Hell's Canyon

[comefishy]

Anyone have any info on flyfishing Hell's Canyon for trout? I've never been and will be over there next week jetboating froom Hellar Bar up to the dam. I've heard plenty about bass fishing, but nothing on trout.

Any info would be appreciated!

[Slow and Low]

Are you driving or going with the pros?

I would fish for steelhead. Like to know how you do.

[sweetwater]

We floated it last year in early July for the first time, and I fished whenever I wasn't on the oars. There is a ton of bass in there, but there's also rainbows to be had. I used ONE fly the whole trip - and caught 5 species of fish (olive/white streamer). There are huge carp in there also. I'm sure if you target trout you'll do pretty well, but I would suggest rigging up a light rod with a streamer and strip away. BUT... if I was going this time of year, I'd be targeting steel, especially below the Salmon.

The only time I took a jet boat was once about 15 years ago out of Clarkston, and it was so friggin hot that riding in the back of that boat felt like having a hair dryer pointed right at me. Good luck.

[comefishy]

Relative of mine is a veteran in the canyon, he is taking a group of 6 of us up. He's a good boat pilot, but not as versed in the fishing. That's why I'm looking for tips. From what I've seen, I don't think steelhead will be in there yet?

[D3smartie]

steelhead will be there.

[nunyet]

The best trout fishing this time of year is from rush creek to the dam . The stretch between granite and wild sheep rapids being the best as it gets fished the least . Post how you do I will be going over to my cabin in Hells
Canyon in a week or so.

If wanting to fish steelhead try the mouth of the Salmon, or of the Imnaha, 95 percent of the steelhead caught this time of year are caught at river mouths.

Hope you have more than one day in the canyon as the trip to the dam and back will take 8 to ten hours alone. Let us know how you do.

nunyet

[comefishy]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. We will be there a total of 4 days, next Thursday through Sunday. I will try to post a report when I return.