Fishing Forum

I was talking to 2 different people recently and what they told me me:

#1: The clearwater from memorial bridge up to Orofino is open to catch and release fishing isn't it? Guys at CCH acted like I wasn't supposed to go fishing up there. If I am understanding it all correctly you can fish just have to practice C&R correct?

#2: Someone told me you couldn't have 2 hooks in the water for steelhead fishing. I was talking about running an egg dropper under a jig and someone told me that I was not allowed to do that?

Anyone help? Last I saw I could do both.
[signature]

I'm not really an expert, but from what I can see you are correct. Regs show all sections of the Clearwater become catch and release in July and then sections differ as to when you can start keeping them. I don't see anything to contradict that on the F&G web site.

For the second point, the regs say "Only single-pointed barbless hooks are allowed when fishing for steelhead in the South Fork Clearwater River" which might be what they are thinking, but that specifies south fork and doesn't say only one hook. From the website they say:

Q: How many single barbless hooks can you fish with on your line while fishing for Salmon or Steelhead?

A: You can use up to 5 barbless hooks per line while fishing for salmon or steelhead. That probably won't work in the Little Salmon River for Chinook fishing but you might be able to utilize extra hooks while trolling for steelhead.

source: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/qu...shing-regs
[signature]

Nearly all the guides use a kicker hook when they side fish roe and most 90 percent use a #2 with a #4 trailor when fishing schrimp on the Clearwater with bobbers. Fishing is open and was two hours a fish above memorial bridge a week ago. did not check last weeks report. You are right those people are nuts.
[signature]

You're good for both. Sounds like the people you talked to have slack jaw.
[signature]

Ok Thanks all! Just wanted to double check. No stinky old fish is worth a ticket.
[signature]