Clearwater River Steelhead Report

Report Date 1.23.12

Last week a major winter storm finally made its way into the Clearwater region.  We received very heavy snow fall in some areas and the aftermath is still on the hillsides, but as the roads cleared and we got back to the river plenty of big steelhead were waiting.  Because of the storm river levels bumped up to more normal levels and we got a little bit of color to the water.  Fishing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday was great.  Sunday was our best day of the week as one of our guides managed to bring 10 big Clearwater b runs to the boat.

Fishing over the next few weeks should be very good as continued precipitation in the region should keep river levels up and steelhead on the move.  Currently most of our attention has been on the lower river, but the upper river flows finally came up and it won’t be long until warmer water temps make fishing the upper river our number one game plan.  Now is the time to make your plans to fish the Clearwater!

Our most productive fishing method for gear anglers over the past week was side drifting eggs.  This is our preferred way to fish when we get some color to the water and the fish are moving.  Backtrollers will also continue to do very well, and like most always we suggest that anglers pick their favorite way of fishing and fish hard. 

For fly angers, if you are not scared of colder weather and water temps then there are still fish to be caught swinging flies.  Most success will come to anglers that know the river well and fish sink tips and winter steelhead type patters, but success can be had.  To prove this point one of our guides was fishing on a day off and went 1-2 swinging flies one afternoon.  Also for guys that like to nymph the spring is the best time of year for this tactic and we often have big number days nymphing egg flies from the drift boat.

We often have some of our best fishing of the year during the last two weeks of January into the first two weeks of February, so if you are interested in a trip we suggest you book asap as our best dates are going quickly!