I have received a couple of emails in regards to a resent post about Steelhead fishing on the Clearwater River in Idaho. They seemed to be intimidated by the size of river and were asking for more information on just where they should fish.

For those who are new to the sport I can see why they may be confused as it is quite a large river and if you are not use to reading Steelhead water it will be intimidating. So for those wanting to know where to fish let me give you some ideas.

If you want to try fly fishing the section just above and below the US Highway 95 Bridge has produce well for me in the past. If you are going to be wading be aware that the water level can change suddenly as there are two hydro dams up steam, keep this in mind when wading.

Should you want to try some drift fishing I can think of three spots that produce Steelhead regularly.

1. Drive to the Dworshak Dam just West of Orofino There is a good hole about 300 to 400 yards below the Dam.

2. Cross the bridge at Ahsahka and take the first Left hand turn off and follow the road down to river.

3. About 1.5 miles west of Orofino on state highway 12 there is another good hole for drift fishing. Well I should say float fishing as this is the way most of the fisherman fish this hole however you can drift it just use as light of weight as possible.

These four spots should get you stared if you pay attention to the water conditions and drifts you should then be able to find some more of your own Steelhead holes.
Good Luck!
 

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Well with February almost gone and the days getting longer and warmer the steelhead have started to move up the Little Salmon River, here in Idaho. This has been a much awaited annual event for those of use here in Central Idaho for two reasons.

1^st we can now enjoy getting back on the river as the ice has started to leave the river is rising and the steelhead have begun their final stage of their migration. For those of us who fish this river we know that the next month and a half will provide for some of the most exciting steelhead fishing in the state.

For several years now many of us have had days where we have hooked into 20 to 30 fish a day. One day last year a buddy of mine and I were fishing below Boulder Creek and we each hooked over 40 fish it was the first time I actually got tired from catching fish not that it made me stop I just started getting tired. This is the time of year where a slow day is when you only hook into 5 or 6 fish as a steelhead fisherman it seems odd to say that hooking 5 or 6 is a slow day but for the last few years it is the way things have worked out.

2^nd and most importantly is you can now fish without spending all your time fighting the elements. If you have been following my most you will remember a post about a month ago where most of my day was fighting the weather snow wind and ice. Those days for the most part will now be behind us for another year and or time is now spent looking for that perfect drift and not so much on a place where we can actually get to the river.

If you have never fished the little Salmon River for Steeelhead or may be you have never even fished for Steelhead I highly recommend that you give it a try. For the next couple of weeks the lower sections of the river will be very productive. When I say the lower section I’m talking about the section of River from Pollock to Riggins. Then in about two weeks you will want to concentrate your efforts on the section from Pollock to just above Pinehurst, and then you can start fishing the remainder of the river.

If you are not from the area there are a number of places you can stay at Pinehurst does have some small cabins they rent out on a daily or weekly basis and just above Pollock there is a new RV Park which sits just off of US 95 you won’t miss it as long as you are looking for it. You can stay at a very nice spot in Riggins if you prefer The Salmon River Lodge has some of the finest accommodations you can find, they even have an indoor pool show you soak and relax after a hard day on the River.

If you ever thought about giving steelhead fishing a try now is the time. So load up your Rod and Reel put on some fresh line and I will probably see you some where on the River maybe we can trade a few fish stories while were there?

Good luck and Good fishing!!!
BY: RR Smith 
  Check out the lates Steelhead Fishing report at Steelhead Gear.Com

The Clearwater starts its journey to the Snake River in the back country of the Bitter Root Mountains that form the border between Montana and Idaho and winds its way through some of Idaho’s most beautiful landscape until it reaches the Snake River in Lewiston.

Take highway 12 as you leave south of Lewiston and you will follow one of the most pristine rivers in the state as it works its way east.  There is a number of public access points along the way many have boat launches picnic and camping areas. As you dive along this beautiful river you will be able to see an abundance of wild life turkeys, deer, and elk abound along the entire stretch of the river.

My Main passion for this river however remain with its exceptional fishery Steelhead can be found and caught from September through April, in April you start to see some of the first Chinook as they make their way upstream and they usually have fishing for these great fish  until the end of June as well.  From June to September you can enjoy some of the best Cutthroat Trout fishing imaginable any where in the United States.

 If you want to have the Fishing experience of a lifetime while enjoying some spectacular scenery you should really consider a trip along the beautiful Clearwater River here in Idaho.By: RR Smith

Steelhead Gear.Com