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. 

10/25/11

Report Date: 10/25/11

Fishing over the past week remained really good.  Our gear guides averaged 5-8 fish landed during the week.  This is really good steelhead fishing.  During the week we saw the water drop and clear significantly, and this led to a few days were we had to work for our fish during parts of the day, but anytime you can go out and land 5-8 fish in a day of steelhead fishing it’s a great day on the water.  Our guides continue to have success side drifting bait as well as back trolling plugs and diver and bait combinations.  This time of year it is really all about picking which method you enjoy fishing the most and just going fishing. 

Fly anglers continued to have good success over the past week.  We have notice that most of our opportunities at fly caught steelhead have been from about noon to dark, this time frame also coincides with water temperatures being at their warmest which tends to make fish a little more active.  Most of our fish have come to our standard array of small (6-8) hair wings, but a pattern has been developing over the past few weeks, we are noticing that when the afternoon October caddis hatch is on the fish are reacting a little better to flies with a hint of orange to them.  Also quite a few fish were hooked last week on muddler minnow varieties in the same small sizes as we fish hair wings.  These muddlers fished just under the surface have a tendency to elicit some really aggressive grabs!

Fishing looks to continue to stay good through this week.  Water levels came up some today which should help get some fish moving.  Every time we see a small bump in flows it is usually followed by some really good fishing.   Side drifting bait and back trolling plugs and/ or diver and bait combinations will likely continue to see some of the best results for the boating anglers.  Bank anglers should stick to the always dependable bobber and jig set up as we have witnessed a few bank anglers picking them up on the jig.

For fly angers this current weather pattern that we are in of cold nights and decently warm days will mean that the best time during the day to swing flies will be from early afternoon until dark.  As water temps start to head toward the mid forties some guys may want to try swinging some light sink tips to help the fish not have to travel so far to take a fly.  With that said we have caught fish on a dry line with water temps in the upper thirties, so don’t get any ideas that dry line season may be nearing its end.  If swinging a dry line is your style then stick to it because you may be rewarded with the fish of a lifetime!

Its time

The Clearwater has dropped into its traditional low fall flows.  Currently Steelhead are going gang buster over Lower Granite dam!  I really don't know what could be better.  Its time to grab the spey rods, tie on a hairwing, wade in and enjoy!  This time of year is special have fun.

STEELHEAD TIME

After months of waiting and longingly staring at the Clearwater has paid off as the mighty steelhead has once again returned to its natal waters.  Steelhead are gracing us with their presence as we speak in the cold clear flows of the Lower Clearwater.  As you can tell I am more than a little excited.  This is my favorite time of year!!  Nothing beats swinging up a silver bullet with the spey rod!

The Clearwater is predicted to receive another good return, not as big as last year, but there will soon be plenty of large B- Run steelhead present for us to chaise.  Currently the lower river is starting to accumulate a decent number of the smaller A run fish that make up the beginning of the run.  I don't care weather they are A runs of B runs steelhead are fricken sweet. 

More springer porn!!!

Enjoying the Springers!

Spring Chinook season is one of my favorite times of the year.  What more is there not to love about hard pulling chrome bright springers?  Great fun and even better eating!  Here are a few picks for enjoyment

SPRINGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its on!! Not much else to say!