Idaho Steelhead

[Nor-tah]

Steelhead have always been a fish that intrigued me. Rainbows that learned that the Pacific Ocean was a better place to find food and live that the freshwater rivers they started in. Evolution at work. Then, after growing large in the Ocean, they run back to where they started to drop their eggs and return to the ocean again.

So when Everet from Idaho invited me up I jumped at the chance!! Got a few of my good buddies from the forum to join me and at 5:00 PM Friday we were off!! We met Everet in Idaho Falls and drove up to Motel Deluxe in Salmon! We arrived at 12:15 AM and tried to get some shut-eye. At 4:00 AM we were up and on the road for North Fork and then Shoup.

We got to the run we wanted to fish right before the sun came up. The river was beautiful as the sun started to shine over the deep canyon walls.

Everet was the first to strike steel with the crazy three way swivel, slinky, corky, plastic rigs.
A female that swam more that 600 miles to where he caught her. She will taste good on the smoker.


Orvis1 had the most takes on this run but it didnt happen for him. Is that a spinning rod on the river Orvis?? Tisk tisk.. when in Rome.

We brought the raft and had an interesting time crossing the river.

Everet caught some more fish... typical. I was still skunked. We wanted to use the raft further up river so we didnt deflate it and took it up the road the only way we could with the car.


Lets see... next stop was this run.

This is Stevos picture. He lost a MONSTER in this run so I think he sat down and took this picture. This fish grabbed the lure and took off up river just peeling drag. We ran over and told him to tighten the drag thinking it was too loose. He did and a few seconds later the 12 pound leader snapped. He showed us how tight the drag was right after and I had to use two hands to get it to pull. This fish had to be huge as it was just ripping it.

Finally we moved to a third and final run. Had to wait in line for turns to fish it but there were definitely fish there!

We spent the rest of the day there and caught a few more fish.
Stevo got a nice one and I got my first and only Steelhead of the trip just as the sun was setting.



My tripmeter read 1006 miles when I finally got home on Sunday. It was a long trip but really fun. Couldnt have done it without good buds to help share costs. A big thanks to Everet and those that helped with gear suggestions and even donated gear to the trip.

[Tigru]

Very very cool! I would absolutely love to do a trip like that.

[B-randon]

Good job gettin into the chrome fellers

[.45]

Uh......I think you guy's need a bigger boat !!

At least everybody is smiling....looks like a great time !! Nice weather, pretty river, good company, willing fish, no food....

Nice report !!!

[STEVO]

Thanks again for inviting me on the trip guys. I had a BLAST and now im completely addicted. I think im gonna try to make it a annual trip as my first ice off experience Those fish are definately fighters. Nothing like I have ever fished for here!!!! Definately have some learning to do but that will only mean more fish

[horsesma]

Looks like a lot of fun!

That's all I need, another outdoor addiction!!!!!

[lunkerhunter2]

Thanks for the invite Kyle!

[dartangion]

Beautiful fish in an equally beautiful place...doesn't get any better than that. Thanks for the report man!

[Fleigenbinder]

Great Pics Great Story and I am sure the memories will last a lifetime!

[.45]

Thanks for the invite Kyle!

I think you and I missed this part of the post.....

my good buddies from the forum to join me

He only calls me when he's in trouble !!!