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Fish Rap: Hells Canyon has Good Steelie Fishing by Roger Phillips Idaho Statesman, October 30, 2008

Fish & Game allows first Hells Canyon harvest in decades

Hells Canyon typically offers a good chance to catch a steelhead from the bank. Fish stack up near the dam and there's lots of access, although most of it is on the Oregon side. Steelhead are hitting Blue Fox spinners and roe. One advantage for anglers is that fish get stopped at the dam, unlike other places where they seem to pass through in waves. The flipside is that Fish and Game plans to open the trap at the dam, which will siphon a lot of fish out of the river. It might not affect the fishing much, because more fish are moving in, but there's no telling. Steelhead are a mystery, so you just have to hope for the best.

Steelhead are everywhere - from Lewiston to the upper Salmon - and they're probably coming to the Boise River next Thursday. Watch IdahoStatesman.com for details.

Speaking of the Web site, check out Zimo's steelheading video at IDAHOSTATESMAN.COM/VIDEO

Clear Lake update: The private lake near Buhl will be stocked next week. The exact date is not known. This popular winter fishery has seen hard times in recent years. Fish seem to disappear after they are stocked, but the Clear Lake Country Club isn't giving up. They plan to stock 5,000 pounds of trout in the 2-5 pound range. Fishing is $10 for adults and $3.50 for kids. It's catch and release and fly fishing only. For more information call (208) 543-4849.