It seems like it was a long time coming but the salmon have arrived at Riggins and are starting to move up the Little Salmon River. Today June 6th 2008 is the first time since the river blew out three weeks ago that the flows have dropped below the five year mean and while the river is still high we have started to catch some salmon between Riggins and Rapid River. The river temp is still quite cold up it too is starting to come in it was 47 degrees yesterday and while we all now that 50 degrees is when things start to get exciting I expect with the dropping flows and wormer condition the river will be at the 50 degree mark within the next day or two.

 

Most of the salmon are currently being caught at the confluence of the main salmon as the temperature there is above fifty degrees and early in the season this is a normal hot spot for the salmon angler. For those who have a boat capable of handling the higher flows in the river fishing the Salmon River below Riggins is producing some nice numbers over the last two days. Most are either plunking eggs or using quick fish set up with anchovies.

 

For the brave at heart the Little Salmon is producing fish but with the high flows it is like tying into a freight train once the fish makes a move from the slack water into the main current so plan on loosing more fish then you will be able to land. I was fish with a good friend of mine yesterday who hooked into a nice salmon and once it hit the swift water and headed down stream it literally burnt up his drag system before he could do any thing with it. He tried palming the spool and all that did was burn his hand. The fish broke off when it finally came to the end of his line taking his line with it. He will be buying a new reel in the next couple of days as the heat from the drag actually melted most of the drag components to the spool.

 

So if you have been waiting for the run to begin its time to get your gear and get on the river fishing will be getting hot over the next few weeks so don’t miss out come on and join the excitement.

 

RR Smith

Salmon Steelhead and Trout Gear

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