Dave’s Strategy Session - December 2025

By Dave Shuldes

shuldesd@gmail.com

Less Means More with Winter Fishing

As fall winds down in Southwest Idaho, diminishing daylight means most everything else related to fly fishing begins to shrink as well (except the size of the fish). Tinier insects, smaller flies at the vice, and lower/slower flows in our local tailwaters (the river water below dams). Summer and Fall Caddis in size 14-16 give way to Blue-Winged Olives (BWO) size18-20 and Midges size 20 and smaller.

These are very positive developments for an experienced fly fisher! First of all, go ahead and sleep in. There is no rush to get to the river at dawn. Let the day and the river warm up. Lower flows mean improved access to wading and to fish. The fish are in more predictable locations. The experienced, larger fish will be present and often hungry.

I like to keep my patterns simple in the winter. Several years ago, I was browsing in a local fly shop, and a visiting tier introduced me to the “Old Guy Fly.” There are just 2 materials and a hook. The tapered body is made by wrapping UTC 70 thread very slim and flat at the abdomen. A small bundle of white snowshoe hare’s foot provides both a wing and some substance to the thorax as the narrow UTC thread wraps it in place. I like to use brown-olive thread for BWO’s (#18-20) and black thread for midges (#20-22). Some tiers will add a very tiny tag of midge flash as a tail. This fly is an apparently a local creation as I can’t find any on-line references to tying the pattern.

I also want all stages of the entomology life cycle covered - adults (dries), emergers and nymphs. My favorite for BWO’s is the Barr Emerger, another simple pattern that uses a combination of wood duck and Flashabou as a wing case & legs. There are great YouTube videos available to follow.

For nymphs, I have really found improved success with adding body segmentation. My favorite technique for the abdomen is a Houdini Weave with narrow diameter UTC wire in silver and black. These flies, generally size 18-20, have a 2mm tungsten bead head, a tiny amount of black peacock ice dub for the thorax, with sparse white Antron and midge flash combined for a wing. The Houdini Weave technique can be found on-line.

No matter which stage of the life cycle you are fishing, the location on the river I will look for are shelves below riffles where the water deepens and slows. I typically only use dry flies if surface feeding is seen. If using a dry pattern, cast quartering upstream and use a drag-free drift. I like to use powdered floatant like Frog’s Fanny on the white rabbit wing, which will provide a nice visual reference as it drifts through the run.

When searching blindly for fish, 90% of my time is spent with tight line nymphing. The Houdini weave nymph is typically my point fly (the fly at the far end of the line) and perhaps a Barr Emerger one size larger than the dropper (the fly closer to the rod). There is approximately 10-12 inches between the 2 flies as they tumble near the bottom through the rocks on the relatively tight line set-up.

I have caught nearly all of my largest rainbows on the Boise River in town and on the South Fork of the Boise when fishing sometime between November and March over the years. Barring a major snowstorm, the lower flows and improved access to the river and fish make for an exciting opportunity. Less is more!

Position Title: President

Reports To: Board of Directors and BVFF Members

Type: Volunteer / Part-Time

________________________________________

Position Overview

The President serves as the chief executive officer of Boise Valley Fly Fishers (BVFF) and provides overall leadership and direction for the organization in accordance with its bylaws, mission, and strategic objectives. Acting under the authority of the Board of Directors, the President ensures that all orders and resolutions of the Board are implemented and that BVFF operations are carried out effectively, ethically, and in alignment with the organization’s goals.

________________________________________

Key Responsibilities

● Provide general supervision and oversight of all BVFF activities, programs, and operations, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.

● Ensure that all Board resolutions, policies, and directives are properly executed.

● Act as an authorized signatory, jointly with the Treasurer or Secretary for official BVFF Certificates of Membership and other authorized instruments.

● Sign, execute, and deliver deeds, contracts, bonds, and other legal instruments as authorized by the Board, except where such authority has been specifically delegated to another board member, officer or agent.

● Affix the BVFF seal to any document requiring it, as appropriate.

● Represent BVFF in all official capacities and serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization when interacting with external partners, members, and the public.

● Preside over meetings of the Board of Directors and general membership, ensuring efficient and productive governance.

● Collaborate with the Board and committees to advance the mission and strategic priorities of BVFF.

● Perform any additional duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or defined in the BVFF Bylaws.

________________________________________

Qualifications

● Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills. Attention to detail and reliability.

● Proficiency in tools/software relevant to role.

● Prior nonprofit, organization, or association experience (preferred but not required).

● An interest in fly fishing, education, conservation, and outdoor recreation (a plus!).

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Time and Term Commitment

● Attend monthly Board meetings (1st Thursday) and General Membership meetings (2nd Thursday).

● Estimated 10 hours per month, with additional time during events or special projects.

● The President serves for a term as defined by the BVFF Bylaws and is expected to devote the time necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the role, including presiding over meetings and representing BVFF at events and activities.

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Benefits

● Opportunity to contribute to the fly-fishing community and conservation.

● Build leadership and organizational skills.

● Network with anglers, conservationists, and community leaders.

● Recognition as a valued leader in a respected non-profit.

● Salary commensurate with experience (to be 100% donated back to BVFF)

Position Title: Newsletter Editor – The Hackle Bender

Reports To: Board of Directors

Position Type: Volunteer/Part-Time

________________________________________

Position Overview

The Editor of The Hackle Bender is responsible for planning, producing, and publishing the Boise Valley Fly Fishers’ quarterly newsletter. This role ensures that BVFF members and the wider community receive timely, engaging, and informative content that reflects the organization’s mission of promoting fly fishing education, conservation, access, and fellowship.

The Editor oversees all aspects of the newsletter—from content development and editing to layout and distribution—maintaining the publication’s quality, consistency, and alignment with BVFF’s goals and values.

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Key Responsibilities

• Plan and produce four issues of The Hackle Bender annually, ensuring timely publication each quarter (January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1).

• Solicit, gather, and edit articles, photographs, and other content from BVFF members, officers, and contributors.

• Write or curate feature stories, event recaps, conservation updates, educational articles, and member spotlights relevant to the BVFF community.

• Ensure the newsletter maintains a consistent editorial tone, visual style, and accuracy aligned with BVFF’s mission and branding.

• Coordinate with the President and Board to include official announcements, policy updates, or reports as needed.

• Collaborate with committee chairs (such as Conservation, Education, Membership, and Events) to highlight club activities and promote engagement.

• Manage the layout, design, and proofreading process using appropriate desktop publishing or online tools.

• Oversee distribution of the newsletter to BVFF members—electronically or in print—as determined by the Board.

• Maintain an archive of past issues for historical and reference purposes.

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Qualifications

• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.

• Understanding of Mailchimp or ability to learn how to use Mailchimp to produce, edit, and publish the Hackle Bender.

• Experience with newsletter production, journalism, communications, or publishing (professional or volunteer).

• Ability to coordinate content from multiple contributors and meet publication deadlines.

________________________________________

Time Commitment

Approximately 16-24 hours during the month prior to newsletter production periods.

________________________________________

Benefits

● Opportunity to contribute to the fly-fishing community and build leadership and organizational skills.

● Network with anglers, conservationists, and community leaders.

● Recognition as a valued leader in a respected nonprofit.

Welcome to our newest business member, Riparian Bliss!

Following is an introduction to their business.

Meet The New Members - The Riparian Bliss Crew.

I’m Karen. I grew up in Scotland, where breakfast often came with a side of feathers— my brothers tied flies at the kitchen table, so fluff and cornflakes were a regular combo. Looking back, I should’ve known I’d end up marrying a fly fisher.

Years later, after traveling halfway around the world, I met Chad. These days, we spend our spare time on a drift boat with our chocolate lab, chasing trout and quiet moments.

Chad’s been hooked since before he could hold a rod. His dad fished. His uncle fished. And Chad spent school holidays on the remote Abrolhos Islands off Australia’s west coast—casting by day, falling asleep to whale song by night.

He’s fished across the globe: New Zealand, Iceland, Scotland/Europe, the Pacific, South America, the U.S.—you name it. Over the last 20+ years, his obsession with fly fishing, tying, and drift boating deepened and he became a Montana-made Orvis Guide in 2017.

We like life slow. River-paced. The kind that lets you notice the heron on the bank, the magic of a mayfly hatch, the way light dances on water. Sometimes we even catch fish.

We started Riparian Bliss because waders don’t meet every dress code —and because we wanted to share our love of rivers, fly fishing, and terrible puns with folks who get it.

If that’s you, follow us on Instagram @RiparianBlissUSA and check out our online store https://www.etsy.com/shop/RiparianBlissUSA or scan the QR code below. Let’s drift together.

We believe that the joy of fly fishing shouldn’t end when you leave the water. The quiet thrill of casting into a glassy river, the camaraderie of fellow anglers, the stories that unfold on the drift boat—these moments define more than a hobby; they shape a way of life. We exist to keep that feeling alive, long after you’ve reeled in your last catch of the day.

We weave the essence of fly fishing into every item we design. Using insider jokes, familiar language, and references only a seasoned angler would recognize, we create gifts that connect, resonate, and spark a knowing smile.

From T-shirts to mugs, and other thoughtfully designed gifts, every item at Riparian Bliss carries the spirit of the river. Whether you’re buying for yourself or gifting a fellow fly fishers, our products bring a sense of belonging to a community that understands the magic of being on the water.

 

Riparian Bliss

**rip·ar·i·an bliss** /rɪˈpɛər·i·ən blɪs/ *n.*

1. A state of profound contentment, joy, or serenity experienced while in or near the banks of a river, stream, or other natural waterway.

2. The specific pleasure derived from activities conducted in riparian zones, such as fishing, swimming, picnicking, or merely contemplating the flowing water.

3. The unique tranquility found in the ecological transition areas between land and water bodies, characterized by the soothing sounds of flowing water, rich biodiversity, and cooling shade.

*Origin*: From Latin "riparius" (of a riverbank) + Old English "bliss" (joy, happiness)

*Usage*: "After months in the city, their weekend of riparian bliss beside the mountain stream restored their spirits completely."

BWOs are one of my favorite hatches. They hatch in good numbers, get fish rising, and require you bring your A-game for success. Here are a few tips to help you target the BWO hatch this Fall.

THE RIGHT WATER

BWOs don’t hatch everywhere on the river. They are “swimmer” mayflys and like slow to moderate speed runs-- Bonus points if it has some rooted aquatic vegetation. My favorite water is where riffles turn into runs/pools, like this spot on the SF Boise River.

HATCH WINDOW

The BWO hatch window typically is from 11am – 4pm. Hatches are water temperature and weather dependent: BWOs like to hatch on dark days. Overcast is good. Lite precip is even better. On sunny days you can still find them hatching some in the canyon shade. Like most bugs, BWOs have a preferred water temperature for hatching. In the Fall, they will start hatching when the water drops into the low 50s and continue hatching down into the low 40s. The SF Boise and Owyhee rivers both have BWO hatches later into the fall than the local freestone rivers because of warmer water from the tailwater dams.  Because of this, the hatch on the SF Boise goes well into December.

FISH THE FULL BUG LIFE-CYCLE

BWO hatches often occur in “waves”, and trout are most receptive to a fly during an “active hatch wave”.  In between hatch waves, take advantage of the time to adjust your position so you are ready to cast to a specific rise location. Part of the fun of a BWO hatch is figuring out what stage of the insect each fish is eating. BWO emergences  can be intermixed with spinner falls, and sometimes have 2 different sizes hatching-- making it difficult to identify what size or stage of the insect fish are keyed into. In general, I find that trout key in on emergers at the head of the run; on adult duns mid-run; and cripples or spinners in the tailout or eddies. BWOs spinnerfalls are often along the bank, so if you see a trout rising tight to the bank, serve him a spinner!

BWO FISHING TIPS

1. Come prepared to Match The Hatch – bring the full life-cycle of imitations. I like to fish a dun pattern with an emerger or spinner dropper.
2. Remember that not all trout are rising to the same life-cycle phase. Be prepared to switch flies when you target different fish (see the diagram above).
3. Bring your A-Game presentation. Avoid blind-casting. Station yourself to get the best drag-free drift and target specific fish.
4. Plan to fish a nymph 1-2 hours ahead of the hatch. Fish will move up to the head of the run to eat the nymphs.
5. On windy days, try a “knock-down” style pattern.
6. Take a minute to catch a bug sample and check the size and adjust your fly to match. Size matters on this hatch!

FLIES:

There are many good patterns out there--I think Dry Fly Innovations has some of the best. I particularly like their Colored Emerger and their Convertible pattern that you can make into a knock-down dun on the river. For nymphs you can't beat a Thread Frenchie or WD40. Check out Scott Blackhurst’s fly tying article for some more good patterns.

Earlier this year, both Idaho Fish and Game (IDF&G) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) predicted poor steelhead returns in 2025. The good news is that this year's steelhead A-run is the largest in the last 10 years! The bad news is that if you compared it to the previous 10 years, this year would be the worst. A telling example of how much our steelhead returns have changed.  Here is an article by Idaho Fish and Game about the early A-Run. Joe DuPont, from Lewiston IDF&G usually sends an in depth steelhead update around now, but it wasn't available when this article was written. Here is a link to his 2024 Fall update from last year. Keep a watch out on Idaho Fish and Game's website for this year's update.

One good thing about dams is they provide points to count fish passage, which is very helpful to track the size and progress of the steelhead run (once steelhead make it over Lower Granite, the last dam on the lower Snake River--below Lewiston--there are no in-river counting stations). It is worth learning to use the DART Adult Fish Passage webpage, which is where many of the graphs in this article were created. Here is a graph that shows steelhead over Bonneville Dam, the first dam on the Columbia River. It compares our current 2025 run (as of 8/23) to last year and the two decades before it.  A few things to note:

• The 2024 run was better than the last 10 year average--especially the B run. :-D
  
  
• The 2025 A-Run is even better than 2024! :-)
  
  
• Look at how much the 10 year average has dropped. :-( 

But let's focus on the good news--there are lots of steelhead to go chase this Fall! Now for a little on the when, where, and how. In this article I’m going to give some background on the steelhead’s lifecycle, walk you through the migration of the A run to give you some good ideas about where to fish when, and then talk some about fly choice and presentation. The B run fish haven’t entered the Columbia in big numbers yet so it’s too early to know how that run will be, but these concepts all apply to B run fish as well.  Again, keep an eye out for Joe DuPont's steelhead updates as they contain a wealth of information. Here is his B Run update from last year for reference.

STEELHEAD LIFECYCLE

Steelhead are anadromous: born in freshwater, migrate to sea as smolts, feed and grow (LARGE!), then return to spawn—and unlike salmon that die after spawning, steelhead can survive to return again the next year (keep this factoid in mind when you read the section on choosing a fly). Wild steelhead typically spend 2–3 years in freshwater before smolting and the annual wild smolt output varies with spawner abundance and freshwater conditions, compared to hatchery programs which rear fish to smolt size on a set schedule and release fairly consistent numbers each spring.

Steelhead have many life histories and spend different amounts of time in the ocean and migrate at different times. A-run steelhead typically spend 1 year in the ocean and enter the Columbia river first, typically starting in early June and going through the end of August. The B-run typically spends 2 years in the ocean and enters the Columbia river after the A-run, with some overlap, generally from mid-August to the end of October. While most of the steelhead runs each stay in ocean the same amount of time, there is a subset of each run that stays in the ocean an extra year, which makes for an even bigger fish! Last year, 2 ocean fish were an unusually large part of the A-run. This year early PIT tag data looks like a good third or more of the A-run is 2 ocean fish, so we will again have some bigger than normal steelhead.  Here is a good article from IDF&G that talks more about the A vs B run steelhead.

TIMING THE RUN

To catch a steelhead you have to find where they are, which changes as the season progresses and steelhead migrate upstream to their natal areas to spawn. The river is their highway, and their journey up the Columbia river starts in June-August and they will spawn in May: That's nearly a year in fresh water! And for those steelhead that spawn upstream of Stanley, their migration will take them over 900 miles! 

On their journey, steelhead swim around 4 dams on the Columbia river and 4 dams on the lower Snake river before they make it to a free flowing river at Lewiston.  Travel up the Columbia goes pretty quickly as the historic big rapids are essentially gone—drowned by reservoirs.  

Thermal Blocks

Two things will slow down or stop their migration. 1) A thermal block of water that is warmer than 72°F or colder than 40°F;  and 2) Flows that are too low to safely move upstream.  In July and August, high water temperatures are a real problem and keep fish from migrating up the Columbia and Snake river in large numbers.  The slow backwaters behind all of those dams has extra time to warm up vs how a free-flowing river would behave.  Thank goodness for Dworshak reservoir on the Clearwater river, which pumps out 10,000 CFS of COLD WATER during this time of year which (barely) keeps the Lower Snake and Columbia inhabitable for steelhead and salmon.  Here is a graph of fish passage and water temperature at the John Day Dam (taken from a different year) that shows how fish passage stops when water gets too warm and how it resumes when the water temperatures drop.

The A-run is primarily headed up the Snake and Salmon rivers. Here is a map that shows where A-run steelhead are headed on the Snake and Salmon rivers (in Idaho).  Once steelhead enter the free-flowing Main Snake river above Lewiston, the difficulty of travel increases significantly. River gradients get steeper and the rapids get harder for them to negotiate, which slows their progress.  And as water temperatures drop, so does their metabolism which reduces their migration speed.  While migrating, Steelhead try to take the easiest path up a river and like to travel up secondary seams of the river, often close to the bank. Sometimes you will see them rolling / porpoising along the surface, almost like they are visually using the bank as their guide.  Studies have shown that steelhead will travel at night, but tend to hold up below navigational hazards, like a rapid, and resume moving when there is enough light for them to safely negotiate the hazard (remember this factoid, as it will come up later).

While traveling the highway they pause to rest.  In July and August, water temperatures on much of the Columbia river are near the upper thermal limits for steelhead and can stall their upstream migration. Steelhead often seek thermal refuge at the mouths of cooler tributaries and frequently swim up a few miles into those tributaries to cool off (yet another factoid to remember.)

Other classic resting areas are: Below side tributaries; Below rapids (big and small) or even river-wide shallow gravel bars; Tailouts above those rapids; Large boulder fields and ledge-rock.  Years ago a friend and I strapped a GoPro to some bait-divers and backed the camera down some runs on the Clearwater river. We rarely saw fish in the main parts of the run (where you would typically swing a fly) but when the camera went over a short section of ledge rock we would always see steelhead holding there!  The lesson: STRUCTURE = HOLDING FISH. NO STRUCTURE = TRANSIENT FISH THAT ARE ON THE MOVE.

1) Migration: June - September

During this time the A-run steelhead travel 325 miles up the Columbia, then 140 miles up the lower Snake river to Lewiston. They start arriving in good numbers at Lewiston by the end of August. Once steelhead make it to Lewiston, their migration gets stalled by the warmer (over 72°F) water temperatures of the Snake river coming through Hells Canyon. During this time, many steelhead move up into cooler water of the lower Clearwater river, which typically is running in the mid 50°s--thanks to the cold water coming out of Dworshak reservoir at Orofino. These few weeks while steelhead are holding over in the lower Clearwater can provide a good opportunity to go fishing. 

2) Migration: September - November

In early September the Snake river cools enough for steelhead to resume their migration upstream, and it is GAME ON for the Snake!  Once steelhead start up the Snake, they have many possible destinations up different tributaries.  In this article I am talking about their journey to the furthest destination in the upper Salmon river, but many will take a different path and go up tributaries like the Grande Ronde, Imnaha, Little Salmon, the South Fork or Middle Fork of the Salmon rivers.  

It is about 50 miles to get to the Salmon river, or 110 miles to get to Hells Canyon Dam. Historically steelhead swam up the Snake river much further including up the Boise river, but sadly, the Hells Canyon dam does not have a fish ladder.  Once in the Salmon river, steelhead have another 85 miles to get to Riggins, and they typically show up in force there in early to mid-October. From Riggins they have another 150 miles to get to the upper Salmon river below North Fork Idaho where most of them will pause their migration until Spring as the main Salmon river above North Fork (after the middle fork and north fork flows are gone) is too shallow in the Fall for them to feel comfortable moving any further. This causes steelhead to accumulate in the 40 miles between the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Salmon river, which can make for good fishing until the water temps drop.

3) Migration: December - April

Over the winter, steelhead will hold in the deeper slower water section of the Salmon river below North Fork called "Deadwater". After ice-out in late winter, steelhead will resume their journey to their spawning grounds. From the North Fork it is 86 miles to Challis and another 55 miles to Stanley. Depending on the ice out date, steelhead typically make it to Stanley the last week of March.

One closing note on this migration example. As steelhead find the tributary of their natal water, if flows are low then they will often hold in the main-stem river above or below it and wait for increased flows in the spring to make their last mad-dash to their spawning grounds.

WATER FLOWS AND TEMPERATURE

Two things that can make or break your steelhead trip are water flows and water temperatures. I have had seasons when the run was below average but we have good migration conditions that made for excellent fishing. And there have been times when there were excellent runs but we had poor migration conditions and fishing wasn't very good.

Steelhead are cold blooded, and just like trout their behavior will change as water temperatures rise and fall.  Steelhead are on a journey to their home waters and will continue moving until water temperatures drop below 40 degrees or they run into low water conditions.  Steelhead are also influenced by increases in water flows after a rainstorm (which we call a Freshette).  Freshettes cause steelhead's metabolism to rev-up and makes them want to move upstream and increases their interest in your fly! Conversely, extended periods of low flows causes their metabolism to drop, they tend to hold and can become "stale" and less interested in your fly.

One of the things to watch out for is the "dreaded drop" of water temperatures in late Fall--usually November--where we get a cold snap and water temperatures drop sharply below 40 degrees. This signals to steelhead it is time to prepare to over-winter, and they move to deeper, slower runs for the winter. It takes them a couple of weeks to acclimate to the colder water temperatures after which they are again more receptive to your fly.  During this time of year, an increase of a degree or two of water temperature can increase the fish's metabolism enough to get them to take your fly. Thus, it can pay to fish later in the the day when water is the warmest.

For example, last year was the best B run in many years, but we had a dry October and the Clearwater ran low for much of the Fall and steelhead didn't move upstream very well. The BVFF Clearwater outing was 40 miles up the Clearwater by Orofino, and we had very slow fishing. The day after the outing, Brian Martin and Dave Asker went out with a guide who wisely took them to fish the river closer to Lewiston and Dave hooked into a BIG B RUN fish. Given the conditions (a low water Fall with no freshettes), I think we all would have been better off taking the time to drive downstream to find fish.

Later that season I was fishing on the upper Clearwater around Kamiah. Fishing was decent, but then we had a cold snap and fishing turned OFF.  Jeff Jones and I decided to go downstream and fish below Orofino, as the water temperatures were warmer there (because of the influence of Dworashak outflow). And it paid off with this nice fish! Here is a graph that shows the "Dreaded Drop" last fall, and how water temperatures are warmer below Orofino/Dworshak.

CHOOSING AND PRESENTING YOUR FLY

There is much debate about why steelhead take a fly. A few years ago, steelhead guide Tom Larimer wrote the excellent article Why Steelhead Eat Flies in Fly Fisherman Magazine, which is worth reading. In it, Tom talks about the “Chase Response”, the “Curiosity Response” and the “Food and Nourishment Response”.  Here are some of my thoughts on Why Steelhead Eat Flies and some important lessons I've learned about presentation.

1) The Food / Nourishment Response

I think the food/nourishment response is under-rated, as most anglers believe steelhead have stopped eating. As I mentioned earlier, Steelhead have a different lifecycle than salmon that allow them to return to the ocean after spawning vs dying like salmon. This makes them genetically programmed to eat along their long journey (this is more true of our Summer Steelhead, which spend a long time in fresh water vs the Winter Steelhead who have relatively short journeys up coastal rivers and enter the river "ready to spawn").  For fly fishermen, the food/nourishment response is something we can use to our advantage by using food-like flies. Especially if we target water where food items are available for steelhead to eat, such as below riffle heads and side streams.

One early experience that got me thinking about "food flies" for steelhead is fishing the Clearwater during the summer while I was going to school at UofI for my Masters in the mid 90s (which is when I really got bitten by the steelhead bug).  I was out trout fishing with a friend, tumbling and swinging a woolly worm through riffles.  We were catching good numbers of trout and then WHAM! I had a big grab that broke me off.  I tied on heavier tippet and a fresh woolly worm and soon had a hot bright steelhead on!

I know many steelhead anglers who have a favorite fly and fish it all day long, all season long. This is an efficient strategy as it minimizes down-time, but I feel it is short sited. In order take the fly, the fish must see it. Underwater visibility varies throughout the day, and seasonally with rainstorm events. Purple works well in low light and is a great first and last light color to use, but it might not be the best color when the sun gets overhead or the water is off-colored. Trout guide and streamer expert Kelly Galloup has a great streamer searching strategy that varies colors to find what fish are going to react to. If he gets no action in 15 minutes, he changes flies. From bright to dull, flashy to natural, etc. While I think switching flies for steelhead every 15 minutes may not be appropriate, I do think that switching it up is worthwhile. As a reinforcing example, early in my steelhead fishing years,  I spent a lot of time pulling plugs. We would run 4 plugs out of the driftboat, each a different color. When one color got bit, we would change out other plugs to that color and then BAM! The other plugs start getting some action.  I had the same experience tossing spinners--matching the color to the light and water conditions was key to consistently hooking up. 

A few food items to keep in mind as you choose your fly.

• Minnows and small baitfish are common in riffles--a good case for a muddler minnow or a Green Butt Skunk. 
  
  
• If your river has stoneflies of any kind, FISH THEM! Dead drift or swing a Prince Nymph. Some rivers get a short-wing "mutant stone" that is primarily nocturnal Watch for their shucks on the cobble by riffles, and if you see them consider tying on a tan foam skater at last light.
  
  
• October caddis are common on many steelhead streams and make a good skater--especially at last light. 
  
  
• If you happened to be fishing water that has spawning chinook salmon, on years when there are a lot of Chinook, steelhead can get keyed into Chinook eggs. It pays to fish an egg sucking leech during this time!  
  
  
• Several times in the spring I have had steelhead key in on a March Brown hatch.  Be prepared with some olive-brown soft hackle flies.
  

2) Curiosity and Chase Response

In addition to the food/nourishment response, try to use the steelhead’s curiosity and chase instincts to your advantage. I feel like the Steelhead's curiosity response to attractor-style flies is similar to a cutthroat trout, which are notorious for liking colorful flies.  The cutthroat's "wide search engine" for food stems from living in waters that often do not have prolific bug hatches, so they learn to investigate anything that looks like food.  I think steelhead are similar because they are constantly swimming upstream into new watersheds with different conditions and have to be adaptable in what they eat.

I have talked to several steelhead guides who describe watching steelhead follow their client’s fly, almost like the fish are in a trance. If the client mends their line during this time and the fly pauses, then the steelhead stops following it. Steelhead guide Dennis Dickson described presenting your fly like pulling yarn across the carpet in front of a kitten, who would watch the yarn intently, but quickly lose interest if you stopped moving it. Dec Hogan described watching the reaction of steelhead in a holding pen as he flipped pennies into the tank. He said the first penny got a number of steelhead to come investigate. The second penny only a couple of fish came to look, and by the third penny, no steelhead reacted. These are a great examples to think about as you present your fly. You want the fish to see your fly and be curious.

I have been guided by Tom Larimer and he emphasized for me to think about 1) Where the fish might be (along a traveling seam, in front of a boulder, etc); 2) Where my fly was going to land; and 3) Work on activating my fly (bring it to life with motion) where the fish would see it. This is similar to the Leisenring Lift presentation where you let the current activate the fly and let it rise and escape from the trout, which triggers their chase instinct. Tom taught me to focus on actively presenting my fly to the fishy-zones vs just blindly bombing out long casts and letting them swing all the way across. I’ve used this strategy quite successfully at times working a traveling seam or by splatting down a big fly near boulders at the head of the run and then swinging the fly away. The SPLAT gets the steelhead’s attention (like a small fish that rose to the surface) and the fleeing motion triggers their chase response.

One other presentation aspect that Tom taught me is to think about where the sun is and to not present your fly such that the steelhead have to look into the sun to see or follow it. Look for runs to fish where you have some shade, or the sun is to the side or behind the fish. That will help them see and track the fly. Another good option when the sun is bright overhead is to fish choppy water that breaks the sun's intensity, or strap on a sink tip and fish deeper water.

3) Late Season

After ice out and steelhead resume their migration upstream, their behavior changes to be focused on finding a mate, fending off rival steelhead and procreating. At this time they are less likely to forage for food and more likely to react to an intruder invading their space. Swinging a larger profile bright pink fly in front of a ruddy buck can result in a smashing grab! Although they aren't actively feeding as they approach spawning time, they still will respond to an egg pattern drifted into their lie, as steelhead and salmon have a natural instinct to pick up that egg and remove it from their nesting area. And while they have the egg in their mouth… SET THE HOOK!!!

4) Look For Rest Stops

Steelhead are much less likely to take a fly when they are on the move. While they’re traveling they prioritize miles, not mouthfuls. I like to think about it like standing on the interstate, waving a free twinkie at a truck driver who is zooming by. They love twinkies, but they're not going to stop the truck for one. On the other hand, if you try to hand out free twinkies at a rest-stop you will have much better luck! Steelhead are the same way. Present your fly at a rest-stop where the fish has paused, and you're more likely to find a willing fish. Key spots to focus on are at riffle heads and tailouts—especially above and below a bit of a rapid at first or last light (I particularly like fishing the "armpit" inside seam, right below the riffle); Boulders and ledge-rock; and my favorite--below a side tributary. Side tributaries are a magic spot because they bring in cool, fresh water that steelhead want to stop and smell to determine if it's their natal water (there are numerous studies that document this behavior). And the water below tributaries tends to have a lot of natural food items, perfect for imitating with your fly!

5) First / Last Light

Time of day matters for a steelhead fly fisherman. While a gear fisherman can work a team of diving plugs along a traveling seam and get an aggressive response from the steelhead in the middle of the day, it is easy for them to ignore our fly. Traveling steelhead will accumulate through the night below a rapid and wait for morning to navigate it. Fishing these spots at first (and last) light means you have a better chance to present your fly to a resting fish-- And a resting fish is a much more willing target than a traveling fish. Once they are on the move you have to play the game of finding them and hoping they are resting and not moving.

This point has been driven home by my experiences fishing on the Grande Ronde in the fall, where setting up camp below a rapid has paid major dividends. Fishing is great at first light as the steelhead that have stacked up and rested below are ready for a quick breakfast before they resume their upstream journey.  It has also been a very observable phenomenon in the Spring on the upper Salmon River by Stanley and the upper South Fork of the Clearwater river, as you spend a lot of time walking the banks and spotting steelhead to fish to.  Early in the morning you can sit on a high bank above a rapid and watch the "targets" appear in the tail-out below.

GET OUT THERE!

I hope this article has motivated you to get out and chase some Steelhead this Fall. Consider joining BVFF’s Steelhead Outing on the Clearwater river, October 15-19.

When you go to tie on your fly, think about the water you are fishing, and Why a steelhead might take it.  Do more than just "Huck and Hope"! Remember to target resting water; Cast deliberately and fish your fly. And make sure to check out Scott Blackhurst’s article on tying the Green Butt Skunk. It’s a confidence fly for myself and many other anglers. Tie some up and get out there! Remember to keep your hooks sharp, and keep your fish wet.

RESOURCES

Here are some good resources to help you prepare for going fishing.

• Joe Dupont from the Lewiston Idaho Fish and Game office steelhead updates are excellent and insightful. His 2025 Fall Steelhead update was released on September 2nd. 
  
  
• The DART Adult Fish Passage website is a great place to check on the steelhead and salmon run status. 
  
  
• IDF&G has a nice summary graph of steelhead counts.
  
  
• Idaho Fish and Game's steelhead harvest report. and hatchery return page .
  
  
• IDF&G's Salmon river region has some great information about steelhead fishing on the upper Salmon river. Their Steelhead Pocket Guide is one of the best resources I have ever seen on the subject. . It is also worth following them on Facebook as they are good about posting updates 
  
  
• It helps to check water flows and temperatures before you go. BVFF has a good "Steelhead Waters" page that shows you current and forecast flows. Paying attention to river flows is one key to successful steelheading. Here is something I wrote about Hydrographs for Steelhead in a Hackle Bender many years ago. 

Some books that will elevate your steelhead fishing game. Yes, some of them are focused at gear fishing. Ignore that aspect--they have key insights into steelhead fishing.

1. Dec Hogan's "A Passion For Steelhead". Read it cover to cover, then read it again!
   
   

2. John Larison's book, "The Complete Steelheader", will up your game! Some of the best information on advanced presentations you will find. 

3. Lani Waller's "A Steelheader's Way". This is where it all started. Read it--it will take you back in time.
   

4. Boise's own (and friend of BVFF) Rick Williams' book "Managed Extinction" is a MUST READ to understand what has happened to Steelhead and Salmon in the Pacific Northwest. It's jaw-dropping and heart-breaking at times, but a rare look into the system that is failing our fish.  Here is a short review of that book.

5. Bill Herzog's "Color Guide to Steelhead Drift Fishing". This book has one of the best descriptions of how steelhead behave in different water temperatures than anything else I've ever read.
   
   
6. Dan Magers' book "Striking Steelhead". This is a plugging book, but written about fishing the Clearwater river. There are some key lessons and a few secrets in here worth your time.

The Deadly Pause

By Ted Eisele

Think back: How many times have you paused while retrieving your nymph or streamer and then immediately had a fish hit? Or, had a hit the moment you resumed the retrieve?

It’s a technique that’s worth including in your fly retrieval repertoire. It’s what I call “the deadly pause,” and it pays off in both lakes and streams.”

(Reprinted with permission from Salmon Trout Steelheader magazine.)

Read the full article by opening the following attachment:

The Deadly Pause STS articlePDF.pdf

Dave’s Strategy Session

by Dave Shuldes, shuldesd@gmail.com

The Arctic Grayling Challenge

One of many challenges that Boise Valley Fly Fishers offers to our members each year is the Idaho Arctic Grayling club. Details are listed at this link: Idaho Arctic Grayling Challenge.

There are currently 9 BVFF Grayling Club members, including Mike Mclean, Tom Old, Tim Old and George Butts from 2019-2023. At our BVFF club meeting in March, Jim Kazakoff recognized the new 2024 additions including Patti Bantam, Jill Bradley, Greg Hitchcock, Johnny Rogers and Lisa Szentes. Congratulations to all!

In short, the challenge is to catch, photograph and release an Arctic Grayling in Idaho. These beautiful fish with their neon blue sail fins are planted by the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) in Alpine lakes throughout the state. Stocking locations and schedule can be found here:

1. Where have Arctic Grayling been stocked by IDF&G LINK
2. Where have Arctic Grayling been observed in SW Idaho LINK

A tip for our statewide members; the search linked above was set for SW Idaho. You will note that you can check off all the regions of the state you are interested in to expand the results for your area of interest.

During our planning for our annual backpacking trips, my hiking partners and I often research the stocking schedule for our destinations so we know what to expect. The Frank Church Wilderness, McCall area and Sawtooth Mountains are all good targets. These lakes are usually quite remote, so we often schedule an initial day to pack in and establish a base camp, then day hike to the lakes, which may contain Grayling and other uncommon species, such as Golden Trout and or Tiger Trout. Once established these species can over winter for years in the same high elevation lakes. Many of these lakes are unnamed and can only be referenced by their altitude.

Finding the location of Grayling is the key. Once you’ve found your target, the fishing strategy is similar to alpine lakes cutthroat and rainbows. I use a four or five weight rod, floating or sink tip line, a 9 foot leader and 4X or 5X tippet. My favorite fly patterns are a Gartside Sparrow pattern customized with black Krystal Flash in the tail and pointing toward the hook tip from the eye, or a customized Prince Nymph with olive brown goose biots. Hook size is #10, 2X long. I start with a 3 or 4mm tungsten bead head in bronze or olive, and finish with a subtle collar of red thread just behind the bead.

In the right conditions (generally low to no wind) Arctic Grayling will also feed readily on surface flies. A #14 or #16 Elk Hair Caddis, Renegade, or Flying Ant pattern will usually do the trick. When casting, I generally seek out deeper water. Underneath deep ledges and pockets behind boulders are common hangouts.

These Grayling, living in pristine water conditions, will live for many years if treated well. Use of barbless hooks and photographing the fish while they remain in the water are strongly recommended. Catching these relatively rare, colorful species in our Alpine lakes are one of the many delights of fishing in Idaho. There are relatively few places throughout the US and around the world where the right combination of wilderness preservation and wildlife management provide us with these fishing opportunities. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful state!

Always bring the 10 essentials, travel with a partner, and be prepared for extreme changes in weather at these altitudes which often exceed 8,000 feet in elevation. Tight lines & good luck with the Grayling challenge!

Idaho Arctic Grayling Challenge

Fun and Games!
by Michael Elsden, Fly Casting Program Lead

March 22nd saw our first ‘Casting Social’ and I’m happy to report that it was very well received by hardy club members who bravely turned out on a windy afternoon. The purpose behind this first event was to have some fun with casting games, get to know each other better, and discuss upcoming casting related activities.

So what precisely is the point of Casting Games? At its most basic, it’s a way of practicing fundamentals with an added element of challenge and fun. Joan Wulff talks about ‘Picking Leaves’ where you select a leaf on a tree and cast until you hit it. Challenging and fun to do, but has the underlying purpose of developing loop control, accuracy, and hand/eye coordination. My own version of ‘tree oriented’ practice requires you to walk through a wooded area while keeping a fly in the air, sometimes casting sideways, always being aware of what’s in front and behind. For added fun, hold your favorite beverage in your line hand while walking/casting and if you make it through the trees without tangling or spilling, you can take a drink and start over.

                                                        

The ‘Roll, Baby Roll’ game (pictured above) is one I learned from Australian master casting instructor, Peter Hayes. Fiendishly fun, the purpose is to throw tight roll cast loops that will gradually wrap around the planted pool noodle. As the noodle gets more and more wraps, you get close to the target which is where you reverse and start unwrapping (and backing up). This develops tight and focused roll cast loops on both left and right sides.

These are all examples of ‘task based learning’. There’s a challenge, or task, that requires building and honing particular skills in order to complete the game. Fun! One idea we are working on is Fly Casting Golf where we select a Frisbee Golf course and instead of flinging a plastic disc, we cast at each target. Sometimes it will be a distance cast, other times roll casting because you are up against a tree, or maybe curve casting around an obstacle…

How about creating your own fly casting games? We’d love to hear your ideas, bring them along to the next Casting Social.

The BVFF website is filled with information about our Education, Conservation, and Access missions as well as our annual fishing Outings. Other information that you might find helpful includes contact information (email and telephone) for other members. You might wish to contact a BOD member or Officer, or someone you met at our member meeting to connect and have coffee or go fishing.

To learn how to access this information, follow this presentation:

BVFF Membership Hackle Bender Website Wonderings Member Contact Info.pptx

Only active BVFF members can access the contact information. Please be respectful of the privacy of our members and do not share this with anyone outside of BVFF.