The legends of steelhead fishing are many. The fish of 1000 casts that many anglers have to chase for many years before encountering for the first time. These amazing fish are a testament to not only the power of the sea but the determination of life’s need to reproduce.
Steelhead or migratory rainbow trout are native to the pacific north west and much of the pacific rim as far west as Japan and Russia. These magnificent fish leave their home rivers where they were born and travel in some cases hundreds of miles downstream to the ocean where they can grow to proportions unseen in most natural rivers.
There are many types of migratory ocean going fish but steelhead are one of the few species that does not “expire” after doing so. Salmon on the other hand will naturally decompose after they spawn, a natural cycle of life and death restoring nutrients to their environment while furthering their bloodline.
As modern civilization has expanded into nature we have inadvertently harmed some of these natural processes. Through the Addition of dams along waters ways we block fish from reaching their spawning grounds. No where is this problem more prevalent than on americas second largest watershed system, the Columbia.
Joining with the Snake in Washington, the Columbia dumps out over a million cubic feet of water per second into the pacific ocean. Water from as far east as Yellowstone National park in Wyoming over 700 miles away. The sound where the mouth of the Columbia meets the pacific ocean is one of the most dangerous in the world because of the two powerful forces pushing against each other. This is only the beginning for a steelhead.
Fish have to travel through the sound up the mouth of the river up-steam until they reach the confluence of the Snake and the Columbia. Here they hang a right then keep going until they reach the first of 4 lower snake river dams. While these dams have fish ladders that act as a passageway for fish to continue on their journey upstream, populations have not been doing well. Over the last 10 years there has been over a 90% decline in wild steelhead populations. Immediately the counter point is, ‘well so what we can raise hatchery steelhead and fill our rivers full’. However nature doesn't like when we play god. Hatchery steelhead cannot reproduce in the wild with anywhere near the same success rates as wild steelhead and you can only raise so many fish on so much DNA. You have to have wild fish to keep the gene pool healthy. Without wild fish hatchery fish cant sustain. In order to maintain wild fish population fish must navigate the lower four dams and continue up-stream past the confluence of the snake, and into the Clearwater river.
Back in November of 2023 we went to see for ourselves what the Clearwater had to offer and test our mettle going toe to toe with these massive anadromous fish. Steelhead fishing presents anglers with both exhilarating challenges and breathtaking rewards, and we were in for a learning experience. Renowned for its difficulty, requiring patience, expertise, and a deep understanding of the fish's behavior we had an idea oh what we might be in for - a cold time not catching much. These unique creatures are known for their strength and cunning, proving difficult to catch and often putting up a spirited fight that tests the angler's resolve to the fullest when hooked.
November brings with it a mix of weather conditions that further add to the challenge of steelhead fishing in the pacific northwest. As autumn transitions into winter, anglers must contend with dropping temperatures, unpredictable winds, and precipitation. The cold, crisp air permeates the surrounding landscape, creating an atmosphere of quiet solitude and rugged beauty. Bundled in layers of warm clothing, we braved the elements, casting our lines into the swift currents of the Clearwater in search of the elusive steelhead.
Stealth and strategy are paramount, as steelhead are sensitive to disturbances in their environment and can easily be spooked by careless movements or loud noises. We floated down the river pulling over and stopping to swing our flies every few holes, meticulously studying the water, and searching for secret pockets fish might hold in. As we went we took in the awe of the surrounding environment and the impressive feat these fish are able to achieve. Swimming back and forth from the ocean to their spawning grounds in creeks deep in Idaho and sometimes doing this multiple times. This is where the term A run and B run fish comes from.
An A run fish is a fish that is typically younger and has most likely only traveled to the ocean a single time. However, a B run fish is typically a larger, older, in most cases darker fish that has made this journey to the ocean and back multiple times, sometimes living in the pacific ocean for up to 3 years!
Despite the formidable challenges it presents, steelhead fishing in Idaho, offers an amazing opportunity to connect with nature and test one's grit against the forces of the wild. Whether battling the elements, outsmarting wily steelhead, or forging bonds with fellow anglers, each expedition promises an unforgettable adventure and the chance to experience the timeless allure of angling in one of nature's most pristine settings.
As we reluctantly packed up our gear and bid farewell to the Clearwater River, we were left with a great sense of gratitude. Though our expedition had not yielded the coveted steelhead catch, it had enriched us. We had witnessed the untamed beauty of nature, had a great time on the river, and honed our skills in the art of spey casting. As we journeyed homeward, we vowed to return to the Clearwater, knowing that the pursuit of the elusive steelhead was more than a quest for a prized catch, but a journey of discovery and connection to the power of nature that would continue to beckon us back.
