Idaho Fish Report

The Ronde is leveling out near the mean flow and down from the recent peak of about 1,500 cfs. The water level has been steady for at least the past week remains good for fishing. Last weekend's creel survey found 8 anglers in Oregon and 6 anglers in.Washington. Oregon anglers caught 5 fish averaging 4.4 hrs/fish and Washington anglers caught 2 fish averaging 12.8 hrs/fish. The cold water probably favors nymphing, but I have caught steelhead swinging flies even with flowing ice, so don't rule out the swing. Swinging attractor patters, such as trude royal coachmen, blue moon and orange blossom specials are good choices Fall Chinook are nearing the end of their spawn in the river, so consider some beads to imitate salmon spawn. With so few steelhead in the system this season, my approach is to fish for trout with lighter outfits and if I'm lucky enough to hook a steelhead then I'll play is gently to protect the lighter tippet on my fly leader. Kyle Bratcher, Acting District Fish Biologist, Enterprise, OR, sent a clarification about this year's steelhead season. The run is very low, but he doesn't anticipate any change in the one-fish limit until Dec. 31, but is optimistic that the limit won't change at all. I'll update this information as I receive it.