Report Date: 9/10/12

An increase in steelhead counts at Lower Granite over the past few days combined with dropping flows have led to an increase in catch rates on the Lower Clearwater.   We have been having consistent success swinging small traditional hair wing type pattern near the surface during the low light hours as well as small dark leachy stuff on light sink tips when the sun is high.  Our key to success has been to cover lots of water and fish hard.  When the water is still high in late summer guys need to approach the Clearwater a little different than you would during early October.  During August and the first half of September we look for fish in areas that will have little to no water later in the year.  Fish the fishy water and don’t be afraid to fish runs with your back in the brush and you will find fish.  The river is very big this time of year so fish the water you can effectively and forget about the rest.  Overcasting is one of the biggest mistakes we see from many anglers on the Clearwater.  Look for fishing to continue to improve during the next few weeks.  Discharge from Dworshak Dam will continue to decrease as the flow augmentation period for the lower river draws to a close.  The river will be slowly stepped down over the next week and a half and by the end of September the Clearwater will be in her prime low fall flows.  The fall is a magical time in the Clearwater Valley and should be on everyone’s to fish list!