General Info:
One of the most remote regions in Oregon, the Imnaha river runs 73 miles from high up in the Eagle Cap Wilderness until it joins with the Snake River a little down stream of Doug bar. Amazingly, nearly all of this rugged river is accessible by trail and roads of varying condition. The Imnaha canyon is spectacularly scenic in its entirety; from gin clear deep pools high up stream surrounded by mountains, to craggy canyon country surrounding the quaint community of Imnaha and continuing downstream. Home to native Steelhead, Rainbow Trout, Bull-trout, summer Chinook, and plenty of rattle-snakes, elk, deer, big horn sheep, birds of prey, and black bear; a trip down the Imnaha river corridor might be the closest thing there is today to being part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. What ever fishing adventure you are after, the Imnaha is sure to offer an unforgettable experience .
The lower river is a wonderful little steel head fishery. The mid river can be a fair to good trout fishery. The upper river near the FS campgrounds off Hwy 39 is a poor trout fishery because: native trout are not protected; the river is not stocked with trout; the river is glacial fed and does not have many nutrients; and campers tend to “fish-out“ this section of river.
Thanks to the Nature Conservancy and Forest Service, the lower river (the bottom 12 miles from Horse Creek to the Snake) has good public access. There is also a good easement upstream (south) from town for the first three miles. However, the mid river above and below town is mostly private and should not be trespassed. Oregon laws are tough. It is ILLEGAL to hunt or fish on private property without permission – it does not have to be fenced or posted. However, recent information from the Oregon Attorney's Office suggests that if you can float a river in a boat, you can wade and fish it below the high water mark - if you don't trespass when accessing the river.
Some of our favorite Imnaha River Fly Patterns :
Dries: Kaufman Stimulator sz. 8 -14 , Parachute Adams sz. 10- 16 , Purple Haze sz 10 -16, Foamulator sz. 6-12 , Caddis sz 8-16, Hoppers sz 6 - 12 , Yellow Sallies sz. 12 - 16
Nymphs: Princes sz. 6 - 14 , Rubber Leg Squirrel sz. 8 - 14 , Copper John sz. 12 - 18 , Lightning Bug sz. 14 - 18 , Bead Head Hare's Ear sz 8 - 16 , Wooly Bugger sz. 8 - 12, Kaufman Stone Nymph sz. 6 -12 , Copper Swan sz 8 -12 , Bitch Creek sz 8 -12,
Streamers: BH Rubber Leg Black or Olive Woolly Bugger , Sculpin , Muddler Minnows , Leeches
Steelhead: Black and Purple Hobo Spey , Purple Peril , Summer Run , Green Butt Skunk , Gold BH Black Woolly Bugger , Egg Sucking Crystal Leech , Copper Swan , BH Prince , Jumbo John , Egg Patterns , BH Rubber Leg Red Squirrel , Possie Bugger, Starlight Leech
Bass: Chubby Chernobyl , BH Green Woolly Bugger , Poppers , Muddler Minnow
Stream Flow Data: Imnaha River at Imnaha
Current Weather: Forecast
Imnaha River Report:
10/27/24: more rain and snow - should be some steelhead above cow creek.
10/23/24: nice cfs bump from recent rains. now the steelhead are spread-out. beware, lots of steelheaders camped at cow creek.
10/19/24: despite low water levels steelhead continue to push upstream. a recent group of 3 fly fishers landed 6 or 7 below cow creek - mostly nymphing pockets or runs where the fish could use the current for cover. high sticking a sink tip in the deeper runs also produced. some big two salt fish were in the mix. a few more camper trailers show up each day as word gets out.
10/16/24: Some rain last night and today in Joseph, but hope the mountains got more. Will watch river levels. Definitely steelhead in the lower.
10/9/24: today a gear fisher reported catching two nice steelhead on eggs - down from cow creel just below the powerline.
10/6/24: NEW REPORT TODAY! A fisher who had never fished the Imnaha caught two, big, beautiful, two-salt fish down the trail from Cow Creek (nearer the Snake). He figured out he could sight fish, and was swinging flies like muddlers and Deschutes type flies. He said at least several other fishers caught fish, although it was not crouded.
10/3/24: No reports of steelhead being caught near cow creek - i expect a report soon. The Blue Hole is low and the bull trout fishing poor due to very spooky fish. No reports of trout fishing near town.
9/11/24: new report, bull trout being caught below “Indian Crossing” camp ground - to the bridge, without having to hike to the '‘Blue Hole.”
9/11/24: good news - rain is forecast this week - possibly heavy showers at time. In addition to increasing flows, it will cool water temps. We will try to report new news throughout the week. Both steelhead snd trout will welcome this development.
BLUE HOLE DIRECTIONS: At Chev station in Joseph follow sign to the town of Imnaha - east for 7 miles to the junction of Hwy 39. Take hwy 39 for approx. 20 miles to the Imnaha River. At road junction do not cross river, but follow signs to Imnaha River campgrounds (FS Road 3960) to end of road (Indian Crossing Campground). Follow sign to Blue on trail for 2 miles.
8/30/24: the river upstream (south) of town is low, but fishing well according to two recent reports. Fish pockets with sz 16 yellow humpies or hare’s ears - or caddis dries. Or hoppers or ?
8/16/24: Bull trout in the blue hole were taking hoppers.
8/14/24: Waiting for report, but based on other rivers, we assume fishing is currently good from town upstream.
8/13/24: Cool rains last night and cooler weather forecast. Will report water temps and fishing asap.
8/5/24: one of the few rivers that is fishing well despite the warm temperature. Even the “fishing easement” just upstream from town appears cool enough to fish. And the upper river (off hwy 39 near the campgrounds) is fishing very good for bull trout near the “Blue Hole,” and some nice rainbows are running upstream looking for cooler water - providing a rare opportunity for nice rainbows in this beautiful section of river. Added bonus - spawning spring chinook and huckleberries. And for what it is worth, the bottom section of river near cow creek is producing some nice bass.
7/6/24: 650 cfs and trending down - perfect. Blue hole kicking out some beautiful bows. fishing easement above the town Imnaha is good. trout and bass near cow creek good.
6/28/24: water quite high 950 cfs, but some trout taken on heavy flies - to get down.
6/24/24: Oops, I should have updated this sooner. CFS 550 +/- a good level.
Fishing in the 2.5 mile fishing easement just south/upstream of town is good (hoppers and normal bh nymphs - prince, hare’s ears, etc. ).
Blue Hole bull trout fishing good to very good early morning with long white bunny fur leaches (also a few large salmon in the river - not really biting flies.
Cow creek area and Snake producing some nice bass.
5/15/24: Probably too high and colored to fish - but i am not sure. no current reports.
05/10/24: Fishing great yesterday. A Euro fisher said his best fishing (a dozen fish) was along the fishing easement south of town. They all took a sz 16 frenchy weighted down by a heavier point fly.
12/30/23: NEW REPORT YESTERDAY: A FRIENDS FACEBOOK POST SHOWED FOUR NICE STEELHEAD ON THE LOWER IMNAHA.
12/11/23: NOT ICED-UP.
12/2/2023: REPORTED TO BE ICED-UP
11/17/23: WANT TO CATCH A STEELHEAD ON A FLY - THIS IS PRIME TIME ON THE IMNAHA. AND ALMOST SHIRTSLEEVE WEATHER. GOOD REPORTS.
11/12/23: A COUPLE REPORTS FROM LAST WEEK INDICATING GOOD STEELHEAD FISHING (ONE FISHER, TWO RAINY DAYS) LANDED THREE STEELHEAD AND LOST ONE, USING A SPEY ROD AND STRIKE INDICATOR (BASIC LEECH/STONEFLY NYMPHS) IN THE FIRST THREE MILES BELOW COW CREEK. SHOULD HAVE MORE REPORTS VERY SOON.
10/20/23: NO NEW FISHING REPORTS, BUT A RANCHER ON THE LOWER RIVER SAID COW CREEK DID NOT APPEAR CROWDED - AT LEAST ON WEEK DAYS.
10/3/23; AS WORD ABOUT THE STEELHEAD FISHING STARTS TO LEAK OUT, I AM A BIT CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MANY FISHERS THE TRAIL BELOW COW CREEK CAN SUPPORT.
10/2/23: WELL, I CAN CONFIRM THERE ARE A FAIR NUMBER OF STEELHEAD AND NICE TROUT IN THE LOWER RIVER. SORRY I CANNOT ELABORATE, AS LOCALS WOULD KILL ME. THE TRAIL FROM COW CREEK TO THE MOUTH IS HEAVILY OVERGROWN WITH BLACK BERRIES - PASSABLE ON FOOT, BUT A TOUGH GO FOR MOUNTAIN BIKES.
9/26/23: EXPECT TO HAVE SEVERAL REPORTS ON LOWER RIVER STEELHEAD OVER THE NEXT FIVE DAYS.
9/26/23: INTERESTING BULL TROUT REPORT: FISHING AROUND THE IMNAHA CAMPGROUNDS (BUT NOT THE “BLUE HOLE”) A FISHER HOOKED 7 AND LANDED 6 NICE SIZE BULLS. THEY MUST HAVE RECENTLY MOVED UPSTREAM TO SPAWN. ALSO A GOOD NUMBER OF LARGE WHITEFISH, BUT NO TROUT.
9/23/23: STEELHEAD REPORTED IN LOWER RIVER! SPOKE THIS MORNING WITH A NEZ PERCE FISHERIES PERSON WHO WORKS THE IMNAHA, AND HE WAS THE ONE TO REPORT THE STEELHEAD.
8/28/23: THE COMPLICATED RIVER JUST BECAUSE …. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO CATCH (?) BIG BULL TROUT / SMALL RAINBOWS / MEDIUM RAINBOWS / STEELHEAD / SALMON / WHITEFISH / BASS …… AND WHERE THE HECK IS THE PUBLIC ACCESS. AND WHERE DO YOU WANT TO CAMP/FISH - IN BEAUTIFUL PINE FORESTS AND HUCKLEBERRY FIELDS OR ….CATUS AND RATTLE SNAKES?
BRIEF CURRENT REPORT: 1) BIG BULL TROUT ARE BEING CAUGHT AT THE BLUE HOLE 2) THE PUBLIC ACCESS AREA UPSTREAM FROM TOWN HAS BEEN FISHING FAIRLY WELL FOR MEDIUM SIZE TROUT 3) WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR A RUMOR OF THE FIRST STEELHEAD TO BE CAUGHT ON THE LOWER RIVER. CALL ME - MAYBE?
8/6/23: STILL FISHIG WELL ON THE PUBLIC ACCESS AREA, OR ROAD TO STREAM ACCESS IMMEDIATELY SOUTH, UPSTREAM FROM TOWN. HOPPER DROPPERS, BUGGERS, ETC.
AND, SURPRISINGLY, THE AREA ALONG THE UPPER IMNAHA RIVER (FROM THE FISH WEIR TO INDIAN CROSSING) IS PRODUCING MORE TROUT AND WHITE FISH THAN NORMAL THIS YEAR.
7/18/23: A FLY-FISHER REPORTED CATCHING A GOOD NUMBER OF TROUT EARLY THIS MORNING ON ORANGE AND TAN HOPPERS. “GOOD FISHING” HE SAID - NO ONE ELSE FISHING. HE FISHED THE 2 -4 MILE PUBLIC ACCESS UPSTREAM FROM TOWN.
7/13/23: STILL FISHING WELL UPSTREAM FROM TOWN ON PUBLIC ACCESS. BLUE HOLE KICKING OUT AGGRESSIVE BULL TROUT 7:00 - 10:00 AM.
6/30/23: FLOWS PEAKED A FEW DAYS AGO AND ARE AT GOOD FISHING LEVELS. WILL TRY TO GET SOME BUG REPORTS - BESIDES HOPPERS, HOPPERS, AND MORE HOPPERS
6/27/23: 6/27/23: HEAVY RAINS IN THE VALLEY LAST NIGHT AND TODAY WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT FISHING ON THE WALLOWA, GRAND RONDE, IMNAHA AND THE SOUTH END OF WALLOWA LAKE - FOR AT LEAST A FEW DAYS (HIGH WATER, COLORED WATER, COLD WATER, FEWER HATCHES). FORCAST CALLS FOR SUNNY SKIES AND WARM TEMPERATURES, STARTING THURSDAY, FORE AN EXTENDED PERIOD.
6/23/23: FAIR TO GOOD TROUT FISHING SOUTH OF TOWN, AND ON THE LOWER RIVER BELOW COW CREEK.
6/16/23: still no reports of good fishing, but i am expecting several reports on the upper, mid, and lower river this weekend.
4/18/23: THE SHOP IS NOW OPEN FOR THE SEASON - 10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM. WITH CONTINUED SNOW AND RAIN, WE EXPECT OUR RIVERS TO BE TOO HIGH OR COLORED TO FISH MOST OF THE REST OF THIS SPRING. HOWEVER, WE WILL REPORT ANY SUCESSFUL FISHING REPORTS WE RECEIVE. WE CURRENTLY HAVE AN EXCEPTIONAL SNOW PACK IN THE WALLOWA MTS, WHICH MAY MEAN DELAYED WADING ON THE IMNAHA THIS SUMMER.
OUR BEST FISHING OPPORTUNITIES AT THIS TIME (AND WHILE THE RIVERS ARE TOO HIGH TO FISH) ARE KINNEY LAKE AND WALLOWA LAKE - BOTH OF WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN STOCKED WITH SOME NICE BOWS.
11/16/22: JUST GOT A GOOD REPORT FROM TROY, BUT NO NEWS -ZERO/NADDA FROM THE IMNAHA. WHICH MEANS IT IS REALLY GOOD, OR REALLY BAD?
9/21/22: STEELIES DEFFINATELY ARE MOVING INTO THE LOWER RIVER. WITH THE EXPECTED WET WEATHER THIS WEEK, FISH WILL BE ON THE MOVE.
ONE FISHER IN THE STORE TODAY CASUALLY MENTIONED HE HOOKED SEVEN FISH IN THE SNAKE BELOW THE CONFLUENCE WITH THE IMNAHA - TWO WEEKS AGO. AT THE TIME HE SAID HE HAD NO LUCK IN THE LOWER IMNAHA.
9/1/22: LOW AND WARM, AND POOR TROUT FISHING. TOO DAMNED HOT TO BE ON THE RIVER ANYWAY.
Unless you hike up to the Blue Hole, upstream from Indian Crossing campground - where there has been good success for med/large Bull Trout.
7/23/22: 300 cfs (about normal) and good hopper fishing at public access points from town to approx five miles above town. It is going to be pretty hot next week, so most comfortable fishing will be from early, early morning until the sun clears the east canyon rim around 10:30 am. Also, some kids reported some good bass fishing on the lower river near Cow Creek, fishing poppers and mice patterns very near dark.
7/20/22: Should be some some good hopper fishing south of town - will have a report tomorrow.
7/7/22: River is still high, but finely dropping. Stone flies on the lower river for the past three weeks. A friend posted some nice Spring Chinook catches on the lower section - with river conditions rapidly improving. Even though the Chinook are a bit dark, they are some of the tastiest salmon you will ever eat. If you fail to catch one, consider buying some from local Nez Perce vendors in Joseph.
6/22/22: 1200 cfs today (down from 2200 cfs a week ago) but headed back up with our warm weather. Chinook season opens Sat the 24th. Best bring some heavy gear and try to get them up thrashing the surface before planning them quickly to the bank. Good luck. By the way, plenty of stone flies around.
3/28/22: Despite a good steelhead forecast and a three hatchery fish limit, the spring catch rate has been slow. The river may blow from snowmelt soon.
12/1/21: Better than normal fall steelheading this year. Also, not too mush pressure. Thee hatchery fish limit.
10/25/21: Oops -forgot to post this last week A couple of novice steelheaders walked down the trail to the Snake and hooked 6 steelhead, a dozen trout including a couple nice ones, and a number of bull trout. They were nymphing black, GB woolly buggers and black tungston pats rubber legs. They did not make it to the Snake where the nice swing run below the confluence would have undoubtedly produced some steelies.
10/14/21: JUST GOT A GREAT CREEL CHECKER REPORT FOR THE GR - 19 FISHERS, 19 STEELHEAD FOR 3.9 HRS/FISH - DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER. SOOO NO REPORTS, BUT HAS TO BE STEELHEAD IN THE LOWER IMNAHA.
9/30/21: ODFW STEELHEAD UPDATE (for Grande Ronde/Imnaha/Wallowa Rivers).
The above rivers are expected to have a steelhead return equal to about 40% of the 10 year average - not bad considering other NW streams. As such, ODFW expects to keep these streams open to steelhead, with a daily 3 hatchery fish limit (whereas the Clearwater and Snake, and, I believe, the Salmon (?) will have one fish limits). So far 18000 hatchery steelhead, about half the expected return, have crossed Lower Granite Dam.
There will also be a two fish Coho limit on the Grande Ronde (apparently, however, they aren’t too keen on taking flies).
9/24/21: I have heard of one steelhead caught on the Imnaha. Read the ODFW steelhead report attached.
9/24/21: ODFW STEELHEAD REPORT: The following report is very detailed, so you may want to just read the initial summary. The Oregon ODFW Creel Checker for the Grande Ronde reported zero steelhead for the past week. A fisher swinging black muddlers did well for trout.
It’s been a while since I’ve provided an update and I know there’s a lot of questions out there about steelhead salmon and some of our fisheries through the summer. I’m going to address as much as I can here fully admitting I’m a bit late on some of this stuff and it’s probably too much for one email. *Drought* I’d like to circle back on the discussion of the drought and “hoot owl” regulations from July (two updates down). I ended up foregoing the hoot owl regulation on the Wallowa. After monitoring temps and angler effort, it was pretty clear there wasn’t a lot of people fishing in the afternoons when there may have been the potential to have population level problems. There was some effort by local anglers and guides to get the word out about ethics of fishing in hot conditions, which I very much appreciated. I’d much rather see self-regulation of anglers and a culture within the angling community that protects the resource. I’ll be working to put some efforts in place in the future when poor conditions arise to nurture those efforts. I certainly learned a lot this year and will be more prepared for similar conditions in the future. I also appreciate the feedback I heard from you folks out there witnessing the fishery. *Steelhead* This is where most of the questions have been coming from recently and what I’m sure most of you are eager to hear. There is a lot of gloom and doom out there about the steelhead run this year and much of it is warranted. Passage at Bonneville Dam (BON) has been very poor. I’ve been keeping a very close eye on this, developing projections for the Grande Ronde and Imnaha, and developing fisheries recommendations. While this year is certainly a bad year, there is some spots that are not as poor as you may think, though I wouldn’t categorize them as bright spots. We’re pretty lucky in the Snake Basin to have a lot of research and information on steelhead returns which gives us the ability to forecast and get a pretty good idea what we might see. When I’m trying to structure fisheries, I’m looking at both wild and hatchery fish, and each component will have different implications for the fisheries. - I’ve provided a long explanation below, but if you’re not into that kind of thing here’s the short summary: I’m predicting wild steelhead numbers to the Grande Ronde and Imnaha basins will be similar to 17-18, 18-19, and 19-20 run years. This means that wild steelhead will be double the abundance where we’re required by our permit to curtail fisheries (CAT). I’m not currently concerned about fishery impacts on wild fish. Typical impacts in our fisheries are very low and I wouldn’t expect them to fall outside the normal range, nor put the wild population at risk. For hatchery fish, we’re projecting enough fish to make broodstock in both basins, even with normal harvest. Based on current projections, I’m not planning on changing the fisheries from permanent rule in the GR nor IMN. We’ll continue to monitor the return as fish make their way over LGD and make any changes as necessary. To sum it all up, it’s not good, but it’s similar to years we’ve seen recently. The nitty gritty details: - *Grande Ronde* - For wild fish, I’m looking at fish crossing BON and expanding based on previous years to see what we’ll see at Lower Granite Dam (LGD). This involves a variety of metrics that include the worst and best case scenarios. Currently, I’m estimating that somewhere between 1,521 and 3,805 wild fish will cross LGD and be bound for the Grande Ronde with 2,200 fish being the average estimate. Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) has developed their own estimate and expects about 2,600 fish to head for the GR. If you look at Figure 1 below, you’ll see that the range of projections is within the range of recent years. Additionally, with curtailment of fisheries in the mainstem Columbia and Snake and what seems to be a bit of a late run, I’m expecting the run to come in on the higher end of the range. What does this mean for fisheries? Given that we’re within the range of the recent past, and assuming the projections continue to hold, I’m not planning on curtailing the fishery in the GR based on wild fish numbers. Our federal fisheries permits do not require us to curtail fisheries until runs fall below the Critical Abundance Threshold (CAT) which is denoted by the dashed line in Figure 1 (1,200). Typical impacts in our fisheries are very low and I wouldn’t expect them to fall outside the normal range, nor put the wild population at risk. Figure 1. Approx. wild steelhead abundance at LGD for the Grande Ronde River MPG from the 12-13 to 20-21 run years with the projected 21-22 run year Note that error bars represent the range of projections. - For hatchery fish, my primary concern is weather or not we’re going to get enough fish back to the hatcheries to make the next generation of fish. Through similar means as projecting wild fish, I’ve been working to develop projections to inform fisheries structure. Currently I’m projecting between 1,343 and 1,533 hatchery fish to make it to Wallowa Hatchery facilities after hypothetical harvest under normal fishery rules. For Wallowa hatchery programs we need 452 fish to meet broodstock goals. So, based on our estimates we’ll have no problem achieving broodstock goals. Additionally, projections indicate we’ll be within the range or recent years (Figure 2). Similar to the situation with wild fish, I’m not currently planning to curtail fisheries based on hatchery returns. Figure 2. Hatchery steelhead returns at LGD for the Imnaha and Grande Ronde (Oregon only) hatchery programs with projection for the 21-22 run year. - *Imnaha* - For wild fish, I’ve projected runs under the same methods as the GR. I’m currently predicting between 441 and 1,072 wild fish to pass LGD with the average estimate being 697. IDFG has also provided and estimate of 748 fish to the Imnaha. Again, these estimates fall near the range for recent years, and similarly to the GR, I expect the run to be skewed toward the higher end of the expected range as fishery curtailment in the mainstem Columbia and Snake are not considered here. Similarly to the GR, I’m not planning on curtailing the Imnaha fishery based on wild fish numbers. For the Imnaha, our federal fisheries permit doesn’t require us to curtail fisheries until runs fall below CAT which is 300 wild fish. Figure 3. Approx. wild steelhead abundance at LGD for the Imnaha River MPG from the 12-13 to 20-21 run years with the projected 21-22 run year. Note that error bars represent the range of projections. - The story for Imnaha hatchery fish is similar to the GR. Current projections are for 635 to 682 hatchery fish to arrive at the facility on Little Sheep Creek after hypothetical harvest under normal fishery rules. To meet broodstock collection goals, the facility needs 134 leaving about 515 fish as surplus. Again, I don’t believe the hatchery fish return to the Imnaha warrants curtailment of the fishery. - *Hells Canyon* - Current estimates from IDFG for hatchery fish returning to the Hell’s Canyon trap are boarding on the needs for broodstock collection. Therefore we have reduced bag limits to hopefully give us a bit of breathing room in those collections if the run comes in a bit low. Given participation in this fishery is fairly limited for Oregon anglers, most of the savings in harvest are expected to come from Idaho anglers mostly north of the Oregon border. - *Bag Limits* - You’ll remember in recent years we’ve implemented some bag limit restrictions due to poor returns. Through the electronic licensing system (ELS) and anglers tagging their fish electronically, I’ve been able to conduct some preliminary evaluations on the effectiveness of bag limits in the GR and IMN. The short story is that there is no indication that standard bag limits will result in falling short of broodstock collection goals given the predicted run in the GR and IMN. But what about Hells Canyon? Hell’s Canyon predictions are indicating making broodstock collections are a bit tighter. Additionally, much of the harvest of Hells Canyon fish comes in the ID/WA section of the Snake River and the same evaluation of bag limits is unavailable. Myself and Idaho agreed that a bag limit reduction here was appropriate for broodstock collection purposes. - *ELS* - This is where I’ll make my shameless plug for anglers in the area to give electronic licensing a try. While there are some caveats to using the information that streams in, I have been able to get a much better real-time sense of the fisheries over the last year based on harvest submissions. This allows me to make better decisions on fishery structure, provide better updates on how good or bad the fishing is, and to make more informed changes where needed. If you run into me on the river I’d be glad to show you on my phone if you’d like. - *Projections* - Please note that these projections are subject to change. When I develop these projections there is always an element of uncertainty and I do my best to capture the worst case scenario, assess the likelihood we’ll see that scenario, and manage appropriately. I’ll continue to update these projections as we move through the season and make any adjustments if needed with respect to conservation and hatchery production needs. I’ll also do my best to keep folks updated. *Coho Salmon* A bright spot in the world of anadromous fish this year has been Coho. The ocean and Columbia River fisheries were very good and we expect to see a good return to the Snake River basin. The Lostine fish should make their best showing yet and I’m planning on opening the Grande Ronde for harvest of Coho again this year. Currently we expect somewhere around 4,000 Lostine River Coho to make their way past LGD. Expect the fishery announcement to be forthcoming and I’ll provide some more information here once the run progresses a bit further. *Fall Chinook* Fall Chinook season is open in Hells Canyon and a few fish should be around for harvest at this time. Overall this fishery is pretty underutilized by Oregon anglers so I’d encourage you to get out there and give this one a try. The fishery will be open until the end of October and you can keep up to 3 adult Chinook per day regardless of fin clip status. Remember that barbless hooks are required. This fishery will be enshrined in permanent rule starting next year. I apologize for the massive dump of information here but I know many of you will find it relevant and interesting. As always, if you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at the number below. Feel free to share this email and let me know if you’d like to be removed from the list or if you know someone that would like to be added. Tight lines. Kyle Bratcher 9/6/21: VERY INTERESTING: After several weeks of pretty marginal fishing (low flows/dog days of summer) conditions, the fish suddenly came out for Labor Day festivities. Both the Wallowa and the Imnaha reported some very good fishing this weekend.
No particular hatches, but fish were coming to the surface for stimulators (with droppers). One fisher on the Wallowa reported catching 30 fish near Water Canyon, and a second fisher walked down two miles from Minam and caught some big trout with buggers in slow water. On the Imnaha River a group of four fishing on private water “could not keep the fish off.” PS The public easement south of town, and access further south directly from the road also fishing well.
8/21/21: I returned to cooler weather/rain, increased flows and some pretty good fishing. Now, you will just have to survey the river to find where the fish are holding. Check out the two and a half mile fishing south of town. Bass below Horse Creek and plenty of Bull Trout in the Blue Hole and above.
8/4/21: NO ONLINE REPORTS FOR A WHILE (Rob will be out of the shop until Aug. 20th). PLEASE CALL THE SHOP AT: 541-432-4343. THANKS
8/4/21: NO ONLINE REPORTS FOR A WHILE (Rob will be out of the shop until Aug. 20th). PLEASE CALL THE SHOP AT: 541-432-4343. THANKS
7/30/21: ODFW says ok to fish
7/28/21: CFS down to 145 but steady. Per my last info temps are ok and fishing fair to good near (upstream) town. Plenty of large bull trout in the Blue Hole (upstream from Indian Crossing campground). Try stripping a large white Dali-Lama quickly over their heads).
7/20/21: cfs down to 175, but got a 5cfs bump from rains yesterday. For now, I will stick to my 7/11 comments.
7/11/21: Flows down to 220 (I’ve fished them at 100 cfs). But I do not have current water temps in the best trout fishing section south of town.) I believe the river is still cool enough to fish mid day - but need a report. No restrictions yet from ODFW.
7/2/21: Flow down to 350 CFS. Time to start fishing the easement (2.5 miles) starting 1/2 mile upstream from town. Hoppers or standard nymphs.
6/28/21: Hold on a minute. Fresh report. The Imnaha upstream from town is producing some trout, but a knowledgable fisher says it is “too high - dangerously so (?). But rivers are dropping fast - so check the level by checking “Imnaha River, Oregon river level.”
6/27/21: Down 300 cfs this past week (currently 500cfs). Hoppers, hoppers, hoppers. Fishing well on the easement south of town. Will see what this week’s hot spell does to cfs.
6/9/21: Still high, but plenty of hatches and should be starting to fish for trout upstream from town. NEED REPORT.
5/28/21: Fishable. Should be good hatches - possibly stone flies.
5/25/21: Running marginally high (700 cfs) but color not too bad. Just got a report of some smolt being caught down-stream from town, and several larger trout hooked but not landed. Hard to get much info this time of year. You could try calling the Imnaha Store and Tavern and politely asking their opinion.
4/15/21: Not much info. The river is high and may trend higher with snowmelt. I did get one report of a steelhead being caught last weekend. Will try to report info as I get it. Please report hatch, stoneflies if you see them.
3/31/21: Sorry, i have no steelhead repors on the Imnaha
3/9/21: ODFW Creel Checkers starting to report. Steelhead still slow, but river in good shape and some decent trout being caught. I will be around the shop the rest of this month, so report any new info.
1/2/21: Happy New Year friends. Few reports, but one report said they caught some nice rainbows or small steelhead.
12/28/20: Low/clear - no reports
12/21/20: Last week the river was very low and steelhead fishing poor (even for gear fishers). But, possibly muddy today (?).
12/9/20: A friend with a house downstream from Imnaha reported ice along the banks, but thought the river fishable.
11/23/20: Sorry, no new report. But several fishers will be on the river and may report.
11/18/20. Still not much info. One fisher reported catching a Chinook Jack and some nice trout near the mouth last week. Conditions are good and most of the hunters have moved out. ODFW has not been Creel Checking yet. Not sure how to find tagged fish across the Nez Perce counter near Cow Creek.
11/04/20: I SIMPLY DON’T HAVE A RECENT REPORT. HELP PLEASE.
10/23/20: ANOTHER INTERESTING NEW REPORT:
1) A Nez Perce fisheries biologist said 8 tagged steelhead have crossed the tag counter near Cow Creek, which translates to eighty or so steelhead upstream from Cow Creek.
2) A nice wildlife biologist from Utah, Ian, took time to report his three days of exploratory fishing on the Imnaha.
A) First day, he fished the trail down to the Snake from Cow Creek. Like the 10/19 report he found steelhead in the lower section near the Snake. He hooked up four times, and spotted several other steelhead, but failed to land any (at least two of the fish were the big boys, 9 lb fish, which are very hard to land in this narrow canyon/white water in section of river. He also caught a Chinook Jack, and a large small mouth - 20” (?). The only fishers he saw were within a mile or so Cow Creek.
B) Second day he fished the seven miles of river from Horse Creek to Cow Creek - which no one was fishing. He had a good day trout fishing, catching numerous mid-teen trout and two large white fish.
C) Third day he fished the trout fishery south of town and had some good trout fishing. He fished one of the “signed” fishing easement 12-15 miles up river from town and caught numerous smaller bull trout.
10/19/20: Interesting new report today. A young couple hiked down from Cow Creek to the Snake and caught an “Imnaha Grand Slam”: a trout, a bass. a bull trout, a chinook jack and a steelhead. NICE!!.
They hooked three steelhead and landed two - all in the lower Imnaha/Snake. They said there were five pickups/campers (locals) camped at Cow Creek. Although it took awhile for the locals to warm up to their Subaru, the locals engaged them and admitted to catching zero steelhead with jigs near Cow Creek - if you believe them.
Hopefully recent rains have started to move a few steelhead upstream.
10/6/20: Continue to get really good reports from the Imnaha. Lots of October Caddis and hoppers. Ask about fishing easements above town (mostly smaller and some mid/larger trout).
Lower River (Horse Creek to Cow Creek to Snake) producing some steelhead and larger trout/or smaller steelhead under 20”.
9/28/20: Hate tp advertise this, but yup - steelhead being caught at the Snake - up to Cow Creek. May get crowded at some point. Come on down, get your buck, then some steelhead. But don’t tell anyone.
9/20/20 Good to very good trout fishing upstream from town and below Horse Creek to the Snake. Start with Hoppers - maybe with a dropper. Don’t be too surprised if you hook an early steelhead (on your 4 wt rod!). It happens every year at this time.
9/20/20: HOT OFF THE PRESS - STEELHEAD!!!!!!
Just spoke to a fisher that fished Troy to Bogans for trout yesterday (Friday the 19th) - he did well with hoppers. BUT, HE ALSO RAN INTO A FISHER WITH A SPEY ROD SWINGING FOR STEELHEAD. HE HAD LANDED TWO STEELHEAD NEAR TROY THAT DAY.
UP 40% FROM LAST YEAR !!!!!! THE OUTLOOK FOR THIS YEAR’S STEELHEAD RUNS ON THE RHONDE/WALLOWA/INHAHA ARE LOOKING UP - BOTH HATCHERY AND WILD FISH UP 40% FROM LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO ODFW, OUR STEELHEAD ARE 95% OVER BONNIVILLE, BUT ARE JUST STARTING TO CROSS OUR LAST DAM ON THE SNAKE - LOWER GRANITE.
9/10/20: Hot hopper action both upstream from town and down near Cow Creek. Seems like the bigger the fly the bigger the fish - chubbys (orange, purple, tan or…). Fish aren’t interested in nymphs. One good flyfisher using a huge, thick October Caddis, caught plenty of 10” to 16” fish in the lower river. Fishing upstream from town caught lots of 6” - 7” trout and a fair number of 10” trout.
9/7/20: Had a good report from a fly fisher three days ago - in the fishing easement south of the town. Strictly nymphing, he found fish kegged-up in a few nice runs - a combination of small to medium sized bows and large white fish
9/1/20: Fishing pretty well above and below town - especially if you ask to fish private water. Reports of 14” - 17” fish as well as a lot of smaller fish.
8/15/20: The 2.5 mile easement upstream from town is still fishing well, but the catch will include smaller smolt.
8/15/20: Like last year, the mid section (south, upstream from town) has been our most productive trout fishery this year. Hopper droppers are a good bet, or standard strike-indicator nymph patterns. Or, stimulators - big or small. Or black woolly buggers. etc.
Plus several good reports from the lower river (Horse Creek to Cow Creek) - 12” bass and some nice trout.
7/29/20: Good flows for fishing. Had a recent report from a local docter that said he caught 20+ fish above town on hopper (or chubby chernoylbols) with small sz 16 - 20 droppers.
7/16/20: Some good trout fishing near town the past few days.
7/14/20: FINALLY: The Imnaha is dropping (a foot in the last two days?). Starting to wade in places. Try a hopper or - a hopper. Of course it also nymphs well, or dry/dropper. Bigger, deeper, holes, put on a black bugger and go for bull trout. Best trout fishing in the “mid river” upstream (south) from town.
6/27/20: Sorry for the late report - was out of town last week. The river is still high, but we have had some good reports of caddis hatches AND good fishing. Less crowded that the Wallowa River. Fish the 2.5 mile fishing easement upstream, starting about .5 miles south of town past the corrals - until the next house and corrals. Or keep heading upstream and ask permission to fish. There are also a couple small fishing easements about 12 miles upstream from town. Then, of course, not too far past that you will enter National Forest where the trout fishing slows, but whitefish and bull trout step in.
6/12/20: Good hatches, but big water. Plenty of snow in the high mountains, plus rain forecast the next two days, so hard to predict when the flows will be good for fishing. Some buddy will sneak in a good day of fishing one of these days. We will try to report the same day we learn of it.
6/1/20: The river is raging from rain and snow melt. However, a friend who lives on the river said there is a good caddis hatch and a few stone flies below town - so we will try to report when the river is fishable along the bank.
10/30/19: Just got an email from a friend who walked the trail from Cow Creek to the Snake. He said he “caught two small steelhead, lost a big one, and caught alot of trout.”
10/25/19: We do not have current reports for either trout or steelhead - but steelhead runs are generally fair to poor.
10/14/19: Sorry for the late report, I was out of the country. Trout fishing on the Imnaha has been good this fall. However, since I returned to the store I have not received a steelhead report. I am sure some steelhead are being caught in the lower river.
9/19/19: Steelhead! I started fishing about noon with my euro 3 weight, when wham, something hit my bottom fly, an orange and pink thing. I could see the fish, because the water is clear and skinny. Didn’t look too big, but then he jumped. Big fish, but I was thinking big trout. He jumped again full length out of the water, then went on a screaming run, with my little reel humming. At the end of the run, (or perhaps the middle of the run) he broke off. Terminal knot inadequate. So if you catch one with an orange and pink fly in his lip, let me know. It’s still raining, so presumably more steelies coming.
9/13/19: I caught a fifteen inch rainbow on a hopper, the top fly on my Euro-nymph 3 weight rod. Quite a tussle. The whippy rod bent in half, but eventually tired him after three jumps. Net full of fish.
9/7/19: Heavy rain yesterday afternoon in the Imnaha Canyon. River muddy, but clearing nicely today. Maybe enough rain to start the steelhead coming up the river.
8/16/19: Still fishing good trout mid--river, bulls upstream, and bass in the lower river.
8/1/19: Had a great report today of some “really good” trout fishing above town (fish the 2.5 mile easement above town or ask people to fish their private property as you head up river. Also a ton of Chinook in the river (two hundred entered the trap yesterday) but they are out of season. However, a lot of big bull trout have followed the salmon upstream for their eggs (and to spawn) and fishing for bulls was good (do not remove from water for pictures).
7/29/19: Think hoppers, hoppers, or hoppers. Fish the 2.5 mile fishing easement starting a half mile upstream from the town of Imnaha. Or fish the lower river below Horse Creek.
7/10/19: Still pretty high to fish. A second round of stone flies showed-up. Still lots of snow in the mountains.
06/24/19: Finally (!) the Imnaha has dropped enough to allow some trout fishing. Stone flies have pretty much come and gone, but caddis out mid day, and, of course, big stone fly nymphs always produce. We could use some reports.
10/09/18: Sorry, I just do not have a steelhead report for you. ??????
10/5/18. I have reports of a few steelhead being caught in the lower river - but pretty early/pretty slow. See our Grande Ronde River report for more info on the areas overall steelhead prospects. Trout fishing on mid section of the river remains good.
8/20/18: Still getting good reports of trout fishing upstream from the town of Imnaha. Downstream from town bass fishing has also been good.
7/26/18: We have recent reports of good dry fly and hopper fishing "above" (south/upstream) from the town of Imnaha. As you head upstream from town you will pass a set of corrals on the river side of the road. From there, upstream, until you come to to the next wood rail fencing on the river side of the road, is a public fishing easement. Further upstream you need to ask permission to cross private property.
7/12/18: According to Dave at the Imnaha Store and Tavern, trout fishing has been a bit slow. Water levels and temps are still pretty good, so that should change as the hoppers arrive in full force. Some fishers are heading to Cow Creek looking for bass and trout, or the upper river looking for bull trout.
7/4/18. The river has dropped sharply the past few days and it is easier to wade into the river. Hoppers are starting to come out - a particularly easy way to fish for trout (cast across stream then lift and dip the rod to simulate a hopper struggling then giving up then struggling again). There is good access on a fishing easement that starts a half mile above town and extends upstream for approx. 2.5 miles above town.
6/29/18: Still high, but some flyfishers had good bulltrout fishing on the upper river, good fishing on Big Sheep Creek, and fair trout fishing on the Imnaha near town. Still a few stone flies, but hoppers should be out soon. Expect the river to drop soon.
6/6/18: Still pretty high. Should be better in a couple weeks. Salmon flies and golden stone have moved upstream to town, but trout may not feeding on them yet. if nothing is surface feeding, try a bh hare's ear along the bank. Or look for a nice bull trout with a large bh black woolly bugger.