Anglers hare starting to have some early steelhead fun on the lower Clearwater River.

This area due to the thermal differences between the Snake River's warmer water and the cooler Clearwater flows creates a haven for the cool water loving steelhead.

Most of these fish are upper Snake River and Grande Ronde River bound fish that move into the lower portion of the Clearwater until the water temps start to equilize. Fish size tends to be in the 4 to 8 pound class. These are bright beautiful fish that are full of fight and will aggressivily take plugs, spinners and if you manage to get a fly in front of them are very willing.

8/9/2007

Anglers are starting to have some early steelhead fun on the lower Clearwater River from its confluence with the Snake River upstream 3 to 5 miles.

This area is a haven for the cool water loving steelhead, due to the thermal differences between the Snake River's warmer water and the cooler Clearwater.

Most of these fish are upper Snake River and Grande Ronde River bound fish that move into the lower portion of the Clearwater until the water temps start to equalize. Fish size tends to be in the 4 to 8 pound class. These are bright beautiful fish that are full of fight and will aggressively take plugs, spinners and if you manage to get a fly in front of them are very willing participants.

The numbers of fish will continue to increase as new fish are coming through the dams on a daily basis.

This early fishery will be replaced as the larger b-run steelhead the Clearwater is famous for begin showing up in numbers by mid to late September. October will see continuing numbers of the 8 to 18 pound fish and the fishery grows until the water cools to settle them in for the winter.

By that time the Snake River fish have moved up river into their wintering areas in the upper Snake, Salmon River and the Grande Ronde.

All these inland rivers have world class winter steelhead fishing through the winter and into the early spring months.

Fish Species: Steelhead
Bait Used: spinners, roe
Tackle Used: 8 foot drift rods, Rainshadow
Method Used: drifting roe- spinner fishing
Water Depth:
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Wind Direction:
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Typical early steelhead From the Clearwater River
Typical early steelhead From the Clearwater River


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About The Author: Captain Pat Long

Company: Snake River Guide Service

Area Reporting: Mid Snake River/Clearwater River

Bio: I'm an avid fisherman who enjoys having our guests have an enjoyable and successful day on the water. I have lived and worked in the Lewis Clark valley my entire life and have fished the waters for over 40 years. I've work hard to create a guide service is known for the highest quality guides available. Only the most skilled, people orientated guides find a place in my business.

509-751-0410
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Pat Long