Clearwater Fly Fishing Spey Clave
By Dylan McGregor
It may be difficult to pull yourself away from the elk grounds or the upland bird slopes this weekend, but there’s a very good reason why you might do just that.
This Saturday and Sunday the 13th annual Clearwater Spey Clave takes place at its accustomed site—the Lenore rest stop along Highway 12 (at mile marker 27.75) just north of our North 40 shop in Lewiston, Idaho. Put on by the Red Shed, this clave draws some of the most dedicated and talented steelhead anglers and speycasters on the planet. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of catching a steelhead on a spey rod, or you just want to mix and mingle with like-minded anglers, this is the place to be.
The gathering actually gets started Friday night with the showing of Our Two Hands, a film about salmon and steelhead made by Bloodknots Media of Salt Lake City, Utah. You can check out the show at the Peck Community Hall at 6 p.m. There’s not cost to attend the show (nor the spey clave for that matter), but a donation jar will be calling.
On Saturday, a host of manufacture reps and spey gurus will be on-hand to demonstrate, coach and loan out equipment which, of course, you can try right there on the Clearwater, always with a chance of hooking up. Taking advantage of an opportunity like this can help you develop new friendships as well as getting new pointers that can help you catch fish. You are also supporting the industry and the fish we love dearly.
On Sunday, the distance casting contest known as the Redneck O Rama begins at 9 a.m. There will be six casting categories. Men’s, Women’s, Newbie, Youth (up to 15 years), Peewee, and Unlimited Big Dogs.
Bonus: Mrs Red Shed will, once again, be donating cookies and other food, including burgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad, and beans is in the mix, courtesy of local guides and outfitters.
Double bonus: Reps will provide dozens of prizes to be raffled off. Here’s a list of participants:
- Red Shed Fly Shop- Gaelforce Lines, Poppy Cane
- Tracy Allen- On The Clearwater Guide Service & R.B. Meiser Fly Rods
- Zack Williams- Swing The Fly & Clearwater Steelhead Syndicate
- Joe & Doelores Saracione- Saracione Reels
- Ben Paull- Olympic Penisula Skagit Tactics
- Brandon Prince- Echo, Airflo, Clutch Rods, Hatch Reels
- Justin Waayenberg- Adipose Boatworks
- Montana Fishing Merchants- Hardy, Hodgman, Fenwick
- Nick English- Simms
- Shane Wooton- Loop Tackle
- Matt Curci- Temple Fork Outfitters
- Tyler Kushnir- CND Rods
- Lee Davison- Ballistic Spey Lines
- Gene Oswald- Bruce & Walker
- Kerry Burkheimer- Burkheimer Rods
- Hart Montgomery- Winston, St. Croix, Scientific Angler, Ross, Montana Fly Company, Outcast
I know, we all treasure our time on the water, whether you’re swinging them up on the Ronde, the Snake or the Clearwater, but please take some time away from fishing to support this event—it is put on by great people who care a lot about our fish and make a living from these their well being. Questions? Call us at the North 40 shop: 208-746-1368.