Pacific Northwest Steelhead (Page 2): Fishing from the shore. CJ is 2.5 hours away.

Fishonoff Loc: Sacramento, CA

Johnston89 wrote:

Twin Falls Idaho?

Look up CJ Strike reservoir and see if its within striking (pun intended) distance, I love it there and we've landed some really large rainbows up there. 20 inches plus is regular and as a bonus they're some of the strongest fighting 'bows I've ever had the joy to hook into

If that's too far away let me know, I'll do my best to send ya somewhere you can catch some for sure!
Are you fishing boat or bank?

Fishing from the shore. CJ is 2.5 hours away.

Johnston89 Loc: Eastern Oregon

Fishonoff wrote:

Fishing from the shore. CJ is 2.5 hours away.

If I was staying in Twin Falls Idaho, I would definitely fish Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir
Supposed to be a fantastic fishery, for Trout as well as smallmouth bass, walleye and quite a few other

They stock it pretty heavily also so catching a limit of rainbows from the bank should be easy

I would definitely cast some spoons, like kastmasters in a variety of sizes cuz they get big in there and soak some bait as well

Let me know how it goes!!

johnlmac Loc: Salem OR

The bigger fish come in at the begging of the season and then smaller ones in Feb. Last year I hooked one that went downstream and stopped in the current. I couldn't move him back up. He kept going down and stopping to rest so I tightened down my drag and and brought him closer to shore and then about the time I was going to loosen the drag again he took off and snapped my line.

Johnston89 Loc: Eastern Oregon

johnlmac wrote:

The bigger fish come in at the begging of the season and then smaller ones in Feb. Last year I hooked one that went downstream and stopped in the current. I couldn't move him back up. He kept going down and stopping to rest so I tightened down my drag and and brought him closer to shore and then about the time I was going to loosen the drag again he took off and snapped my line.

We should definitely go catch some this winter man!

kyle1234 Loc: Roseville. Ca

I fish the following southern Oregon rivers for Steelhead, usually with a guide: Chetco, Sixes ,Elk, Rogue. Coquille, Umpqua. Do any of these strike your fancy?!

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Johnston89 wrote:

I've caught Salmon in the Columbia, Kings, Coho and Sockeye but not Steelhead there yet

I've caught steelhead in the Snake River in Oregon and Washington/Idaho, and the Grande Ronde, Wallowa, Minam and Wenaha rivers in Oregon

Hoping to expand that to new rivers in the next few years

I’d catch steelhead on the Columbia in late June quite a bit. Some times into early August. Don’t know if there was even a season then cuz I wasn’t fishing for them and just released them. I know the Natives net quite a few around Rufus in July and August.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Johnston89 wrote:

I've caught Salmon in the Columbia, Kings, Coho and Sockeye but not Steelhead there yet

I've caught steelhead in the Snake River in Oregon and Washington/Idaho, and the Grande Ronde, Wallowa, Minam and Wenaha rivers in Oregon

Hoping to expand that to new rivers in the next few years

If it’s a possibility for you I’d recommend the Clearwater river in Idaho. That’s our steelhead area for sure. Lots of guides fish up there and they catch a lot of steelhead. Just up the Clearwater from Lewiston Idaho. All the way to the Confluence of the Selway River. South out of Kooskia Idaho is another great spot for steelhead. Like 70 miles up the Clearwater from Lewiston/Clarkston where the Snake and Clearwater come together. Lots of good steelhead fishing up around there. It’s only an hour from me.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Johnston89 wrote:

If I was staying in Twin Falls Idaho, I would definitely fish Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir
Supposed to be a fantastic fishery, for Trout as well as smallmouth bass, walleye and quite a few other

They stock it pretty heavily also so catching a limit of rainbows from the bank should be easy

I would definitely cast some spoons, like kastmasters in a variety of sizes cuz they get big in there and soak some bait as well

Let me know how it goes!!

I concur. Most of my steelhead have been caught on a kastmaster. The bronze colored ones with a rainbow trout pattern.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Johnston89 wrote:

18 pounds is an absolute brute no matter where you're fishing, that had to be an epic battle man, too bad you didn't get to eat it!

Oh yeah. He was a workout for sure. Just trying to keep him in the water was the worst part. Didn’t want him coming out like a spinning top and spit my lure. They’re good at that.

johnlmac Loc: Salem OR

Yea, sounds good let me know when and were you wan to go.

Fishonoff Loc: Sacramento, CA

Johnston89 wrote:

If I was staying in Twin Falls Idaho, I would defi... (show quote)

Johnston89 Loc: Eastern Oregon

Catfish hunter wrote:

If it’s a possibility for you I’d recommend the Cl... (show quote)

I have fished the confluence once with a guide on a boat

But haven't made it to the clearwater
It's a good drive from me, would worth it if I knew of some stretches of water accessible from the bank, preferably without people standing elbow to elbow

When does the run start up there? October/November?

GLA Loc: WA State

If you haven't explored and fished the Clearwater River, that should be high on anyone's list to target some Steelies.

Johnston89 Loc: Eastern Oregon

GLA wrote:

If you haven't explored and fished the Clearwater River, that should be high on anyone's list to target some Steelies.

I plan on going this year

I've tried to do some research but can't seem to find the beginning and ends dates up there
When you can actually start catching fish, and when the best time of the season is
Guess I'll just drive up there around September/October and start fishing haha

johnlmac Loc: Salem OR

My cousins used to live in Orofino Idaho. I looked at YouTube to see if I could find info on the Clearwater river for steelhead. They said that the season starts in Sept. but you can't keep anything till Oct. 15th. They fish the river during normal winter stealhead season through Feb. There is a hatchery in Orofino and two more on the river somewhere above Orofino.