The spring thaw is finally happening and Steelhead fishing has been picking up.With the warmer weather the past few days, the Salmon River’s ice is breaking up and down river the ice is all but gone. There is some snow on the ground but it has been going fast. Cottonwood has been plowed out but as far as I know, no other ramps have been plowed around Challis. You can always call the Challis field office to see when they are planning on clearing our ramps.The ramps have been plowed from Carmen Creek down to North Fork , but there is still snow to contend with if you are camping. There have been a few fish hooked and caught around Deer Gulch, but most of the fishing is toward Salmon still. The water temps are in the mid thirties so it’s still cold. Fishing in section 14 was 8 hours per fish and in section 15 below Northfork was9 hours per fish last week Most of the angling was in this area. Fishing proved to be slower upstream towards Challis. Darker flies are working best. Try using a Green Butt Skunk, black or purple Bunny bugs, Green/copper or lack and purple Senyo’s Intruders, Freight Trains and other darker flies. The water is starting to get a little stained in the afternoon, but clarity is still good.