The Bent Rod Outdoors

04/02/2026

Well,
Rivers up about three fold over normal, been raining off and on for 24 hours and Stanly has a fresh couple inches of snow. Now's the time when the hardcore show up......was hoping the cooler temps would help with our water conditions over the weekend but its not looking good. Currently we have about a foot or two of visibility here in town, Normally I would say clearer up stream but its not. Water temps aren't too bad still in the low 40s. Fishing section 18 took a big hit last week. Section 19 is still showing amazing catch rates(prior to the flow increase) so that's where you gonna go to pet a fish. There are still quite a few fish to chase behind town and even below Ellis. Still worth a shot IMO, after all we are eternal optimist. Just cant be too speciesistic, the tug is the drug.
Not sure how the rest of Steelhead season will go, but I'm fairly excited to see what May brings, Should be a decent year for Pre fluvial fish.
Links Below
East Fork Flow Gauge
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-13297380/ =continuous-00060-0&period=P7D&showFieldMeasurements=false&compare=true&showMedian=true
F&G Catch Rates and Hatchery Returns
https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/harvest
https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/returns

03/24/2026

Fish Report:
This last weekend was rough. Guys in Section 19 did well while the others not so much. This is not due to run timing, but an immense amount of snow melted in a short time span. We added roughly 1000 CFS to our flows in 3 days and with that came the mud. It has started to right itself with about 3-4 ft of visibility below Sunbeam and more so above. With overnight lows well below freezing at elevation and daytime highs moderating, the river should be in prime shape for the upcoming weeks. PIT tags are moving with a lot of upper river wild fish in the mix and a few sawtooth tags as well. I expect to see those being replaced by Pahsimeroi fish here shortly. With the amount of upper river tags, section 18 should see a pickup in success as they replace our Sawtooth fish. Both Facilities are sitting on roughly 1000 fish apiece, so plenty more on the way.
Water Temps are Seasonal, high 30-low 40s above Challis and low to mid 40s at Ellis.
Links to F&G Info
Hatchery Returns: https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/returns
Latest Fishing Report: https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-steelhead-fishing-report-3-24-2026

03/16/2026

Fish Report
Steelhead: Pahsimeroi has about 400 Fish captured, Sawtooth hasn't reported; historically they don't put a trap in till the end of this month, again assuming there are several dozen fish waiting. Upriver was the ticket if you had to pet a fish. River bumped about 200 cfs on Saturday, it has since returned, with about 800 CFS at the East Fork Gauge. With summer like temps this week I would think fishing will be tough through the weekend in all sections, possibly killing the down stream fishery as water temps will have the fish pushing up. We will see some color from runoff but do not think it will be much more than a 7-10 day event. Below Ellis, currently it's mostly a morning bite with water temps in the low to mid 40s(AM Temps) and cloudy, slightly cooler and clearer above the East Fork(was 42 at 530 last eavening). This last week we've seen 60 tags over 11 mile, with 37 of those in the last 3 days. Bobbers & beads seem to be popular with the upriver crowd. I would assume the same will work below as well. Few fish have come from spoons and spinners, some from roe and shrimp fisherman. Flyfishers are having luck with egg patterns, Stone nymphs and dark streamers(Suprise, Surprise).
Get out while you can and enjoy the resouce!

Links to F&G reports
https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/harvest (Weekly Harvest)
https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/returns (Hatchery Numbers)
https://ptagis.org/Data/Observations (Pit Tag Passage Numbers. Select "USE" For the location)

03/08/2026

Fish Report
Steelhead still Scattered from Stanley to the Middle Fork. Pahsimeroi has about 150 Fish in the trap and we're waiting to see what Sawtooth has waiting, Assumption is 4 to 6 Dozen. Water Temps Above Challis are holding in the upper 30s while below Ellis is creeping into the low 40s. Although the Catch Rates would Suggest Different(single digit hours in section 18 and 19) there is still A lot of fish in the Salmon Country working their way up. In the last 7 days there were around 75 Pittags over the 11 mile Array. Beads and Spoons are popular, Fly guys are starting to look at globugs a little more, however I would still be nymphing stones. Swingers look at black and purples, pick you favorites.

03/01/2026

Upper Salmon Fish Report
Fishing is Great, The catching is good.
Fish are being caught from Stanley to Salmon. (Larger Fish Population Still Down Stream of Ellis) Mornings seem to be best down stream of Ellis while upstream the afternoon seems to be better. Lost of people having multiple fish days.
Hard tackle guys look at greens and or blues for spoons and spinners, Chartreuese and black, Chrome and black, Pink and Purple combinations have worked for the drift and jig folk. Beads and Bobbers are starting to show Promise.
For the Fly Anglers, Still Swinging Big egg Sucking leeches, Hoh Bo's and Burnt Chickens. Nymphing big stoneflys and egg Patterns.
In the last 7 Days there has been over two Dozen PIT tags pass the 11 Mile Array. A few of them from 22 and 23 releases........(pigs).
I would dare to say we are two weeks ahead of "schedule".
Probably wouldnt wait till April, Unless you prefer the shallow water above Sunbeam.
Get out there and flog some water this week and make some memories.
Below is a link to last weeks Creel Survey and F&G's Report.
https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-steelhead-fishing-report-02-24-2026

02/24/2026

02/11/2026

Upper Salmon Fishing Report
Its been a Fisherman's Winter if there ever was one. The River is once again ice free and the fish are swimming.
Steelhead has been consistent over the last few weeks. with many people having multiple fish days. Some reports of fish as far up as Squaw Creek, but most are below town still.
Not many "new" fish, but with dead-water officially out, it wont be long. We've had success swinging leech patterns and nymphing when the water turns viscous. Black jigs, Colored Spoons are the ticket for hard tackle. The bead hatch will show up soon as well, offering a little more variety in your arsenal.
The Ice on the lakes is starting to look iffy, use extreme caution if you decide on the Stillwater options in the area. Pinks and orange with waxworms are working universally.
The forecast is looking like nice days with cold nights. Slush ice might be an issue first thing in the morning, so don't feel rushed. Sleep in, have a good breakfast and let the water warm up a little. Currently its floating between 34 and 38 Degrees depending on area and time of day.
Enjoy the three day Weekend.

02/10/2026

01/29/2026

Challis Area Fishing Report for January:

River Fishing on the Main Salmon has been put on hold for the last few weeks, probably the next few a swell. The Slush Ice is plentiful and lasting all day. Once Stanley gets above 25 at night we should be back to it.

There is fishable ice on the area still waters.
Mackay Reservoir is producing Kokanee in the 12 to 14" range. Pink and Orange Ice Jigs tipped with bait would be the main tackle.

Jimmy Smith Lake is producing 13-16" Rainbows, Jigging spoons tipped with Nightcrawlers. Pink,Orange or Chartreuse Ice jigs will do well also.

Big Lost Tailwater has been itself. Low and clear, Small Midge and baetis patterns are working as are Some Small Streamer Patterns.

01/08/2026

Bored?
"Winter" have you feeling Cooped up?
Why not go catch some fish?
Water levels and temps are up for this time of year, there is no shore ice and the Steelhead are biting.
What's your Excuse?

12/24/2025

The Bent Rod Outdoors will be open today 9am-3pm to help with your last minute shopping. We will be closed Christmas Day. Merry Christmas!