SALMON RIVER SPEY FISHING
If you swing, they will come
Late-September through mid-December we offer fly fishing trips for Steelhead on the Salmon River out of Riggins, Idaho. Whether it’s your goal to swing up your first Steelhead on a Spey Rod, or add another notch on the cork, we have you covered!
Generally, we find our best success from Mid-October through Thanksgiving. We sometimes even like to swing dry flies in the earlier part of the season. Run timing & water conditions play a huge role in how early in the season we can start, and how late we can fish through. We can schedule Salmon River fly fishing Jan-March, but we encourage you to stick to the fall & early winter fishery if possible.
Our professional guides will be beside you the entire day, rowing you from run-to-run, giving advice (if you want it!), netting your fish, and helping you select the best fly to use. We want you to be successful, whether you’re a seasoned veteran fly fisherman, or new to the art. We will put you on the best water, boost your confidence, and increase your odds of hooking into an amazing Salmon River Steelhead
What to bring
Salmon River Drifters provides you with a guide, drift boat (for on-water transportation between runs), and knowledge of productive Salmon River Steelhead fly water. For standard trips, please come with your own Waders, Spey Rod, Flies, & Line.
We will fish 4-6 runs per day depending on angler experience, time of the year, and stretch of water we fish. Steelhead are well-known for being extremely tough to hook (and land) on the fly. We highly recommend coming for at least 2-3 days. After that first grab and scream of the reel, the patience will be well paid off!
Instructional trips where we provide the gear are available with limited availability, please call for details! (208) 507-8447
Please see the dropdown list for recommendations on gear!
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Waders: Required for all fly fishing trips. Please layer underneath appropriately, the river temperatures during Steelhead season can range anywhere from 33-55 degrees depending on the month.
Jacket: Puffy jacket or fleece with extra layers underneath a waterproof wading jacket.
Wading Boots: Felt or studded boots are preferred. If you wear studded boots, please bring a pair of “stud covers” to protect our boats from unnecessary damage.
FELT SOLES NOTE: If you choose to wear felt soled boots, we ask that you wash them thoroughly before your trip with hot water and soap. Felt boots are known for spreading invasive species between river systems.
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When fly fishing, we primarily target Steelhead using Spey Rods. We prefer a 12-14’ 7wt-8wt rods.
You have a few options for heads, tips, and leader/tippet depending on the time of year.
Lines, Tips, leader:
Skagit - Skagit lines are preferred for the majority of our trips, the importance of being able to swing and turn over a large fly and sinking tip can’t be understated. Pair them with a variety of 10-12’ MOW sink tips such as T8, T11, & T14. It’s also nice to have a mixture of intermediate tips such as shorter 5’ T8 & T11. Tip them with 12’-18’ of your preferred leader/tippet (12-16lb).
Scandi - Scandi lines will work in the very early part of our season, when fish are sitting shallow high in the shallow runs, or if you are wanting to skate surface flies. Tip them with 12’-18’ of your preferred leader/tippet (12-16lb).
Though plenty of patience is required, early season skating can be an extremely exciting way to catch a Steelhead 500 miles from the ocean.
We see the best success Spey Fishing from Mid October through Mid November.
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Classic Salmon River Spey Flies:
Hair wing flies and feather wing flies as well as Intruder flies.
Green butt Skunk, Purple Peril, Blue Charm, Beats me, Fall Favorite.
Lady Caroline, Orange Heron, Winters hope, are some feather wind.
Hoh-bo Spey, Articulate Leech, Bunny leech and a few intruder flies.
Skaters:
Skating Muddler, October Caddis, Bomber patterns,
For Spring fishing:
Egg patterns, sculpin/goby patterns, Egg sucking leech, Green Butt Skunk, Copper John Nymph, Batman Nymph
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Most of our Fly Fishing guests have intimate knowledge of fly fishing - That usually puts us in the position of just supplying the boat, maybe a few flies, and the local knowledge.
We don’t believe in gatekeeping the art of fly fishing, or the Salmon River Canyon. We would love to teach you and help you grow as an angler.
You will still be required to provide your own waders and clothing, but we have the rest covered.
Your day will start with foundational instruction on fly fishing for Steelhead & how to cast a Spey Rod. Throughout the day you will build on that lesson with constant input from your guide, and hopefully at some point you will feel that tug and hear that reel scream with your first Salmon River Steelhead on the other end!
Instructional trip opportunities are limited. Please call for details! (208) 507-8447
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2024-2025
$450 for the boat
Maximum 2 anglers + guide per boat
Lunch addition - $12/angler
2025-2026
$480 for the boat
Maximum 2 anglers + guide per boat
Lunch addition - $12/angler
LOCATION & TRAVEL
If you aren’t local and wondering where you should fly to: Your nearest airports are going to be in Boise, Idaho (3.5 hours south of Riggins) & Lewiston, Idaho (2 hours north of Riggins). You can obtain a rental vehicle in both Boise & Lewiston, but will have more options in Boise.
Nearest Accommodations
There are a variety of lodging options in Riggins and the surrounding area to suit any budget. We meet all of our guests at the Salmon Rapids Lodge in Riggins and recommend them for your night(s) in town. Mention that you’re fishing with us for 10% off your room any time from April-December! More lodging options can be found here (Salmon River Chamber of Commerce).
Lets get you on the water.
Have a question? Let us know here! We cant wait to get you out on the water!
We will get back to you as soon as possible!