Report Date 11.15.11

Last week we experienced our first winter cold front of the season, and as a result fishing was very slow.  Our guides managed a few fish, but to be honest fishing was very tough.  Most fish were caught side drifting large baits and back trolling diver and shrimp.  In our opinion most of the slow fishing was attributed to the rapid change in weather.  We went from decent fall weather to winter rain/snow in a matter of only a few days. 

Success for fly anglers was very limited last week with most of the action coming from guys throwing sink tips and some larger winter type steelhead patterns.  When the water gets cold it seems the fish need a little extra coaxing to get them to move to a fly.  Our favorite patters during the colder late fall flows are big marabou and bunny leach varieties.  Black and pink seem to be two of the most dominate color patterns that produce fish through the colder months. 

For next week we will see continued weather rolling in and out of the area.  I think that this will only improve fishing conditions.  Rain is forecast for the Orofino area for most of the week.  Rain and wet weather mean the river should come up some which will improve fishing.  The biggest key to success during tough fishing conditions is to fish hard and remember that these are steelhead and part of the allure of fishing for steelhead is that they are difficult to catch. 

Clearwater fishing report for 11.7.11

Fishing slowed slightly during the past week.  Cold clear nights combined with snow falling in the high country dropped water temps into the low 44-39 degree range.  Because water temps fell quickly in the upper river fishing was a little slower than we would have liked over the weekend.  With that in mind our guides were able to make the adjustment to consistently put our clients into fish.  While the fish were a little more reluctant to bite our guide’s knowledge of how the river responds to different water conditions was the key to success.  We slowed things down and fished a little more methodical and were handsomely rewarded with large Clearwater B-Run steelhead. 

Gear anglers continued to have the most success side drifting bait and back trolling plugs/diver and bait combination.  Like I said above the key to success was to slow things down and methodically work the water we knew held fish.  When water temps begin to cool down steelhead wont move as far to attack a well presented offering, at this point the skill of the angler or guide really comes into play because putting you bait or lure precisely into the steelhead lair is absolutely essential. 

For fly anglers success was limited.  With the current water temps anglers swinging with sink tips will produce the most fish.  This is not saying that some of the die hard floating line guys wont get a few, but when temps get into the low 40’s its time to bust out the tips.  Angles willing to fish their gear slow and low will consistently put more fish on the bank than the guys insisting on fishing the floating line.  With that said fishing style is dictated most by what makes the individual angler the happiest and not all fishing methods are for everyone, so do what makes your time on the water the most enjoyable to you, and let the steelhead gods decide the rest.

The weather for next week looks to be quite similar to last week.  As the fish get used to the colder water temps fishing should improve this week.  The end of the week is calling for some rain which might send a new push of fish up the river and improve fishing even more.

Report 11.1.11

Report Date: 11/1/11

Fishing over the last week remained very good on the Clearwater.  Although for some people fishing was hit or miss our guides consistently put fish in the boat for our clients.  Once again the two most productive methods were back trolling plugs and side drifting bait.  Fishing became a little more difficult toward the end of last week because we were in the middle of weather patterns and had some bright sunny days.  During days when the water was low and the sun was high we had most of our success during the first few hours of fishing and then again during the last few hours of daylight.  When we see these conditions it really pays to fish long hard days searching for the pool that is loaded with fish.

Fly anglers continued to have good success swinging wet flies on the dry line.  During the past week we had most of our hookups on patterns that resemble the many October caddis that hatch this time of year.  It really seemed like patterns that have some copper or a hint of orange produced the best.  Our favorite patters last week were muddler minnow variations with a hint of orange in them.  Still sizes 6-8 seemed to be the best. 

For this week look for fishing to be very good.  We had a really good rain on Sunday night and into Monday morning.  This weather dropped a lot of water and the river came up some and spiked today, Tuesday morning.  This is the pattern we really love!  It seems that every time we get some sort of spike in flows, no matter how small, that it really gets some fish moving and feeling aggressive.  Look for fishing to be very good into this upcoming weekend.  Gear anglers fishing from boats should look for side drifting and back trolling the produce the best results.  Remember that when looking for fish it really pays to know the water well so pick a section and learn it well.  I do not recommend chasing good fishing reports all over the river because by the time that you heard the fishing was good it’s too late.  Bank anglers will have the most success fishing bobber and jig presentations, and once again find water you like and learn it well.  Dedication to your craft will provide great results when you can get a section or hole super dialed in.

Fly angers still have a few good weeks to hook steelhead on a floating line in the Clearwater.  Our water temps have been slowly dropping which tends to keep us swinging on the floater longer into the fall than in years when water temps plummet quickly.  Look for anything that resembles an October caddis to produce well this next week.  As I have said before this is a game of casting and presenting you fly to as many fish as possible, but don’t forget to work the water close to you well.  Don’t be a guy who hucks it toward the middle of the river without working the close water first, as most of us who live here landed many fish with a single hander swinging well before we got into the obsessive spey world.