PAST CLEARWATER RIVER FISHING REPORTS 2024
January 17, 2024
Spey: While the water has finally started to drop from the melt and the rain, it remains high on our steelhead rivers. In addition to high water and fast flows, the water is colored up. Bust out the T14 and heavy intruders. Blacks, dark purple and dark blue are good color options or a combo of each. It’s time to dredge. If you are nymphing it will likely require plenty of split shot to get your flies in the zone.
Swing: For those running Skagit heads consider having T8 and T11 on hand. It’s nice to have straight T8 and T11 (T14 on occasion) ready but at times it’s necessary to have options such as 2.5ft T8 or T11 with 7.5ft of float or vice versa. Having a tip that includes a floating portion is particularly helpful on the Clearwater and the Grande Ronde. If you are a Scandi fan, have a few weighted polyleaders ready. Having options ranging from Clear Intermediate to Extra Super-Fast Sinking (see Airflo Polyleaders) is great. No matter what head, sink tip or polyleader you choose, make sure to shorten the length of your leader. Remember the intention is to sink flies here, if you have long sections of mono or fluoro it’s difficult for the sink tip to do its job (even with weighted flies).
Nymph: For those fishing under an indicator make, sure you have a larger sized bobber. I prefer either the 1” Air Lock or the 1” Oros. Also, if you fish a nymph rig you might as well run two flies. A good nymph formula includes a heavier point fly (in most cases) and a lighter dropper. For example, a Hot DB Stone #4 with a #8 Steelhead Lightning Bug below. You can run your point fly from a tag end attached to your main leader, off the standing end of your leader, or you can run both flies eye to eye.
No matter how you rig up, don’t be afraid to change out flies or your connections. At times you may need to run split shot above your point fly, between your point fly and your dropper, or both. You may also need to run a lighter point fly if you fish a particularly calm and shallow run.
Location: Salmon River
4,940cfs at White Bird
Swung Flies: Deuce Wigalo, Mini Extractor, TFP Intruder, Tail Dragger, Hoh Bo Spey, Steelhead Coachman, Freight Train, Silver Hilton
Location: Snake River
26,600cfs at Anatone
Swung Flies: Lady Gaga, Dirty Hoh, Aqua Scandi, TFP Intruder, Hoh Bo Spey, General Practitioner, Undertaker, Copper Top, Prawn Jovi
Nymphs: MFC DB Stone #4 & #6, Steelhead Lightning Bug, Chewy Egg
Location: Clearwater River
9,330cfs at Spalding
Swung Flies: Hoh Bo Spey, Two Salt Tube, Foxee Dog, Chou’s Fortune Cookie, Pick’Yer Pocket, TFP Clearwater Intruder, Purple Peril, December Day, Undertaker, Green Butt Skunk
Nymphs: Surreal Steelhead Egg, Vogt’s Hulk, Vogt’s Gentleman, Atomic Stone, Chewy Egg
Location: Grande Ronde
4,260cfs at Troy
Swung Flies: Hoh Bo Spey, Marabou Tube, TFP Intruder, Mini Dirty Hoh, Last Call, Grande Rhonde River Rat, Mack’s Canyon, Undertaker, Polar Shrimp, Prawn Jovi
Nymphs: MFC Hot DB Stone, Steelhead Lightning Bug, Lingerie Egg, Surreal Steelhead Egg, Vogt’s Hulk, Vogt’s Gentleman