have an ideal chance at finding a fish.
Access to steelhead fishing in Idaho varies by river. The Clearwater River offers extensive highway access, with classic stops at memorable destinations like the Red Shed Fly Shop. The Snake River is more remote, particularly in Hells Canyon, with few roads providing easy entry on most of the river. Jet boats can access Hells Canyon for those looking to explore this less accessible area. If you have a boat, sections of the Clearwater are also easily accessed. There is great raft access on both the Clearwater and Salmon River systems, too. The Salmon River is renowned for its untouched wilderness and rich fishing culture – in towns like Challis, Salmon, and Stanley. This country will make even the most experienced outdoorsman’s jaws drop. This area represents some of Idaho’s most pristine landscapes, and a trip down the Salmon River, or any of its forks, is an experience anglers, rafters, and any outdoorsman cherish alike.
Fly Fishing Techniques and Gear
Targeting steelhead in Idaho is one of the most thrilling experiences you can have with a fly rod. If you’re set on pursuing steelhead with a fly, there are two main methods: fishing with an indicator or fishing a swung fly. If you’re after the true Idaho steelhead experience, a swung fly is essential. I would encourage you to try Spey fishing with a two-handed rod, but single-handed swinging is just as common on these rivers. Fishing with an indicator is a simple and reliable way to target steelhead on the fly. The rig consists of an indicator on a 9’ 8wt fly rod, or perhaps a switch rod, with a weighted stonefly, jigfly, nymph, or egg fly. Cast up stream of holding spots and drift your indicator rig through likely areas. Watch the indicator for any movement indicating a strike and set the hook.
Swinging flies for steelhead is the preferred method of targeting these wild fish. While it can be, and is, done on a single-hand rod, the common setup consists of a two-handed rod, often ranging from 11 to 15 feet in length, and a shooting head. Anglers make downstream casts at an angle and “swing” the water with a tight line and Spey flies. When a fish takes your fly on the swing, the ensuing chaos and power makes it all worth it. Every single fish you are fortunate enough to have an encounter with brings this immense feeling of power followed by explosive runs.
Swinging traditional flies is what Idaho steelhead fishing is all about. Anglers often fish a more traditional, longer, and thinner Scandi-style line with a floating leader on a Spey rod with a size 4 to 8 wet fly. You’ll see a range of Spey rods out there, from 11-17 feet and 6-10 weight fly rods. Though this is the case, the standard Spey setup is a 13-foot-7 weight paired with a Scandi-style head (more on Skagit-style heads later), as this will tackle any steelhead river you fish. The 13-foot 7wt is the “9-foot 5wt equivalent” in Spey fishing as it is pretty much the most universal rod for all tactics and sizes of fish. Swinging with a standard 9’ 8wt is common, as well, for the single-hand variation of swinging, and having a selection of leaders/tips gives you great access as well with a standard floating line.
Traditional flies – like the Green Butt Skunk, Purple Peril, or Lady Caroline – are fished near the surface, often just a couple of inches below it. These flies, and thousands of similar flies, are the main flies you’ll see from late summer and throughout the fall. They’re small, anywhere in sizes from 2-12. With most falling in the size 4-8 range. These flies measure 2 inches all the way down to 1 centimeter… or maybe even smaller. You’ll be shocked at the willingness of a steelhead to chase one of these flies down. If you’re after the ultimate thrill, try throwing a skater up on the surface. Idaho is one of the few places in the world where swinging a skater gives you a fair shot at a hookup with a steelhead, and it’s as exciting as fly fishing gets.
For the more modern approach of Spey angling, Skagit-style lines are also popular, and they let you throw heavier, flashier flies like intruders and large egg-sucking leeches. These thicker shooting heads have a more bulky taper, allowing the ability to throw sink tips and more weight. Sink tips on a single-handed rod will also do the same. When starting with two-handed rods, Skagit is more user-friendly and could even be slightly more effective, though this is an area up for debate. Although Skagit setups work year-round, traditional flies and a Scandi rig, or a floating leader on a single-handed rod offer a great chance for fall anglers. While traditional-style flies are fun to fish, steelhead are opportunistic and aggressive, and they’ll eat a variety of flies. Use what excites you! One of the incredible things about swinging a fly is that you can fish in whatever fashion brings you confidence. Small and thin traditionals or huge and bulky leeches – they all work.
As fall fades into December, these fish become less likely to chase a traditional fly from a distance, which is when you should switch to a Skagit rig (with sinking tips) and a larger profile fly. By late winter (February and later) many anglers hang up their rods, including myself, but some anglers keep fishing on until April or May. These fish have been pressured and are starting to show signs of the long season, and it is time for them to fulfill their reproductive journey. It is here where we get the smolts that will navigate their way out to the ocean and grow so they can journey right back up as adults to where they hatched in the river, perpetuating this amazing cycle. Though it is late in the season, and these fish are likely spawning, they’re still there to be caught if regulations allow it.
Final Thoughts
These fish can take hundreds, sometimes thousands of casts, before you feel even the slightest tug. I once heard it said that your first steelhead on the swing might take 10,000 casts, and after that, each fish will still take a thousand more. Steelhead fishing isn’t about catching big fish; it’s about something deeper and harder to explain – the word “mystical” is the best thing that comes to mind.
The magic of steelhead fishing lies in the experience itself – standing in the same water that these fish have traveled in that connects all the way back to the ocean. You’re in the presence of creatures that have survived an epic, exhausting journey hundreds of miles upriver. Just being near them, casting a fly, carries a sense of awe that’s impossible to put into words. The goal isn’t simply to land a fish… it truthfully is to engage with this timeless, remarkable species on its own terms.
Special Note
I want to thank my friend Cade Crookshanks for inspiring my love for steelhead and traditional fishing methods. Steelhead fishing is more than the catch; it’s the time shared with friends. Cade and I have grown close on the river, and he’s taught me why these fish are so special. Steelhead fishing isn’t about numbers. I started fly angling Euro-nymphing and evolved through dry-dropper rigs to Spey angling – and I’ve learned each method has its place. For steelhead, it’s all about swinging for me… and for most serious steelhead anglers. Cade’s knowledge and passion have shaped my journey. Without him, I wouldn’t be the angler I am today. A friend like Cade brings meaning to every moment on the river, showing the true power of steelhead fishing, and I encourage you all to go fishing with someone like Cade to enhance your steelhead journey.
