Snake steelhead derby extends borders, includes holiday

By popular demand, the annual Kendall Subaru Clearwater Snake Steelhead Derby will be held Saturday through Nov. 24 to allow anglers to take advantage of a national holiday – Thanksgiving.

In addition, the derby will include Washington waters.

Adding miles of water should help boost entries in the event, as the contest will extend westward and include the portion of the Snake River that’s solely in Washington. In past years, anglers were allowed to fish only in Idaho waters. That rule eliminated popular spots west of the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers known for harboring large fish.

“I bet you see participation up 200 to 300 people from what it has been the last three years,” Randy Krall, owner of the Lewiston tackle shop Camp, Cabin and Home, told the Lewiston Tribune. “We think the (Lewis Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce) has done a really good job and we appreciate them listening to our concerns.”