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Hello All,
Will be heading out to the Ketchum area around Sept 8th to fish Silver Creek and then plan on heading up to Stanley, Challis (maybe up to Salmon?) and then down to Island Park.
Besides Silver Creek are there any other "must hit" waters out there for that time of year? I'd like to have a chance at catching something different like a grayling or bull trout. Is there any chance at a Steelhead or Chinook in that area in Sept?
What can we do on our own and what do we need a guide for? For example, it looks like I can pretty much pull over anywhere on ID-75 and throw my line into the Salmon (alway respecting private property of course).
Also, is there anything worth checking out in Ketchum (restaurants, nightlife, etc...) or should we just head up to Stanley? Stanley looks infinitely more interesting (not to mention beautiful) than Ketchum.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
P.S. We will be fly fishing and will only have about 2 1/2 - 3 days in the area.
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You must eat at the Pioneer in Ketchum for dinner. Smack downtown on the main street. Best prime rib anywhere and baked potatoes. Their entire menu is amazing. This is a must eat restraunt I think.
I have fished the Wood River for many years, mostly between Galena and North Fork. Lots of smaller rainbows. Good fishing for sure but nothing spectacular. They are very eager for dry flies for sure.
On the other side of Galena there are some lakes with Bull Trout for sure and someone else here may help more as to which ones to pick. Redfish, Stanley, or Petit come to mind. The Salmon is good fishing most anywhere but for Steelhead I coulddn't tell you. The Chinook season is over to my knowledge but check it out. All great country.
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Trail Creek is very good fishing at times. I have had several very good days of fishing there. That said I am not that wild about Sun Valley or Stanley. Way too many people that have an elevated sense self worth.
Stanley WAS a crown jewel. Pine bark beatles have killed about every tree there. USFS has done there best to make regular people feel unwelcome.
Wildlife was once a great reason to go sight seeing. Elk in the medows and Deer walking through camps. Not any more.
If it were me I would skip the whole mess and head for Salmon and Challis. I would rather spend time fishing the big lost than silver cr but that is just me. Macky Res would be a must stop place for me as well. Antelope Creek is very good fishing and Cherry Cr in the Antelope drainage has some VERY VERY good brook trout fishing. Brookies in the 12" to 14" range are there.
Over to the East going over Pass cr is a creek called Wet creek. Fishing beaver ponds for Brookies and Bull trout is in order there.
While Ketchum and Stanley are the poster "child" of Idaho the real "Gem's" are off the beaten path.
Ron
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Thanks for the advice! We've decided to fish Silver Creek, spend a night in Ketchum, a night in Stanley and a night in Salmon. Taking our time b'twn each town, stopping wherever we see fishy water, maybe hike up a creek or two. Thanks again!
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We were just at Stanley, and if you want to see some elk, just head up the road to Lowman at dusk, and you should see lots of elk in the meadows. They were quite close to town. By the way, the river was fishing quite well. Mike
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I'm with Ron, don't slow down until you're 5 miles north of Stanley. Bull Trout and Rainbows in the river. A nice little side trip would be up the Yankee fork of the Salmon over Mill Creek Summit into Challis."Brooks in Mill Creek".Just South of Challis you can go up Bayhorse creek to Bayhorse Lakes.
I drink Beer and chew Copenhagen so I'm not allowed in Stanley or Sun Valley. And I think they only allow Orvis waders on Silver Creek so my Hodgman's won't cut it.
Regardless, it's a beautiful drive so enjoy!
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Stop in Ketchum at some of the fly shops there; ie Silver Creek Outfitters and Lost River Outfitters. They can help you with local maps, where to go, and what to use.
Enjoy the area it is all good! Try some of the small water as well as the more famous places.
Good luck and let us know how you did!
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Last year - we stopped just out of Ketchup - and headed east to some camp areas, just as you head into national forest - towards Galena Pass, and out of the rich-folks-summer-ranch zone. There was some primo river up there - camp host admitted - with all the $$$ coming in - the rivers were stocked pretty generously.
Had some good fishn' at Lake Alturas this summer - at the inlet. Rainbow planters, bull trout, various locals - squaw, suckers. A pretty ideal (busy) spot with the river connecting to the lake. Heard good stories of shore fishing from the north beach campground at sunset.
Fourth of July lake proved to be very accessible, and had some nice fish, and LOTS of bugs.
There's a picnic area just before Stanley - as you're heading north. Always seemed to draw anglers to the Salmon. Good access. Found a few nice brookies along the 75 there.
Same advice - check in at local shops - they are great at helping. Good luck, let us know how you do.
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Again, thanks all for the advice. Leaving today, will post trip report in a few weeks.
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