Lewiston, Idaho Fishing Report 08.08.19
Current Conditions
It is HOT! Weather has been in the 100’s as of lately. The bass fishing on the Snake and Grande Ronde have been amazing. I also heard the Clearwater above Orofino has been fishing great for Bass. As for our Trout Rivers, they seem to be fishing great in the early morning when temps are lower. Best thing to do in the afternoon is to give the fish a break and have lunch. Then get back to it in the evening.
Lochsa River near Lowell, ID - The Lochsa flows at 540 its perfect for wet wadding. Fishing has been good early in the morning to late evening. You will want to focus on Deep pockets of water or riffles. Stimulators and Parachute Adams are our go-to fly right now. Also, Terrestrials are out Hoppers, Ants, and Beetle patterns.
NF Clearwater River near Canyon Ranger Station, ID - Fishing has been great here folks! With the flows at 896 and the weather on the hot side. Hoppers are in full swing. The Morrish Hopper is my go to hopper on the NF. Focus on riffles and deep eddies with big structures and shade were the fish will be holding. When the temp heats up try nymphing deep or switching it up to streamers. I have also had reports that swinging soft hackles have also been producing.
Grande Ronde River at Troy, OR - Flows at 669 river is low and fishing great for bass. Early morning top water orange poppers, stimulators. In the afternoon make a trip to Boggans Oasis and have a burger and shake. When the evening comes try swinging streamers, white with pink have been really producing some big ol bass. If its trout your searching for you will have to go higher into the Oregon side.
Snake River near Anatone, WA - Bass fishing here has been amazing! With flows at 19700. Our fly shop guy Caden floated from Asotin down and said he was killing it on orange poppers. But people have been reporting they are catching them on streamers as well. The best would be bait fish patterns, like smolt patterns. We got some great bass fishing right in town. Just get out there and have a blast!
Clearwater River at Spalding, ID - Flows are at 13900 and Steelhead are here folks! We are getting repots of them being caught in the confluence, while the temperature is still high and the steelhead are holding. Early morning to late evening time is best. Natural and small patterns. When it comes to bass, anything above Orofino has been great! Top water poppers and streamers have been really producing.
Match the Hatch
For the NF of the Clearwater and the Lochsa if dries are your go to try Purple Haze, Parachute Adams, Royal Wulff and Elk hair Caddis. Terrestrials are also in full swing Morrish Hopper, Ant, and Beetle patterns. For soft hackles try Hares ear, or copper. Black and olive Whoolybuggers and bait fish patterns for streamers. For the Snake and Grande Ronde Rivers orange Poppers and white streamers have been the go to. The Clearwater River for Steelhead small natural patterns are best like the Steelhead Coachman in a size 08. For bass above Orofino olive streamers and poppers have been great.
Tips & Techniques
On the NF clearwater and Locsha Focus on the Riffles were the water is more oxygenated, and deep pools. Start out with dries in the early morning and switching to nyphms or streamers to get deep. Then give the fish a break during the heat and have lunch or just kick back with family and enjoy the outdoors. For the Snake and Grande Ronde River start early fishing poppers and dries then going to bait fish streamers throughout the day.
Did you know...
We are doing a Free Fly Fishing 101 Class every Saturday at 10 A.M. for more information give us a call at the Lewiston North 40 Fly Shop (208)746-1368. If fishing the Grande Ronde River or heading to the Wallowa’s stop in at Anatone Café or Boggans Oasis, amazing food and service!
See past reports from the Lewiston region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.