Snowpack in the Salmon River in early February is right at above average, while total precipitation for the water year (begining 1 October) is well above average--reflecting warm weather through the fall. High elevation reporting stations are above average snowpack, low elevation stations are below normal. Assuming the current snowpack continues, and we have normal spring rains, we should have pretty high water at the beginning of June, moderating by late June, and be able to do complete Middle Fork trips without flying to Indian Creek through July.

Fall snowfall is important to river flows the following summer. The fall snow seems to pack down, freeze hard, and last better. Late winter snow may bring the snowpack average up, but it doesn’t seem to last--at least, that’s my notion formed over the last 35 years. The above-average precipitation, even if it doesn’t add to the snow pack, does build the ground water, and helps next year’s river level.

From late February, when the ice breaks up, through early April we will be fishing for steelhead near Salmon. Fishermen stay in a local motel, and we are back in town by suppertime. We fish from a drift boat, two fishermen per boat, small heater, lunch, and basic tackle furnished. Give me a call to check on current fishing conditions.

James Ellsworth
Middle Fork River Expeditions
800-801-5146
www.idahorivers.com