Selway River Idaho Hatch Chart

North-central Idaho. The Selway drains the Bitterroot and Clearwater ranges through one of the largest roadless wilderness areas in the lower 48 - the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The river runs roughly 100 miles before joining the Lochsa to form the Middle Fork of the Clearwater near Lowell.

Wild westslope cutthroat trout are the primary target, with bull trout present in the deeper pools and lower river. Fish average 10-14 inches with larger cutthroat taken regularly above 16 inches. The Selway is not a technical fishery - cutthroat are aggressive and willing - but accessing it requires commitment. Most of the upper river is trail access only. The lower river near Selway Falls and the Magruder Corridor is more accessible by road.

The salmonfly hatch in late June and early July is the signature event. After that, hopper season carries the fishery through September. This is wilderness dry-fly fishing at its best.

Confirm current Idaho Fish and Game regulations before you go. Bull trout are catch-and-release only statewide. Check road and trail conditions with the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest - the Magruder Corridor road is unpaved and seasonal.

Shop by type: dry flies, nymphs, Euro nymphs, hoppers and terrestrials, streamers.

Year at a glance

Month Primary hatches Also carry Typical sizes
Jan-Apr Upper river inaccessible; lower river possible on mild days 18-22 midge
May Caddis, stonefly nymphs BWO, high runoff typical Caddis 14-16, stones 6-10
Jun Salmonfly, golden stone, caddis PMD late month Stones 4-10, caddis 14-16
Jul PMD, caddis, yellow sally Hoppers start, golden stone fading 14-18
Aug Hoppers, ants, caddis Late PMD, beetles Hopper 8-12, ant 14-16
Sep Hoppers, BWO, October caddis Ants, streamers 10-18, BWO 18-20
Oct October caddis, BWO Midges Caddis 8-12, BWO 18-22
Nov-Dec Upper river inaccessible; lower river midges and small nymphs 18-22

Winter and early spring (January-April)

The upper Selway is buried under snow and inaccessible by road or trail from November through late spring. The lower river near Lowell can be fished in mild winter weather with midges and small nymphs, but it receives little attention. Most anglers plan their Selway trips around the salmonfly hatch window in June.

  • Midges - 18-22 on the lower river near Lowell on mild days.
  • Small dark stonefly nymphs along the bottom.

May

Snowmelt keeps the upper river blown out through most of May. Caddis build on the lower river when flows allow. Stonefly nymphs are migrating. Road conditions into the upper drainage are typically poor until late May or early June - confirm with the Forest Service before planning access.

June

The month most Selway anglers plan around. The salmonfly hatch moves upstream as flows drop - typically starting on the lower river in early June and reaching the upper wilderness water by mid-to-late month. Timing the leading edge of the hatch is everything. Access to the upper river opens as roads and trails clear. Golden stones overlap and extend the big-bug window into early July.

  • Salmonfly - 4-8. A West Fork Salmonfly tight to the bank or under overhanging brush. Fish the leading edge upstream of where adults are thickest.
  • Golden stone - 6-10. Overlaps with and follows the salmonfly. Drop a stone nymph 18 inches below a dry.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings throughout the month. Elk hair.
  • Late June: first PMD in riffles, 16-18. Pale Morning Dun.

July

Classic wilderness cutthroat fishing. PMDs in the morning, caddis in the evening, yellow sallies in the fast pocket water. Cutthroat are aggressive - they will eat a well-presented dry with little hesitation. The upper river is at its best and most accessible. Hoppers begin showing along the grassy benches and slide-alder banks by mid-month.

August

Terrestrial season. Hoppers, ants, and beetles along every bank. Cutthroat in the Selway are not selective - a well-placed hopper near the bank will bring fish up from surprisingly deep lies. Fish early and late; the canyon can heat up by midday in August. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible - be aware of lightning exposure on the open ridge trails.

  • Hoppers, ants, beetles - hoppers and terrestrials. A hopper-dropper with a small nymph underneath covers both feeding lanes.
  • Evening caddis. Elk hair.
  • Late PMD on cool mornings in shaded upper canyon sections.

September

One of the best months on the Selway. Crowds drop to near zero after Labor Day. Terrestrials still work. Olives return as nights cool. October caddis begin on the lower river. Bull trout become more active in the deeper pools. The wilderness in September - color in the larches, cold mornings, empty trails - is as good as fly fishing gets.

  • Hoppers and ants until the first hard frost.
  • BWO - parachute BWO and Baetis emerger, 18-20.
  • Early October caddis - large orange dry, 8-12.
  • Streamers in deeper pools at last light for bull trout and large cutthroat.

October

Fall colors in the canyon. October caddis and olives for willing cutthroat. Upper river access can close with early snow - check road and trail conditions carefully. The lower river near Lowell remains accessible and fishes well into October.

  • October caddis and BWO.
  • Midges in slow pools.
  • Streamers for larger fish and bull trout.

November-December

Upper river inaccessible. Lower river near Lowell can fish on mild days with small flies.

  • Midges - 18-22. Small nymphs.

A Selway box is simpler than most western rivers - cutthroat are not selective. Bring a salmonfly pattern, golden stone dry and nymph, caddis assortment, PMDs, hoppers, and a few October caddis. The western dry and nymph assortment covers the core season - add stones and hoppers and you're ready.