Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Report date: 11/20/12
Fishing over the past week was overall slower than the few weeks previous. This last Saturday was the big opening of the annual Lewiston steelhead derby. Although a good time is had by many of the contestants it almost always has a negative impact on the fishing due to the major spike in fishing pressure in a short time frame. But, with that said, when our guides found fresh ...
fish they did very well. One of our boats went 7-12 on Sunday, and another of our guides landed two on the swing on Saturday. Most of our success came for from back trolling plugs and side drifting bait. The fly guys that did well were swinging leach type patterns and sink tips.
For this week expect fishing to pick up some as the fish get used to the current conditions. I'm fact this week has gotten off to a great start as one of our guides went 5-7 today. Look to find fish in the places that might not be getting fished as regularly.
 
One word of caution to anyone headed this direction over the next few day.  WATCH THE RIVER LEVELS.  Things may get a little interesting, but then again sometimes the predictions are wrong!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012


Report Date: 11/13/12

Steelhead fishing on the Clearwater remained very good over the past week.  The weather front that came in on Thursday not only did not put the fish off, but made fishing better.  As has been the case over the past few weeks back trolling plugs and side drifting bait have been our two most successful methods.  Even our fly clients had very good outings this last week with multiple fish landed on flies throughout the week.  It seems that lower returns over Lower Granite have not translated into slow fishing on the Clearwater. 

Look for fishing to remain very good over the next week and into the upcoming holiday week.  For gear anglers back trolling plugs and side drifting bait will remain the top techniques for hooking Big B-Run Steelhead.  For fly anglers expect the guys throwing light sink tips to start hooking a much higher percentage of fly caught fish.  Also winter type steelhead patterns will be more effective patterns compared to earlier this season.  Think black bunny leaches!

 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012


Report date: 11/6/12

Fishing over the past week some of the best we have seen all season.  After the high water we had early in the week the fish seemed to be very aggressive and willing to bite.  Things were a little busy on the lower river due to a fishing derby being held in Lewiston (this was not the big derby for the year but a smaller weekend derby), but even with the increase in pressure on the lower river our guides managed to do very well.  Another plus for drift boat anglers is that the upper river has been fishing well for the last few weeks, and will continue to be a good option for anglers willing to get away from the crowds.  Our gear guides were successful back trolling plugs and side drifting eggs.  This last week was also a great week for fly angers on the river.  We heard several reports of guys getting into multiple big fish swinging flies!  Both the sink tip crowd and the guys fishing dry lines seemed to be getting into fish.  The same flies that have been producing all season continued to get grabs.  With steelhead fly fishing its more about getting your fly in front of a willing fish than the particular fly used. 

For this week expect fishing to stay good.  We have a large cold front predicted to hit the Clearwater area on Thursday so we will just have to see how that affects fishing for the weekend but there will be fish available throughout the entire river.