Salmon River Fishing Report 12/3/08
December 3rd and winter is about to hit us hard again.More heavy winds and lake effect on the way.
FYI The official snow fall for the Tughill thus far is 63 inches and counting. Yes that is 5 plus feet of cold white frozen H2o and much more to come I am sure. Why do we live here? Must be the fishing and low taxes. NOT.
OK time to talk steelhead. The river is choked with fish and they bite good one day and not so good the next. Typical winter fishing scenario. Same baits, same spots. Major holes are loaded up and you just have to put your time in. What a fabulous season we are having again.
I have December 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 open if you are interested.
Ben is up on his first ever steelhead trip. He was quickly inducted into the chozen frozen hall of fame. Actually it wasn't that bad now that I think of it. Temps in the low 30's and a 20 knot wind. Not bad at all.
We struggled hard on day one as the water was on the rise all day from the rain and snow melt the night before. Snow melt.... We all know what that means. Lock jaw. They still bit pretty well, but it was a very soft bite. We hooked a handful for the day and that was it. Tough for us.
Day two Ben was ready. The flows leveled out, temps were ok and bite was on from beginning to end. Ben's comments throughout the day were, how can one day make such a difference? Welcome to the world of the ironhead.Imagine I said if you only booked one day. You would have gone home with the big zero. Now you are a hero, well into double figures for the day.
Ben was scheduled for a third day but had to cut his trip short, so I had a day off. Yeah sure. Just played catch up all day.
Ben with his first steelhead and Salmon River Bt's.
OK I'll hold one too!
Even though the weather is cold, the fishing is good and the river is busy. Once again no sign of economic struggles up here. I don't ever remember seeing this many fihernman, this time of year. What does it all mean and how much pressure can the fish take? Time will tell.
Good luck and I will see you on the water. Troy