Lemhi River
river in Idaho
The Lemhi River flows through a fertile valley, providing excellent habitat for trout. It's a less-pressured alternative to some of Idaho's more famous rivers, with good access and diverse fishing opportunities.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Lemhi River
- 01Expect typical low to moderate fall flows on the Lemhi River.
- 02Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are active, especially on overcast afternoons.
- 03The October Caddis hatch is a significant event, offering opportunities for larger dry flies.
- 04Midge activity is consistent subsurface with cooler water temperatures.
- 05Fall is egg season, making egg patterns very effective for Steelhead and resident trout.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Comet
A general attractor streamer that is highly effective for Steelhead in fall conditions on freestone rivers.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Fall brings consistent Blue-Winged Olive hatches, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for targeting selective trout and Steelhead feeding on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is egg season, and this pattern effectively mimics salmon and trout eggs in the drift, attracting Steelhead and resident trout.
Buy at AmazonJujubaetis
A highly effective Baetis nymph year-round, it will be a consistent producer for subsurface feeding trout and Steelhead during fall.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis hatch is a significant event in fall on western rivers, providing a large meal for opportunistic feeders like Steelhead and various trout.
Buy at AmazonTungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
This weighted stonefly nymph is excellent for getting deep in the current and imitating large dislodged insects, a crucial tactic in fall as water temperatures drop.
Buy at AmazonBlack Woolly Bugger
A slow-stripped or dead-drifted black streamer mimics leeches and sculpins, which are active even in colder fall waters, provoking strikes from larger trout and Steelhead.
Mahogany Dun
Late summer and fall often see hatches of Paraleptophlebia (Mahogany Duns), offering excellent dry fly opportunities for rising trout.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Hayden Creek Road Access
Provides access to prime stretches of the Lemhi River with good holding water and diverse insect hatches.
Leadore Area
Upper river section offering good fishing for smaller, but abundant, wild trout in a picturesque setting.
Get Lemhi River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Idaho season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
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Quick answers
Common questions about Lemhi River.
What flies work best on Lemhi River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Lemhi River right now are Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (80% confidence), Glo Bug (Orange) (80% confidence), Mother's Day Caddis (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Lemhi River?
Lemhi River holds Steelhead. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Lemhi River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Lemhi River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Lemhi River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Lemhi River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.