Multi-day steelhead fishing / Main Salmon Lodge trips: We can arrange Idaho steelhead fishing trips on the Main Salmon River in mid-to-late October on which we stay in lodges each night instead of camping. We use the McKenzie boats on these trips. The lodges offer a degree of comfort over camping at this time of year, especially if the weather turns marginal. We do not have much bird hunting opportunity on this section of the river. It is within the River of No Return Wilderness Area (now known as Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area), and more isolated than the Lower Salmon. We see bighorn sheep and other wildlife here. We will see some jet boats, but they thin out a few miles from the launch sites. Usual trip length is 5 days. This type of trip has been popular for years on the Rogue River, but has not caught on here. Several jet-boat outfitters fish this area from riverside lodges, but drift boating this water is a unique experience, and very effective.
Fall Steelhead / Chukar Cast & Blast From late September through mid-October, we offer five-day trips on the Lower Salmon, fishing for steelhead and hunting chukar partridge. We may also fish for small mouth bass, trout, or sturgeon. This is primarily a combination trip--on a particular trip focus will depend on interests of the participants and which activity is productive at the time. There is some good whitewater, primarily in a half-day segment of the river. Click here for more details on our Cast & Blast Fishing Trip
Spring Steelhead Fishing
1 Day Fishing Trip
$350.00 includes fishing tackle (for 2 fishermen)
Fall Steelhead Fishing
1 Day Fishing Trip
$350.00 including fishing tackle (for 2 fishermen)
Fall Steelhead Fishing
5 Day Lodge Stay Trip
$2600 Tackle Included
Fall Steelhead /Chukar
Cast & Blast Fishing Trip
5 Day Camping
$2100 Tackle Included
February through March
Water conditions permitting
October through December
Water conditions permitting
October 20, October 27
Call for other Dates
October 3, 10, and 17th
Call for other Dates
Drift Boat Steelhead Fishing on the Salmon River in the Salmon City Area
Drift Boat Steelhead Fishing on the Salmon River in the Salmon City Area
Drift Boat Steelhead Fishing on the Main Salmon River
Drift Boat Steelhead Fishing on Lower Salmon River
Though the steelhead fishing season opens the first of September, usually fishable numbers don’t arrive in the Salmon area until the middle of October. Fish remain in the area until late March or early April, roughly the beginning of spawning. After this, most steelhead are upstream, in the Challis or Stanley area. Ice interferes with steelhead fishing in winter, though there are ice-free days or afternoons scattered throughout the winter. While ice may arrive in the Salmon area in early November in some years, usually we expect to fish until mid-November, and sometimes later. Usually the ice jams break up in late February or early March, allowing fishing through March. (Best times for Steelhead Fishing in Idaho)
Steelhead Fishing methods with our Idaho fishing guides can include fly fishing and casting spoons or bouncing lead, but using hot-shots, or plugs, from the drift boat is a very effective method, especially for fishermen who are relatively new to steelhead fishing. Drift boat steelhead fishing provide access to water that can be difficult to reach from the road. Especially in the Salmon area, there are frequent changes in the river bed that mean changes in steelhead holding water. A fishing guide who is current on these changes can be a great advantage. A good fisherman who hasn’t fished this water for a few seasons will have a fair amount of catching up to do.
Fly Fishing for Steelhead has become more popular In recent years. Some of the best steelhead fly fishing in Idaho is in the Salmon area, where the river is smaller and fish can be more easily pinpointed than in the larger water downstream. Fly fishing for steelhead is best in mid-fall, while water temperature is still in the 40s or higher. Often this becomes a balancing act. If you fish too early, there may not be enough fish to be productive. Too late results in water temperatures that are too cold for best response to a fly. Usually the last half of October provides a good opportunity for steelhead fly fishing trips.
© 2006 – 2011 Aggipah River Trips. All Rights Reserved
Website Designed by McDonald Web Design
208-756-4167
Call Today to Book your Salmon River Rafting Trip
Idaho Whitewater Rafting Trips
Idaho Fishing Trips
Making waves for over 35 years
Aggipah E-News
Sign up to receive news on
our special offers, upcoming events, and feature stories!
Visit Us on
Aggipah River Trips
P.O. Box 425
Salmon, ID 83467
(208) 756-4167
Email: bill@aggipah.com
Licensed & Bonded Outfitter
Permitted by Salmon Challis National Forest
Member of the Outfitters & Guide Association
Idaho Salmon River Rafting Vacations
Your Vacation Your Way!
IDAHO SALMON RIVER STEELHEAD FISHING WITH AGGIPAH’S STEELHEAD FISHING GUIDES
Day Steelhead Fishing Trips in Salmon City area from September through March, water conditions permitting. We fish for steelhead by the day near Salmon, floating in drift boats through ranch lands with only limited road access. We fish Hot-shots from the boat, and stop to cast from the bank for variety. The river is smaller in this area, so fish location can be predicted with more precision than farther downstream. This benefits the fly fisherman in particular. Since a drift boat carries only two fishermen, a guide can provide more individual attention than on a boat with larger capacity. This is a very scenic area, with frequent views of the Continental Divide. We may see otter, deer, geese, or bald eagles as we float. Fishermen usually stay in a motel in Salmon, and fish one or more days. We furnish lunch, tackle and carry a heater in the boat.
Idaho Salmon River Steelhead Fishing is our most exciting fishing! These 5-15 lb. fish have a life history similar to salmon, coming into the river from the Pacific in early fall to over winter and spawn in early spring. Some of these fish are “wild” fish, which are released, but many are hatchery-raised, and can be kept.
Zip's Tips
Remember your license and steelhead card!
