Northwest Reel Life Jan-Feb 2024 Volume 4 Issue 4 - Flipbook - Page 36
CLEARWATER RIVER, ID
Steelhead Mecca
Arguably the most
consistent steelhead fishing
in the region and your best
shot at steelhead retention
(catch and keep), the
Clearwater River’s retention
steelhead season runs from
early October to mid-April,
with prime time being
October through January.
You can be at this steelhead
promised land in just under
6 hours from Seattle.
The river draws steelhead
enthusiasts from around
the northwest, offering
outstanding opportunities
for catch-and-release
fishing, fly fishing, shore
fishing, and of course drift
boats and power boats. The
Clearwater’s “B-run” may be
the best bet in the region
for a trophy 20-pounder,
and B-run fish typically
average 12-14 pounds. Many
of the fish originate at the
Dworshak National Fish
Hatchery managed by the
Nez Perce tribe of Idaho,
located at the confluence
of the North Fork and
mainstem Clearwater,
about 3 miles west of
Orofino, Idaho.
While the epic steelhead
fishing and amazing
stretches of highly fishable
water make this a 5-star
NOW BOOKING
CLEARWATER & SNAKE RIVER
STEELHEAD
Enter to WIN a
FISHING TRIP for 2
2 0 8 .7 9 0 . 2 1 2 8
R E E LT I M E F I S H I N G .C O M
fishing destination, the
Clearwater is not a onetrick pony. The Dworshak
hatchery bolsters catch
and keep chances for King
and Coho salmon with
sustainable fish production
goals. Coho were declared
extinct in the river in 1986,
but this year there was an
overlapping sport season
for Coho, Kings, and
Steelhead! These October
days are prime time and
can be some of the most
amazing, quality, days
of an angler’s life. With
returning Coho averaging
8-12 pounds, 10 to 20
pounds plus Chinook, and
those amazing B-runs in
the river at the same time,
