Fishing Idaho North Fork Clearwater River

[nighthawkf-117]

Hi everyone. Seeing as we don't have a fishing forums I'm posting this here. I'm heading to Idaho early September to chase bears. I'll be near the North Fork Clearwater River and plan to fish it and other smaller streams near it. I'm definitely not an expert fly fisherman but I can at least have fun. Anyone have any tactics for this time of year in this area? I have had good success just throwing streamers but I've never fished in Idaho or Montana before. Any tips appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Esteban]

My brother caught this big ol trout out of that river. Or maybe this was in Montana, I don't quite remember. Think he was using a Bunyan bug stone fly #2

 

[wowzers]

Hoppers should still be out then. Try running a hopper dropper setup. I have had a lot of luck with royal wulffs and orange simulators there too. Euro nymphing is really effective if you’re setup.

 

[Esteban]

Sorry I'm an ass. You will do well on any of those streams that time of year. If the dry fly action is good I often use foam type attractor flies on cutthroat streams because they hold up better. If your throwing streamers you might get into a bull trout. Don't overlook some of the smaller streams and if there's an option to hike away from the roads, as usual you can find some better fishing. Also some good smallmouth in Dworshak.

 

[DAOutfitters208]

Stimulators, caddis, streamers all work. River will be low, but there is still good fishing around. Check out Kelly Fork or Cayuse Creek if you have time.

 

[Pacific_Fork]

Stimulators, caddis, streamers all work. River will be low, but there is still good fishing around. Check out Kelly Fork or Cayuse Creek if you have time.

 

[JeffRaines]

View attachment 923671

Kelly ain’t no secret

 

[TheTone]

Nothing about that place is secret or sacred anymore. It’s such a shame what a redneck crap hole it has become.

 

[JeffRaines]

Nothing about that place is secret or sacred anymore. It’s such a shame what a redneck crap hole it has become.

We went up and checked out the aforementioned creeks a few years ago. Beautiful area. I was absolutely shocked at the amount of people up there. Holy hell you're like 50-60 miles from anything and damn near every camp site and pull out was full.

I knew it wasn't a secret before we left so I wasn't expecting to have the place to myself or anything, but damn...

ETA: This wasn't a holiday weekend or anything either... this was in the middle of July during the week.

 

[.204smokechaser]

I fish all the small tributaries this time of year as there’s too many people. It’s not fun battle fishing with all of Washington and the Montana transplants. Not too mention the people from Australia and Europe.

September ain't a bad time of year as the amount of people start to dwindle rapidly and it gets cooler. I hardly fish Kelly creek anymore except before high water to before hoodoo opens due to the madness. Late summer I switch to the holes not along the road on the upper north fork.

You might be able to catch the bull trout before they head up to spawn depending on your trip timing.

Small Mouth bass action on the lower end is still hot right now.

The river is super warm and super low right now.

 

[DAOutfitters208]

We went up and checked out the aforementioned creeks a few years ago. Beautiful area. I was absolutely shocked at the amount of people up there. Holy hell you're like 50-60 miles from anything and damn near every camp site and pull out was full.

I knew it wasn't a secret before we left so I wasn't expecting to have the place to myself or anything, but damn...

ETA: This wasn't a holiday weekend or anything either... this was in the middle of July during the week.

That’s my experience as well. Camping has become a competitive sport these days no
matter how far you drive.

 

[TheTone]

We went up and checked out the aforementioned creeks a few years ago. Beautiful area. I was absolutely shocked at the amount of people up there. Holy hell you're like 50-60 miles from anything and damn near every camp site and pull out was full.

I knew it wasn't a secret before we left so I wasn't expecting to have the place to myself or anything, but damn...

ETA: This wasn't a holiday weekend or anything either... this was in the middle of July during the week.

That was my experience the last time I actually camped up there 15-ish years ago. When I was a kid it was no issue for my big family group to go up on holiday weekends and have great big camp spots all to ourselves and never worry about someone else being there before us

The forest service has started to get the word out more about there being a 14 day camping limit, we shall see how that goes

 

[MTguy0341]

Went down there this year for the first time in about 12 years. Didn’t see a whole lot of fishers but like others said the campground spots taken is crazy. I worked for an outfitter up Kelly so it was free rein at the time

 

[nighthawkf-117]

Is everyone in these areas fishing? This trip is a bear trip so I don't mind if the fishing is busy, but if there are a lot of people in this area in general I may rethink my hunting location

 

[nighthawkf-117]

I also should add I'm back country camping so I don't mind the camp sites being full

 

[TheTone]

You will almost certainly be fine bear hunting especially hiking in. Might see a few elk hunters but I’d guess no one specifically bear hunting. Most people bear hunting in there are sitting baits near a motorized trail or road