Pat Long's Snake River Fishing Reports
Fishing on the rivers and streams in the Snake River region is beginning to feel like summer.
The small streams and rivers are clear and in good shape for fishing.
The Snake is still running about 58 degrees which is fairly cool. With the weather pattern as it is our peak C&R sturgeon time should last well into July.Bass fishing throughout the entire system is good to very good. There have been large catches of nice sized size bass caught below Lower Granite Dam.
Sturgeon fishing in the reservouir has been steady and some keeper size fish showing up. This always adds interest when fishing below the dam.
We are booking trips in this area during the month of July, call for details.
Monday, October 15, 2007
With the good numbers of steelhead crossing Lower Granite Dam, anglers are finding good fishing on the Snake River from just outside Clarkston to Heller Bar and beyond. During a Sunday morning run upriver we noted a number of anglers either boating fish or in the process of netting.
The river conditions are excellent with good flows and water clarity.
The fishing pressure appeared down from previous years making for a quality experience fishing uncrowded runs.We didn't see much difference between drifting bait and backtrolling plugs, and recreational anglers were about even with guides from what we could tell.
The Clearwater River's general opener starts today October 15. If the catch and release portion of the season is an indication we will be having another good year.
River flows are down and caution should be used when navigating this small river, pay paticular attention to the flyfishers who are fishing some of these runs. By the pure nature of their method of fishing they place themselves in areas where they might be unsafe. Boaters should give them every consideration.
Flyfishers also have a responsibility to not restrict or create navigational hazards for moterized traffic. This river is shared by all anglers and it is critical for everyone to respect others.Please practice sportsmanship and courtesy on the river to make everyone’s' day a safe and good one.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
9/27/2007
At this time the Clearwater River is running clear and low. This is the ideal time and water conditions for fly fishers looking for those bright early steelhead.During a fun run up the river this AM we watched as one fly fisherman fought and landed a good sized fish in the lower reaches of the river. There were anglers in most of the good runs from Lewiston to Cherry Lane.
Water temps were in the 52 degree range, flows were about 2800 cfs.
For the boaters who are trying the river care needs to be taken as there isn't a whole lot of room for error.
Steelhead numbers over the dams are indicating another quality year and with a little rain we should be seeing good numbers of fish throughout the system.
The Snake River should also be seeing some fish showing up around the Ronde and Salmon Rivers. We'll be updating these reports as more informaton becomes available.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Fishing on the rivers and streams in the Snake River region is beginning to feel like summer.
The small streams and rivers are clear and in good shape for fishing.
The Snake is still running about 58 degrees which is fairly cool. With the weather pattern as it is our peak C&R sturgeon time should last well into July.Bass fishing throughout the entire system is good to very good. There have been large catches of nice sized size bass caught below Lower Granite Dam.
Sturgeon fishing in the reservouir has been steady and some keeper size fish showing up. This always adds interest when fishing below the dam.
We are booking trips in this area during the month of July, call for details.
Fishing on the rivers and streams in the Snake River region is beginning to feel like summer.
The small streams and rivers are clear and in good shape for fishing.
The Snake is still running about 58 degrees which is fairly cool. With the weather pattern as it is our peak C&R sturgeon time should last well into July.Bass fishing throughout the entire system is good to very good. There have been large catches of nice sized size bass caught below Lower Granite Dam.
Sturgeon fishing in the reservouir has been steady and some keeper size fish showing up. This always adds interest when fishing below the dam.
We are booking trips in this area during the month of July, call for details.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
We have pretty much closed down our steelhead fishing for the year. It is that time of year when the fish are degraded both in their fighting ability and their flesh has little value for eating, and as usual we start looking forward to other fishing opportunities.
For those anglers that are still fishing the Clearwater the bite is off and on and the area around Orofino is probably your best bet until the upper rivers become ice free. Catch rates are posted on the Idaho fish and game site, and generally the time per fish kept is pretty high.
Smallmouth bass will be starting to show up in the Snake very soon, perhaps we'll head down toward the Columbia to do some walleye fishing. We are hoping to set this up for our early spring charters this next year. Just need to work on the logistics.
Trophy sturgeon and catfish will be starting late May and early June. This year we are seeing a lot of early interest. Everyone loves these fish and spring is the time for some good catches of cats.
We'll provide more information as the fishing gets interesting. We also want to thank all our guests for making this year successful and enjoyable.
Pat Long
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Our Steelhead season is quickly approaching the final months. The fish entering the Clearwater River has been dropping continually since the ladders were closed at Lower Granite Dam. We expect to see a spurt of new fish shortly after the ladders are reopened and fishing will pick up again for several weeks.
There is plenty of fish at the terminal areas and in the Northfork for those who want to bank fish. Jigs and bobbers with as the bait is the standard in this area.
If you want to have fish for smoking do your fishing soon as these fish are degrading very rapidly. We have gone from bright orange to light orange or even cream colored flesh. This tells us their eating quality is getting down pretty good, and they are fast loosing their strength and fighting ability.
We are booking February days on a day to day basis due to the uncertainty with water, fish and general conditions. Our bookings from here on out will be only if we think our guests have a reasonable opportunity of being successful.
The Snake River has been a general disappointment for most of the season and from the last reports we got anglers are still working really hard to find fish in the lower parts of the river. Some reports of a bit better fishing up river in Hells Canyon.
We are looking forward to our spring and summer bass and sturgeon. Nice weather will be a wonderful change for the winter chill.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
December 27. 2006
The Clearwater has been consistantly producing fish since we had heavy rains in November. We have seen fish moving into the river with each storm front, and we are hoping the quality and numbers of fish remain good until the end of February.
Generally,we stop fishing steelhead when we feel that both in their strenght and their table quality has reached a low point. This year will probably be about the same as usual but, at this time the fish are in surprisingly good shape.
We have had a number of fish in the 20 pound range again this year. These large fish seem to be more abundent the past couple of years, sure hope this trend continues as everyone that gets into one of these truely large fish is indeed lucky and oh so pleased.
The Snake River continues to be a big dissapointment for most anglers. Few fish and no bite has been the story for the most part. There was a period early in the season when the mouth of the Salmon kicked out some nice days but that didn't last long from what we heard around the takle shop. Anglers braving the weather are rewarded with an occasional fish.
We are looking forward to spring nice weather and trophy sturgeon fishing.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
It is nice to see the increasing activity of fish over the Dams. Our Clearwater fishery is looking good and we have been finding good numbers of fish have moved into the lower river. Right now it is about 50% typical A-run, going around 4-7 pounds and most the of the others are in the 9-14 pound class. It is so surprising how much more fight these fish have in them now compared to what we see in the early spring fish.
Fish counts are telling us that we should have a really nice year - no record setter but these good solid numbers will make fishing well worth the time. Water levels are fairly low and those running the Clearwater should be cautious.
The general Steelhead season opens on the entire Clearwater the 15 of October. We still have a few openings in late October and a few in November. If you want to enjoy a day fishing for Clearwater B-run fish call for available dates.Snake River steelhead are showing up around the mouth of the Grande Ronde and Salmon River. It will start getting crowded in these areas soon, remember to be courteous and safe this season.
Bass and Sturgeon fishing was picking up with the cooling waters, but the last few days have brought the water temps up and we have seen a slow down on aggressive fish in both species.
We should see this trend reversing as soon those nighttime temperatures go down again.
Friday, September 1, 2006
It appears that the Steelhead have finally arrived in the Lewis-Clark area. Still no big numbers yet but the word, from the local Tackle Shop today, is many anglers had a great morning with a number limiting out. Cool nights have lowered the water temps some and the Clearwater remains cool moderating the Snake River downstream from the confluence area. We are about a month late but this will probably make the fishing on the Clearwater better this year early in the season.
Sturgeon fishing remains in the summer mode - It is hunt and seek aggressive fish. The fish tend to be in the slower deeper holes and finicky about baits. Take a good selection of baits and if you don't get a bite within half an hour or so move on.
Smallmouth Bass fishing is really picking up, the number of larger fish coming to the net is growing daily. Top water in the mornings, vary your lures as there are a number of anglers working the Snake and these fish do become 'wise' to specific plugs and lures that they see to often.
Later in the morning switch to those stand by tube baits. Motor oil, smoke and similar colors are the prime choices.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Snake River Strugeon fishing is in its usual summer pattern. The fish are lounging around in the deeper holes and the bite is less than enthusiastic due to higher water temps. We are still catching good trophy fish but it requires finding active and willing fish. It is also imperative this time of year that these fish are brought to the boat as quickly as possible. Over stressing can lead to problems with revival.
Bass fishing is excellent in numbers with a few larger fish showing up in the early mornings. Top water lures in the morning and tubes bates later in the day are the biggest producers.
Steelhead are slow in arriving due to water temps in the river system; however, we are seeing some decent C&R fishing on the lower Clearwater now. Night fishers and those fishing very early in the morning are doing the best. Most fish are being caught with diving plugs in the 1/4 to 1/2 oz. weights. Producing colors are the predictable silver and blue, orange, black with sparkles and green - Best brand depends on the user.
There are a few anglers drifting bobbers that are finding a few fish, bait of choice is shrimp. Make sure that you bait is very fresh. This fishery should explode in another month or so.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Snake River Sturgeon fishing has been very good inspite of poor river conditions. Numerous fish in the 5 to 9 foot size have been brought to the boat this past month. We expect July to be equally good for these fish.
Our Smallmouth bass fishing has been up and down with the high dirty water but things are improving now as we are experiencing better water conditions.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Snake River Spring fishing is Here!
Snake River Smallmouth Bass are becoming active now. There have been a few fishers that have managed to find some nice sized bass willing to take lures this past week. Most of the fish being caught have been in the free flowing portion of the Snake above Lewiston. This prespawn period is the time to look for that trophy fish.
Sturgeon should also be increasingly active with the raising water temps. This fishery will peak out in late May and continue until summer heat puts the big fish into the deeper holes. These fish will continue to bite but they are not nearly as active once summer heats the water to the high 60's, low 70's.
Steelhead fishing is essentially through until this fall brings in a new generation of fish.
Saturday, January 7, 2006
The Clearwater River is shaping up after the recent snow melt and rains. It remains stained but there are fish in all portions of the river and they have been on the bite this past few days. The flush of water appears to have moved the fish that stalled in the slack water, which brings more clipped fish in for the anglers.
The Snake has been high due to Hells Canyon Dam discharge. At the time of this report it is down to 32,000 and we are waiting for the fish to settle in again. We should have good fishing in both the rivers for another couple of months.
Thursday, December 8, 2005
Clearwater River fishing has hit the winter mode with the cold temps that have settled in this past week. Water levels continue to drop with flows down to 2410 cf as of 12/8. These low flows make running the river a challenge….use extreme caution if you plan on being out.
The fish are throughout the entire system with no real hot spots. The bite has been tentative and very soft, but with water temps dropping to the mid 30’s this is to be expected. We are expecting a flush of water when the areas temperatures moderate, with that will come a surge of new fish from the reservoir. Fishing should pick up when that happens.
We have had consistent catches even with these difficult conditions. Adapting and hard work pays off.The Snake is experiencing the same situation with dropping water temps, almost 5 degrees in the past week, down to 39.56 degrees. Fish should be settling into the usual holding waters and they should still be relatively active.
Monday, November 7, 2005
Clearwater River – Anglers have been struggling with sulky fish and low water conditions for a number of days. The recent rains have helped with the extremely low water and perhaps it will bring some new fish into the system. This is the usual pattern at the start of our monsoon period.
A consistently producing area is the bridge piers both on the Memorial Bridge on the Clearwater and the Blue Bridge just above the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater.. Night fishing with jig and bobber or just bobber and shrimp has been producing some nice b-run steelhead for those hardy souls that brave the nighttime hours.
Snake River-
The Steptoe area down river, has been kicking out some fish, this can be a real sleeper. The hard part is finding where these fish are traveling….and those who fish it do not readily give up much information.
The main stem Snake has been producing some nice catches for the past several weeks. The usual hotspot around Heller Bar and the Grande Ronde has been hard hit, but fishing will continue to be productive as new fish enter the system and start settling in for the winter.