Ice interrupts steelhead fishing

Temperatures in the single digits have brought ice to the Salmon River in the Salmon area. Slush ice has been flowing for a couple of days, and steelhead fishing is suspended for the time being. With moderating temperatures the ice will ease off, and we will be able to put boats on and fish for steelhead off and on through the winter, but it is hard to plan this time of year. As a general thing, if the morning temperature is above 20, the river will probably be free of ice that day, or at least in the afternoon. Weather fore casts are getting better, so we can make a pretty good guess a few days ahead whether we can fish–but mornings and evenings are cold. Afternoons can be pretty nice. Half-day trips for steelhead work out well this time of year.