Salmon River

[TXfishingguy]

Does anyone fish the Salmon River (near Welches, also the same one that dumps into the Sandy) for steelhead or trout?
I am renting a house on this river and was wondering how the fishing is. I talked to a guide who said this is the first time in 15 years that the Salmon River is opened to Steelhead harvesting. Does this mean there are high counts of fish?
Also, I noticed this is an artificial lure only river. What lures do you throw to catch these fish?

 

[Bohemian]

Stop by the fly fishing shop in Welches...you will get an "ear full" about the state mishandling this river and allowing people to keep any steelhead they happen to catch. I don't know if anyone really knows what is going on in this river.
It's only open to the end of the month. I went up there a couple of times in July, but didn't see any fish.

Wish I could help you more...

 

[Troutier Bassier]

I fished for Trout there, Back in August '08.
I hooked one,
My dad caught two
and our Friend caught 4
Rainbows.

 

[beaverfan]

TB So these pics were taken on the Salmon River and not Salmon Creek?

 

[Troutier Bassier]

Is there a Salmon Creek by Sandy River?

 

[beaverfan]

No you posted those pics in a thread about Salmon Creek of hwy. 58. I was planning on checking it out this fall because YOUR pics showed some decent trout water. Now I don't have to go so far to check it out! LOL

 

[Troutier Bassier]

Wow, Im Confused.
I posted that one cause I though it said Salmon River, But then Troutski said he remembers it so It must be Salmon Creek.
But I thought It was on the Salmon River.
:think:

 

[beaverfan]

That is a very good point. I guess I will have to go to the Salmon River and find out!

 

[Irishrover]

Does anyone fish the Salmon River (near Welches, also the same one that dumps into the Sandy) for steelhead or trout?
I am renting a house on this river and was wondering how the fishing is. I talked to a guide who said this is the first time in 15 years that the Salmon River is opened to Steelhead harvesting. Does this mean there are high counts of fish?
Also, I noticed this is an artificial lure only river. What lures do you throw to catch these fish?

I used to fish this piece of water quite often until they shut it down. That was like you said about 15 years ago. It was a great place to sight fish for steelhead. I used a 7wt fly rod and mid size wet flies. The best place to fish was a place called final falls. It is a tough place to hike into. Makes Cedar Creek on the Sandy look like a walk in the park. There are a lot of nice holes on that river that are an easy walk. After they closed it to fishing I just used the place as a great swimming river, But you have to love real cold water. I did not fish it this year because I'm splitting my time between Newport salmon fishing and Culver fly fishing for trout. The Salmon River is a catch and release river for trout excepting brook trout. Most of what folks catch and think are trout up there are salmon and steelhead smolts. The place had a good run of chinook and I would always find spawned out salmon there. A good thing to avoid while swimming! If you havent done this yet take the hike that starts by the bridge right near the campground. That trail is beautiful and will take you to a few great holes and my favorite swimming hole.

 

[Bohemian]

Checked out the Salmon river this morning around Brightwood

Checked out the Salmon river this morning around Brightwood

Wow -- is that water clear! The Sandy looks like a chocolate milkshake, but the Salmon river is so clear that you can't believe it. Unfortunately I only managed to catch trout. I may (not sure) have seen and spooked one steelhead. Maybe there are fish up where Irish Rover mentioned in his post. Such a beautiful area up there!

 

[Siri]

I'm going to try my luck here while it's open. I've hiked and snowshoed along the river many times and spotted several good fishing holes. And hiked into the Green canyon area, very nice. Such a pretty area, but I always wondered about the history and limited fishing season here. I'll post a report after I fish.

 

[Fishtopher]

Looks like the Salmon is open for hatchery steelhead retention through the 31st of this month....

 

[TXfishingguy]

Well I just got home from my vacation up there. Man was it beautiful. The Salmon river was in the backyard of the house we rented and I fished it every morning. Caught a couple nice rainbows on small spinners. Saw two NICE steelhead swimming together in a couple of the pools off salmon river road. Couldnt get them to bite though.

Also, we drove to Badger lake...Oh my god is it beautiful and the drive was intense. It took 2 hours to go 10 miles. didn't fish it for long cause we didn't want to drive back in the dark but saw several guys in float tubes catching some small trout.


can't wait to come back and catch a steelhead!