I am interested in fishing the Clearwater and have a few questions. First I am very unfamiliar with the are and have no idea where to go. I see people talk about the North Fork, South Fork, and Main Stem, but don't know which would best suit a bank fisherman. I have a buddy who lived up there for a few years and says the South Fork is good for fly fishing, but not so good for spin fisherman. Also hear that the Main Stem might be too big to effectively fish from the bank. Never really hear too much about the North Fork, except what I just read on Chrome Junky's thread. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and PM's are fine too.
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Here are my thoughts after spending a great deal of time on all the aforementioned rivers. As the season progresses the N. Fork fish are the first to get really nasty, sure you can find some in decent shape but for the most part they turn fast. However the N. Fork is a great river for bankies and boats are somewhat frowned upon at certain times in there. Once the fish get into the southfork its an absolute cluster. Back in the good old days before everyone and their brother started fishing there it wasnt bad but now you have a TON of Idaho and montana guys fishing there so once the fish get in and word gets out expect company. Gear fishermen do fine in here but you will have to contend with a TON of "flyfishermen." Bankies do well on the main and theres quite a few spots that the bankies seem to congregate in. However thats not to say with a little scouting around you cant find your own spots that produce. PM me if you would like some more specific info and I'll see if I can get you pointed in the right direction.
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How does the middle fork do. I've driven up that in feb and it doesn't seem like as many people were there compared to the rest of the river
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I'll go ahead and share some of my new-found info: it's probably because there isn't any steelhead fishing allowed on the MF above Clear Creek (which is about 2.5-3 miles above the SF/MF confluence in Kooskia). Clear Creek is the furthest upstream tributary/release site on the MF that has adipose-clipped steelhead.
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The attached photo is a 36" steelhead I caught on the NF last week. I always enjoy it up there but you do have to deal with a lot of other fishermen. Some are a real pleasure to fish with, others, not so much. Expect the fish to be a bit finicky though! Don't mean to discourage you. As I said, I always enjoy it up there!
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Very nice! That's the exact size of the one I caught 7 yrs ago....the only fish I caught in two days...[:/]
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Yeah, I understand slow fishing, but would be pretty happy with one big fish over a two or three day period. Last trip I went on was two days in Salmon, and I only managed one good sized fish. Needless to say I was still pretty happy. Hopefully if I get up to the Clearwater I can get more than one, but hope it is big if I only get one.
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I don't know if you remember but you hooked one and lost him last spring when you fished with our group one afternoon. You looked like you were having fun and thats what its about. I think I have a pic of you some place on one of my discs I'll have to find it
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I remember you and your group of friends. Fishing with you guys was one of the most memorable times I have had while fishing. You guys were generous and laid back for sure. I would love to run into you guys again sometime.
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