With its gin-clear water and protected population of native westslope cutthroat trout, few Idaho fly fishing rivers are as legendary as the Salmon River’s Middle Fork. Along with Redfish Lake, it’s among the top fly fishing destinations near Stanley, Idaho.
One of the original eight National Wild & Scenic Rivers designated in 1968, the Middle Fork of the Salmon remains undammed throughout its entire 104-mile course. It also flows through federally designated wilderness. The rocky banks and sheer granite walls that bound the river are virtually untouched by the hands of man.
Unlike many rivers, the Middle Fork of the Salmon River has a fairly consistent gradient, with an abundance of long pools and swift runs. For anyone accustomed to fishing streams with typical pools and drops, it’s a very different experience, with trout often holding in the current rather than outside of it.
Trout Species on the Middle Fork
Westslope cutthroat trout are the most widely caught species on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. This is a Blue Ribbon cutthroat river, with abundant “cutties” measuring 12 to 15 inches as well as some much bigger fish. Rainbow trout are also available. They’re bigger than cutthroats on average but much less abundant.
The Middle Fork also harbors Idaho’s prized bull trout, which are a threatened species and should be handled with extreme caution if caught. Some of the biggest trout in the river are bulls.
Steelhead smolts are stocked in the river as well, and adult steelhead return to the river every year during the colder months. You may even encounter—on very rare occasions—the river’s namesake. Chinook salmon make the journey all the way from the Pacific Ocean to reach the Salmon River, and a small population spawns in the Middle Fork.
Regardless of what species you catch, be aware that the entirety of the Middle Fork of the Salmon is strictly catch and release. Bait is not permitted, and only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.
Timing & Hatches
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River fishes best in summer and early fall. High water makes springtime fishing challenging until June, but July is a favorite month thanks to its improved water conditions and abundant insect hatches. There is also great fishing in late summer into early fall when trout feed aggressively in response to cooling water.
Stoneflies account for some of the most significant hatches on the Middle Fork, with Salmonflies, Golden Stoneflies and Yellow Sally Stoneflies making appearances from May through July. Caddis hatches too can be extremely prolific, and these insects may appear in thick clouds during the evening hours any time from June to October.
Fly Selection
There are two often-repeated pearls of wisdom regarding fly selection on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. First, it’s a dry fly fisher’s paradise. Second, the native cutthroat trout here aren’t picky, so it doesn’t much matter what fly you tie on, just so long as you land it in the right spot.
Both are true up to a point. Cutthroats tend to look to the surface more reliably than other trout species, so dry flies really do work here more often than not. But while dries account for the greatest numbers, the biggest trout are usually caught using streamers. Monster bull trout in particular are less apt to nip a dry fly from the surface.
Regarding fly patterns, matching the hatch with scientific precision isn’t usually necessary, but it’s a good idea to ballpark it. Take a look around and see if you can spot any insects above the surface or in the shoreline bushes. Golden Stoneflies hatching? Try something yellow and fuzzy.
When in doubt, big chunky dry flies in bold patterns tend to fare well here. Purple Stimulators, Chubby Chernobyls, Fat Alberts, Royal Wulffs and Purple Haze are all reliable options.
Terrestrials are a big part of the trout diet, so be sure to have some hoppers and ants in your arsenal as well. A Dave’s Hopper of Foam Ant will tempt plenty of strikes, especially in summer. Have a streamer or two ready for bigger fish, like a Muddler Minnow, Sculpin or Baby Fat Minnow.
Gearing Up
An 8-9 foot 4- or 5-weight fly rod is ideal for fishing the Middle Fork of the Salmon, though some anglers prefer a rod as light as a 3-weight or as heavy as a 7-weight. Lighter and shorter rods are favored on the upper part of the Middle Fork, where the river is more like a large creek, whereas slightly heavier and shorter rods get the call as the river widens downstream.
A light outfit is also good to have if you plan on hiking up any of the Middle Fork’s tributaries. Smaller waters like Loon Creek, Camas Creek and Big Creek are excellent trout streams in their own right. Spool your reel with a double-taper or weight-forward floating fly line of a corresponding weight.
Middle Fork Salmon River Access
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River flows through the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness. It’s a wilderness in the truest sense, with limited development and almost no amenities.
The only vehicular access to the Middle Fork is at Boundary Creek, which is accessed via Forest Service Road #568 from Bruce Meadows. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Stanley or 2.5 hours from Challis. The Boundary Creek site includes launch facilities and a campground. It’s the primary launch site for float trips on the river, and it gets heavy usage during peak fishing months.
Anglers can access areas farther downriver, but doing so requires planning. A handful of airstrips along the river at sites including Pistol Creek Ranch and Cougar Ranch provide access by plane and are utilized by fishing guides. Other than reaching the Middle Fork by water using one of its tributaries, the only other option is on foot; the Idaho Centennial Trail parallels several miles of the river above and below Boundary Creek.
Numerous campsites are scattered along the length of the Middle Fork, most of which are managed by the Forest Service or the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. They are inaccessible by road but serve as stopovers for float trips on their way down the river.