View Full Version : Fishing Hells Canyon
What kind of boat do you have? Also how experienced are you running BIG rivers?
This time of year the Steelies are low in the river. Spinners and plugs are the big ticket right now. Later in the fall and into the winter the fishing can get really hot up near the dam.
I'd be really careful running that river if you don't know it. I know of one 22" Duckworth still pinned to the bottom of the river below Wild Sheep. The lower river is relatively safe, and that's where I'd fish right now. As a matter fo fact, the Snake below where the Salmon dumps in should be red hot right now. There have been a ton of fish over Lower Granite. You might call The Black Sheep in Lewiston. They usually have up to date info.
diamondfish
09-15-2002, 04:10 PM
Well, I think that I will schedule this trip when we get some weather to bring the fish near the dam. If you can read between the lines, this means that I don't have a sled.......yet. I am excited about fishing Hells Canyon but I can wait until the fish get to a point in the river where I can get at them. The only problem with this theory......If I can get to the fish so can eveyone else. I am going to have to bite the bullet and buy a sled.
I look at it like this....I will travel anywhere in the state to fish salmon and steelies. How great it will be to catch a steelie that has traveled so far up-river from the ocean.
Thank you for your help
Shawn
There is fishable (from the bank) water on the lower Snake. You can get to it from Asotin. You'll need a Washington License. There is only a mile or 2 of fishable water below the dam, and I've seen it very crowded when the fish are there. I used to fish it before I bought my sled. I never did any good, but It's a cool hike.
I'll let you know when I'm headed up and maybe you can hook a ride.
diamondfish
09-15-2002, 07:57 PM
That would be great. I am always up for a new adventure. My latest, future adventure involves a float-tube, some hiking and the Deschutes River. When I was there last week, I met an Austrailian fellow, who was fishing the river and using his float-tube to access water that the boats couldn't get to. I think that I may head that direction on Wed. I figure that I may fish there for 3 or 4 days, and if the weather improves for fishing on the coast I will head that direction. The weather over here, I believe may cool, but there won't be any rain for a while to drive the masses up the river. Although my theories have been flawed before.
Shawn
All Fishing and No Work Makes Me a Happy Camper <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">
diamondfish
09-16-2002, 12:15 AM
Does anyone have any tips for fishing Hells Canyon? I would like to plan a steelhead trip, but have never fished there before. If anyone has any suggestions as to when to go and what to use I would greatly apperciate it!!
I wouldn't suggest float tubing in any moving water. It is DEADLY dangerous. If you have a kick boat type, they are designed for it, and you can lift your feet up and out of the way.