Lewiston, Idaho Fishing Report 08.29.19
With everyone going back to school, rivers should be nice and quiet. Not much has changed from last week for our trout rivers. The weather is still calling for temperatures in the 80s and 90s and no rain in the forecast. So, rivers are going to be low and warm. Terrestrials are still going to be out and producing great fish. The Snake and Ronde are in good shape and producing great bass.
Current Conditions
Lochsa River near Lowell, ID - The river flow is at 434 cfs, so the river is low. Reports haven’t changed much from last week. The river has been fishing great higher up. Hoppers are out in full swing, but parachute Adams and purple hazes are still producing. Any of the terrestrial’s, ants, beetles, and hoppers are the go-to right now. Similar to last week, you will want to get to the river early and take a break when the heat moves in. Then get back to it in the evening. Focus on big structures and riffles where fish will be holding.
NF Clearwater River near Canyon Ranger Station, ID - With flows at 773 cfs, this river is low and warm. Fishing has been reported that it's still great. Like the Lochsa, terrestrials will be your best bet, hoppers, and ants are still catching nice cutties. Focus on oxygenated riffles and large structures. If you are wanting to focus on dries, I had the best luck on a purple haze and parachute Adams. Early morning and late evening will be the best fishing. During the afternoon, go out and explore some trails or take a swim.
Grande Ronde River at Troy, OR - Flows her are at 561 cfs. It’s been great bass fishing all day! Same as last week, focus on deep pools or any rock, log structures that produce bigger fish. Start the day early hitting topwater poppers. Towards 10 o’clock, warm weather will push the bass down so change it up with some streamers. Olive has been my go-to streamer and orange poppers are the ticket. Also swinging streamers has shown to be effective this week. With the Ronde being a short drive away, it’s a must-try for bass!
Snake River near Anatone, WA - With flows at 16,100 cfs, the Snake has cleared up. Bass are still being caught right in our backyard! Early morning and late evenings have been producing incredible bass fishing. Focus on topwater in the morning with orange poppers. When the heat pushes the bass deep, switch to baitfish or crayfish patterns and let them sink, then start stripping. Try changing the stripping speed and see what works. Olive and brown have been my streamers of choice.
Clearwater River at Spalding, ID - The flows are at 10,400 cfs. There has been milder weather here recently in late August. Still, early morning to noon and last light are still the go-to hours to swing a fly. Focus on the lower river. If you have any access to a boat, go for a float from Upper Hog into town and enjoy a day on the river at best! Floating lines and neutral flies may bring a bright hen to hand… just swing it!
Match the Hatch
Like last week, on the NF of the Clearwater and the Lochsa you will want to use a parachute Adams, royal Wulff, purple haze flies. Terrestrials like the Morrish hopper, ant and beetle patterns are the ticket right now. On the Grande Ronde and Snake Rivers, you will want to use olive baitfish or crayfish patterns. For poppers, orange is my go-to color, but I've also had good luck on olive. On the Clearwater River for steelhead, small natural patterns are still the ticket. The Steelhead coachman, lady Carolyn, and green butt skunk are some of our go-to flies.
Need to fill the box before you go? Order flies online here.
Tips & Techniques
For our trout rivers, focus on oxygenated riffles and deep pools. With the weather still being hot, early mornings and evenings are key. Hit the topwater in the morning with your favorite dry fly or hopper. When fishing hoppers, I like to make them twitch a bit to seem alive. When bass fishing you will want to start the morning on topwater with poppers. Then in the afternoon switch it to some streamers and fish deep. Focus on slack water and rocky banks. Steelhead fishing you will want to stick with a Scandi line with a poly leader and fish with confidence. Small and simple flies are the key right now. Tight Lines!
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. UPCOMING: We will also be starting our fly tying classes this fall!
See past reports from the Lewiston region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.