Salmon Anglers Enjoy Season

The backlit glow of the early morning sun shadows the cliff faces along the Salmon River. The air is crisp and cool, a relief from yesterday afternoon's heat. Quietly, a boat drifts silently into view. It is followed by another and then a third. The fishermen are quiet; the only sound the tumbling of water and the occasional muffled thump of oar on boat. Fishing line arcs out over the water. On it is tied not only a lure, but the hope of catching a chinook salmon during the first salmon season in 27 years on the upper reaches of the big fishes' namesake river. "This is just great!" exclaims an angler from Challis. "I got one hooked only it broke off. But we got a lot of nibbles and got to see a bunch of fish" she adds smiling. "Now, it's too hot, but you bet we'll be back tomorrow!" Another truck, bristling with fishing rods pulls to a halt at the check station. They are in the "no fish" line and smile ruefully when asked about their day's catch. "Nothing today, but we're gettin' to fish for salmon and that's something special" says the passenger. His companion nods in agreement. In 1978, fishing for chinook salmon in the upper Salmon River ended. Numbers of returning salmon had declined precipitously prior to this time and in an effort to help save the species, fishing was closed and the chinook salmon was declared a protected species. Anglers were stunned. It seemed impossible that the big fish that used to fill the rivers and streams could have been reduced to numbers small enough to close the season. Many protested the closure, some even staging a "fish-in" along the Salmon River, dangling unrigged fishing line into the river. Now, 27 years later anglers once again are plying the river in drift boats or standing along the riverbank hoping to tempt a big fish. The salmon are still not returning in numbers large enough to declare the population stable. But hatchery supplementation has resulted in enough fish returning to both the Pahsimeroi and Sawtooth Hatcheries to allow for a modest season on hatchery-origin chinook. "I think it's great!" said Pahsimeroi Hatchery Manager Todd Garlie. "In past years, the excess fish were donated to charity, but it's also good to see anglers have the chance to catch some of these fish." These thoughts are echoed by Tom Curet, Regional Fisheries Manager who has been working for several years to get a NOAA Fisheries permit for a season on surplus hatchery chinook. "The whole point of having this season is to give anglers an opportunity to catch these fish. People are passionate about salmon. This season symbolizes a return of part of our community's heritage. It's pretty remarkable" said Curet. Perhaps the greatest measure of the success of this season is the reaction of anglers. Rick Miller of Salmon landed the first salmon caught from these waters in 27 years. Arriving 45 minutes before the season officially opened, Miller found his spot on the bank and patiently waited for the half-hour before sunrise opening. Five minutes and three casts later, Miller had landed his 34-inch, 16 pound salmon. "I was shocked" he said of his catch. "It was great, but I was just lucky enough to be at the right spot at the right time because there were a bunch of other really good fishermen up there." Salmon fishing is not new to Miller who fished the Lemhi River years ago and has also fished the Lochsa. Of the return of salmon fishing to the region, he commented "It took a long time coming, but I'm glad we've got it." Salmon resident, Mike Nelson was also pleased with the return of salmon fishing to the region. He fished for an hour on opening day before catching his fish, the third of the season. "The river wasn't crowded and it's a good stretch of the river for trying to catch a salmon. Now, I don't have to drive to Riggins!" For other anglers, the fishing has been slow. But that has not stopped them from fishing nor dampened their enthusiasm for trying to catch a salmon. "I am getting to fish for salmon right here, close to home!" exclaimed one angler. Another who was settled into a good spot along the river bank said "You know, I just like being here. It's everything, the river, the scenery. And now" he said with a gleam in his eye "I just might catch a salmon." And it is this possibility that lures anglers to the river where they wait and watch, casting hope to a passing chinook that might be willing to grab the end of their line.