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CLEARWATER & SNAKE RIVER FISHING REPORT
April 10, 2025
Events:
Fly Fishing 101 in Lewiston starting this Saturday at 10am!
This (and every) Saturday at 10 a.m., sit in on a PowerPoint in the Lewiston fly shop. Ask questions, take notes, and find the specific products you need for your fishery. It’s always free and we always encourage you to bring a friend. These classes generally run about 1.5 hours. Can’t make it on Saturday(s)? No problem! Call us at 208-746-1368 and ask for the fly shop to schedule a day and time that works for you. Appointments are also free and are first come/first served, based on staff availability. So, call early.
Week overview:
More of the same, slightly warmer.
As we head into the weekend and into next week we will see highs ranging from the low 60s to the low 70s. It will be mostly cloudy through the week and we could see some additional moisture roll through. This means the flows are likely to go up and down from day to day with muddy water throughout. If you’re headed to the mountains for trout, bring plenty of nymphs and have some BWO’s, March Browns and some caddis ready just in case. If it’s bass and carp you’re after, pump the brakes on carp for a bit as we wait for flows to mellow out. Bass on the other hand is good to go. As advised in the last few weeks, you’ll need to bust out heavy sink tips with short leader and black leeches, Changers, sculpins and other baitfish patterns. For the most part, any color will work as long as it’s black. Have a few different sizes of each pattern at the ready in the event that smallmouth get picky on a certain profile or size.
Warmwater and Trout Overview:
Warmwater is shaping up! Pre-spawn smallmouth are out and ready to be fed a fly. While there were a few carp sighted on the banks and on some flats last week, these fish are still very spooky and scarce. Stop in and check out our selection of new streamers, carp bugs, and 6-8 weight rods and lines for both species. If you have yet to chase these fish on a fly
rod, this is the year to commit to some of the most fun and exciting freshwater fishing there is.
Trout fishing is likely to slow down a bit as we get some increased flows. If you are planning to head out for trout have some heavy nymphs, skwalas, and a handful of BWO’s ready just in case.
Current overview on steelhead and the season ahead:
We are in that nasty transition my friends. The time of year when winter rolls into spring. As a result, we are experiencing high and muddy water from recent rain and melt. If you are after steelhead, your window is growing shorter each day. Check out the tips I have below for both swing and nymph setups on our local rivers.
Bass and Carp
Snake:
50,100cfs at Anatone
Dali Lama, Chocklett’s Game Changers, Mason’s Heavy Hitter, Mop Tail Changers, Lynch’s Drunk n Disorderly, Popovic’s Hollow Deceiver, Galloup’s Belly Bumper, Ehler’s Jig Pig, Ehlers Foamtail Superworm
Grande Ronde:
7,140cfs at Troy
Dali Lama, Chocklett’s Game Changers, Mason’s Heavy Hitter, Mop Tail Changers, Lynch’s Drunk n Disorderly, Popovic’s Hollow Deceiver, Galloup’s Belly Bumper, Ehler’s Jig Pig, Ehlers Foamtail Superworm
Trout
Lochsa:
4.250cfs at Lowell
Goodman’s Crowd Surfer Skwala, Antonio’s BWO, 401K Baetis, Hi-Vis BWO Spinner, 307 Nymph, Patt’s Rubber Leg, Atomic Stone, Euro Trash, San Juan Worm, Tungsten Terminator Stone, Rainbow Warrior, Perdigon, Keller’s Peach Fuzz
Selway:
6,030cfs at NR Lowell
Goodman’s Crowd Surfer Skwala, Antonio’s BWO, 401K Baetis, Hi-Vis BWO Spinner, 307 Nymph, Patt’s Rubber Leg, Atomic Stone, Euro Trash, San Juan Worm, Tungsten Terminator Stone, Rainbow Warrior, Perdigon, Keller’s Peach Fuzz
St. Joe:
4,240cfs at Calder
Goodman’s Crowd Surfer Skwala, Antonio’s BWO, 401K Baetis, Hi-Vis BWO Spinner, 307 Nymph, Patt’s Rubber Leg, Atomic Stone, Euro Trash, San Juan Worm, Tungsten Terminator Stone, Rainbow Warrior, Perdigon, Keller’s Peach Fuzz
North Fork of the Clearwater:
10,100cfs at Canyon Ranger Station
Goodman’s Crowd Surfer Skwala, Antonio’s BWO, 401K Baetis, Hi-Vis BWO Spinner, 307 Nymph, Patt’s Rubber Leg, Atomic Stone, Euro Trash, San Juan Worm, Tungsten Terminator Stone, Rainbow Warrior, Perdigon, Keller’s Peach Fuzz
Question of The Day
"What flies work for carp?”
It is, of course, going to depend on your fishery, what the water is like where you are fishing, and the forage. Some patterns that are universally “good Carp flies” include:
John “Montana” Bartlett’s Hybrid Carp Fly
Daryl Eakins Detroit Mop City
Andrew Grillo’s Great Carpholio
Jay Zimmerman’s Ballpeen Craw
John “Montana” Bartlett’s Carp Craw
Secret Menu Bonus Flies:
Daryl Eakins ‘Hipster Dufus
Daryl Eakins’ HVRT
Brad Befus’ Carp Candy m size 10-8.
SPOKANE RIVER FLOW DATA
CLEARWATER WEATHER FORECAST
What water temperature should I be looking for when pursuing pre-spawn smallmouth?