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Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709

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Clearwater River Report
Nez Perce County, ID

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Details

02/18/2012
Fly Fishing
Steelhead
Other
Orange
Sinking Fly Line
Morning
02/22/2012
5
3007

Will finally made my first trip for steelhead this year. I been fishing this river (North Fork) for a couple years and boy is the river low this year. Lots of my old fishing hole were gone from the huge run off from last year. I fish from last Sat the 18-Mon. This by far was the hardest fishing trip yet there so I only came home with 5 over 33", all over 10 pounds. Fishing was pretty slow in the mornings due to the fact that it was super cold so the fishes weren't really moving up until mid noon. Honestly I think the steely were just coming up. The river was pretty clear so im assuming the fish could see you also. I fly fish for 2 days and bottom fish for 1 day. When I fly fished I used egg patterns and for bottom I drifted with roe and shrimp. Not a lot of fishermen as i thought there be. I'll probably be going back in mid march soo ill post another report soon. All around it was fun but honestly really had to work hard for them. GL fishing and be safe;) Enjoy the pics!


Comments

tnga
2/23/2012 4:34:00 PM
Nice fish.......and thanks for posting a report from the Clearwater River on the steelhead fishing. Good reports from this area are hard to find, which surprises me because there seems to be alot of fisherman in this area. Some of the local guides provide a fishing report but it tends to be generic and not updated very often. Good luck when you go down there in March, can't wait for the report!
Chengy87
2/23/2012 7:44:00 PM
Nice fish bro! I got to try steelhead fishin one of these days!
Elijah.Loves.Fishin
2/24/2012 12:05:00 AM
wow, gorgeous steelies! nice work!
fullybuilt2.0
2/24/2012 12:28:00 AM
@tnga: NP, I know how it feels trying to get a legit report before you head out wherever your planing to go fishing. FYI, I just found out that the river just blew other 5 feet up and got super murky from a buddy that lives in kooskai. I not sure if thats going to help out on the fishing or make it worse? Will have to see in mid March.

@Cheng87: Thanks, Honestly bro steelhead fishing is tough. Always trying to find the right patterns, bait, fishing whole ect. You really have to be a patient fishermen and go with someone that has experience with steely. Hard work pays off tho. Its the best feeling fighting and landing a true wild or hatchery steelhead. They are one of the toughest fighting fish. Especially when your fly fishing and the fish decides to take off down river and your walking the dog for atleast 300 yds. Im planing to go back in mid March and your always more then welcome to come. Just let me know;)
Augwen
2/24/2012 7:18:00 AM
Beautiful Steelies!!! Thanx for sharing.
narrows11
2/25/2012 2:30:00 PM
Are they really just starting to run?
fullybuilt2.0
2/26/2012 1:25:00 AM
@Elijah and Augwen: thanks...always glad to share me reposts;)

@Norrows11: Honestly I think so. This is the early B run. I fished this river in the past and it really depends on the river. This year the river was pretty low so the fish are having a tough time swimming up. I only spotted schools of 4-6 fishes the most when I was fishing. Usually if the water is higher I can see at least schools of 10 or more come up depending on the clearness of it too.. The weather plays a big part in the movement of the fishes also. Its been super cold (like 25° when I was fishing) over there so that slows the steelies down too. Mid March is ideally Prime Time for fishing. Warmer weather and high water is the prefect run for steelhead fishing on Clearwater but usually @the that time there's more fishermens then fishermen;)
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709