They have releeased water from Dworshak Dam and the water levels are starting to drop. There are reports of chrome hatchery fish showing up which should indicate the main wave of hatchery steelhead are making there way up the Clearwater and will start stacking up below Orofino. This is in addition to the natives and hatchery fish that are already in the river. Traditionally this is the best time for winter fishing on the Clearwater.

I caught 2 steelhead on the Clearwater today. I stayed low on the river to avoid the crowds by Orofino.

Nice fish!! Sure was a great weekend weather wise. I hope it stays this way for another week so over the long weekend we will have some fish bonkin' weather

That's a real beauty.

Is that a nate?

One was a nate and one was a hatchery

Have you fished the Clearwater Double D?

Why ya ask? Inviting to show me around I hope

I have never fished the CW. My college idiots (er..buddies) and I talked about the big metalheads, but we never did get up there. We beat the crap of of the GR instead

I'd love to find me one of those B-Runs!

sure, I will show you what I know. We just need to find a time when our paths will cross.

Hey count me in on a trip to the Clearwater I have never fished it as well and would love to get out there with someone who knows there way around out there.


Let me know when you guys intend to make a trip out there, I will make sure and get the time off.

RAE

Dang, with this cold weather it is going to really slow down the bite. It is supposed to warm up the end of next week. It could be a really good couple of days once it warms back up.

clearwaterfun,

Nice fish!! Thanks for the update. The Clearwater has been my favorite river the last couple of years. I havn't been down since late November. How low in the river were you catching fish? Is Cherry Lane too low? What about Lenore? I may try to get down this Monday. The little warm up should get them biting good again. I like to freedrift eggs from the boat, occasionally I'll use jig and bobber.

Take care, Fish On!!

Driftfish

I have talked to a lot of people that have been doing well at Lenore about a week ago. Most people are going up to Peck or Pink House though. I too drift eggs and I don't want someone dragging a plug around where I am fishing so I try to avoid areas with a lot of people. I think there is fish all through out the river so I just choose an area where I can fish how I want. With this cold you probably want to find the deepest water. Where do you usually fish on the Clearwater?

I like to launch at cherry lane. I feel comfortable running the jet 2 or 3 miles each direction, even when the water is low. I've fished it enough that I feel comfortable fishing 10 or 12 different holes. I don't seem to have to deal with near the people in this area either. I seldom get down to fish this late in the year and was curious if there really was a lot higher concentration of fish near the hatchery at Dworshak this late in the year. I imagine the chance of getting a brighter fish is better lower on the river as well.

Driftfish

Talking to the fishery people there are more fish up around the hatchery. Sounds like you are on the right track. You are always more effective fishing water you know. So unless you're going to take the time to learn a new area you will probably catch more fish in a place you already know. The water is back down. I am going to the coast this weekend but I will be back out on the Clearwater next weekend. When are you going?