The Steelhead Ethics Code
Wild steelhead are precious and threatened. In Idaho, you may only harvest hatchery fish (clipped adipose fin). **Wild fish must never leave the water.** Proper handling—keeping them wet and releasing them quickly—is critical to ensuring these legendary fish survive to spawn.
Understanding the Run
Smaller (4-8 lbs), returning earlier (Aug-Oct). Primarily Snake and Salmon river drainages.
The giants (10-20+ lbs). Native to the Clearwater, staying an extra year at sea.
Fish that winter in deep holes and move to spawning grounds as water warms (Feb-Apr).
Tactical Approaches
Using two-handed rods and sink tips to swing large flies across current. Low success, high reward.
Highly effective for covering deep winter holes using beads or yarn flies.
A boat-based method drifting natural or artificial bait alongside the boat's speed.
The Idaho Big Three
Regarded as the premier steelhead river in the world for large B-run fish.
The 'River of No Return' offers hundreds of miles of accessible steelhead water.
Excellent bank access near Riggins for those without boats.
Pursuing the Ghost of the Clearwater: A Masterclass in Idaho Steelhead
"Steelhead fishing in Idaho isn't just about catching a fish; it's about endurance. It's the icy spray of the Salmon River in February, the rhythmic swing of a Spey rod on the Clearwater, and the sudden, heart-stopping violence of a 15-pound buck smashing your fly in a tail-out."
The Journey to Idaho: Nature's Elite Athletes
Every steelhead in an Idaho river has completed one of the most miraculous migrations in nature. After spending one to three years in the Pacific Ocean, these fish swim 900 miles upstream, climbing 7,000 feet in elevation and passing eight major dams to reach their home waters. Because of this journey, Idaho steelhead are renowned for their strength and resilience. They arrive in our waters as elite athletes of the fish world, having navigated hundreds of miles of changing water temperatures, predators, and commercial fisheries.
The sheer distance of this migration means that Idaho steelhead are "summer-run" fish, regardless of when they are actually caught. They enter the Columbia River system in the heat of the summer and slowly work their way inland, reaching regional hubs like Lewiston and Riggins as the autumn temperatures begin to dip. By the time they arrive in the Clearwater or Salmon, they represent the pinnacle of freshwater game fishing.
B-Run vs. A-Run: Decoding the Idaho Giants
Idaho is unique in having two distinct runs of steelhead, classified primarily by their destination and time spent at sea. **A-Run** fish are primarily found in the Snake and Salmon river drainages. They are generally smaller (4-12 lbs) and return earlier in the fall. They typically spend only one year in the ocean before returning to spawn.
**B-Run** fish are the true legends of the Pacific Northwest. Native to the Clearwater drainage, these fish stay an extra year in the ocean, using that time to pack on massive amounts of weight and length. A trophy B-run buck can exceed 20 pounds and 38 inches. These giants are the reason the Clearwater River is consistently ranked as one of the best steelhead rivers in the world. Their aggressive nature and sheer power make them a challenge for even the most seasoned technical anglers.
Tactical Selection: The Evolution of the Swing
Essential Gear: Don't Bring a Knife to a Gunfight
You cannot cut corners with steelhead gear. The combination of powerful fish and brutal environmental conditions will find the weak point in any setup. For fly anglers, an 8-weight single-hand or a 7-weight Spey rod is the baseline. Reels must have high-quality, cold-weather disc drags that won't freeze up when a fish takes a 50-yard run in 20-degree weather.
Wading safety is equally important. The Clearwater and Salmon rivers are massive, powerful bodies of water with slippery basalt or granite bottoms. Studded boots and a high-quality wading belt are literally life-saving pieces of equipment. We also recommend layering with high-tech synthetics and wool—cotton is a liability in Idaho's winter steelheading environments.
Regional Hotspots: Where the Magic Happens
**The Clearwater River** is the undisputed king of Idaho's steelhead waters. The section from Lewiston up to Kooskia offers hundreds of named holes and drifts. **The Salmon River**, specifically the section near Riggins, provides a more rugged, canyon-fishing experience. Here, you'll find the "Little Salmon" as well, which offers excellent bank access for those without a drift boat. Finally, **The Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam** provides a remote, wilderness experience where A-run and B-run fish converge, often giving anglers the opportunity to catch both in the same day.
The Future of the Run: Ethics and Survival
Idaho's wild steelhead populations are in a state of delicate recovery. As an angler, you are a part of the conservation solution. In Idaho, you may only harvest hatchery-origin fish, identifiable by a clipped adipose fin. Every wild fish caught—identifiable by its fully intact fins—must be treated with the utmost respect. This means never lifting the fish out of the water for a photo. A wild steelhead that has traveled 900 miles to spawn is a miracle; ensuring it reaches its spawning gravel is the highest form of respect an angler can show.