Lewiston Idaho Fishing Report 12.15.17

Clearwater River

We fished the Clearwater Tuesday and had no sniffs. It’s currently running at 9,070 cubic feet a second. I have no idea how to catch fish at this current rate of water and if you aren’t schooled in high-water tactics this river may not be worth your time until it drops. Realize, many guides cancel trips when the water is up, as the fish are just much more difficult to come by. So, if you want good conditions my suggestion is to wait.

Clearwater River [UPDATED]  3 p.m. 12/15/17

The Army Corp of Engineers has shut the water off at Dworshak Dam near Orofino. I have been watching the river gauge and flows have dropped 3,000 CFS in the last three hours to a current rate of 6,190 cfs. The water temperature has dropped as well to 39 degrees. This dramatic drop should shut the fishing off. The fish are going to be very confused due to the shock of the river dropping so rapidly. But, once things stabilize and the fish feel comfortable in their new areas, the fishing could perk. In the short term, your best bet will be to focus your time on the Snake River. But keep an eye on the Clearwater as it stabilizes.

Grande Ronde River

ICE. I have been told that there is a lot of ice on the Ronde right now. It has been breaking up on the warmer days, but with the nights being cold, new ice is developing in its place. Current CFS is 1,380 at Troy, Oregon.

Snake River

High water yet again coming down the Snake. The Current CFS is 26,600. You can still catch fish in these high water times. Fishing tips will work and bigger Intruders seem to bring fish for anglers in these times. Finding the slower runs and fishing that water gives you a chance. There are fish throughout the entire system right now. Be careful while you’re out there wading.

Read past reports from the Lewiston region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.

Bonus Fishing Report: Olympic Peninsula (WA)

Forks area river levels are currently good to low, according to area resident and guide Matt McCullough. The primary hatchery steelhead returns in Forks are alive and well with the Bogachiel and Calawah rivers remaining the strongholds for these 3-to 9-pound fish. On the “Bogey” there is ample fly water (and ample anglers) starting from the “Hatchery Drift” down to the Leyendecker Boat Ramp and back up to the confluence with the Calawah.

In case you’re wondering, the famous Sol Duc broodstock hatchery program was shelved about four years back. So, for those interested in that historic Forks area river, you’ll have to target catch-and-release options on native steelhead season coming up in late winter and spring.

Right now, after a week or more of dry weather, the Bogey gauge reads 26.5 feet and is still dropping slowly. This translates to a flow reading of 515 cubic feet a second on the nearby Calawah. Conventional OP wisdom holds that a Bogey reading of 28 feet and down is optimal fishing for both gear and fly alike.

Currently, up to three hatchery steelhead may be retained on the Bogey and the Calawah. Fly colors that work on these hatchery fish are purples, blacks and pinks, or combinations thereof. Guide McCullough is a fan of tube flies, which allows blunted or broken hooks to be swapped out while fishing these bouldery, rugged streams. I personally have witnessed these fish scarfing #2 black Egg-Sucking Leeches, dead drifted under indicators, by fly bankies fishing from the high bank side.

For more info on fishing these streams, especially during the upcoming catch-and-release season, don’t hesitate to lookup McCullough at http://www.tyeecharters.net/olympic-peninsula-steelhead.html If you’d like advice on putting together a steelhead outfit for the OP, contact the staff at the Omak shop at 509-422-9840. We’d be glad to help.

Here’s wishing you some Christmas Chrome,

Steph Avena, North40 Fly Shop, Omak, Washington