The main stem of the Clearwater (river section 03) had the most effort around Orofino this past week. Boat anglers were having success side drifting eggs or yarn. Shore anglers were using jigs with shrimp. Most of the anglers fishing in this area were fishing around the Hatchery and Pink House. The area around Lenore (below Orofino) was probably the next most popular area to fish on the main stem. The river was running clear with a temperature in the mid 40’s.
Most of the effort on the Middle Fork of the Clearwater (river section 04) was from Orofino Bridge to Kamiah. Anglers had the best success pulling plugs or drifting bait.
The North Fork (river section 05) had anglers fishing mainly at the bridge, above the power line hole, and at the wall. Anglers threw everything they had at the fish but many of the anglers reported the fish just were not interested. Anglers who were successful were using beads or eggs.
The Salmon River had the most effort on river section 12. The river was reported to be running clear with temperatures in the lower 40’s.
The Snake River had poor catch rates this week with most anglers fishing around or above Heller Bar (river section 01) and then at the Hells Canyon Dam tailrace (river section 02). Salmon fishing on river section 02 was not much better.
Overall catch rates were slow this past week only river section 04 on the Clearwater and river section 20 on the Salmon were under 10 hours a fish. These sections also had some of the lowest effort. Check Harvest Reports for more details. - Jaime Robertson, Clearwater Region, Senior Fisheries Technician