Clearwater Steely Trip

[Machias]

Went yesterday on my company provided guided steelhead fishing trip on the Clearwater River, out of Orofino, ID.  When we launched the boat it was a balmy 6 degrees    But it was dead calm and was going to be a sunny day.  It was actually an awesome day on the river.  Got up to 25 degrees but no wind and in the sun it was very nice.  We landed two nice fish, one about 8 pounds and one about 4.  I hooked into and fought a huge fish in the 38"+ range for about 8 minutes, he jumped three times, which the guide said was a bit unusal for the temps we were fishing in, and got him up to the net twice before he came off     But I got to see him close twice, what an awesome colored fish.  I told my guide he was wild anyways and we'd of had to let him go.....at least that is what I'm telling myself.  I highly recommend Bryan Miller of Swiftwater Outfitters!!  I'll post some photos tonight.

[Intruder]

I may actually be heading down this weekend.  How far down river from Orofino were ya?  Were ya drift fishing?

[Machias]

We put in about 6ish miles from Orofino, toward Lewiston and floated down in a drift boat to an old bridge.  We got out right at a old bridge, there was a launch and a outhouse on the right side of the river.  We were fishing shrimp on a diver.  The upper part of the river was frozen over, the guide said the upper part has actually fished better this year and if we could have gotten in there that is where he would have taken us, but no way to get into it till it warms up a bit.  Good luck if you go!

[sisu]

I've been with Brian. I can't say enough good about the lad. He's one hell of a young man that cares about his business and wants to see you have a good time. He got a kick out of John and I because we helped him launch, load the boat, unload and get the boat back on the trailer. He said most customers don't offer any help.

[Intruder]

Ice, Ice, and more Ice.  The Clearwater was solid ice bank to bank at the bridge in Lewi.  Our accomodations in Orofino were frozen... furnace died.   We packed our stuff up and headed to a buddy's place on the Snake.  Launched at Heller Bar fished for about 3 hours.  Ice dam on the G. Rhonde broke and belched a huge amount of ice for 2 + hours.  Had to run downstream and pull out.  Snake was bank to bank ice flow from the mouth of the Rhonde down more than a mile and the boat launch was totally packed w/ ice.  Got some photos that I will post later.   

[Intruder]

Here's some photos:
First pick is looking upstream toward Heller Bar from Billy Creek.  Second is looking up stream toward the Narrows on the Grande Rhonde.

[Machias]

I don't see what the problem was?    Awesome photos!!!!!  Thanks a bunch for sharing. I will post mine this evening.  Looks like I am heading to the Snake for some steelies in the next week or so.....once we dig out of this record snowfall!!!!

[Cougeyes]

Well that answers my question for tomorrow's fishing.  Was going to go to the Ronde in the morning, but with this new snow and more snow coming tomorrow I think I may bail out, plus I called down to Bogans a couple days ago and they said the Ronde was frozen, the upper stretches may be un-thawed now, but i'll give it some more time.

Here is a pic of a Clearwater steelhead from December.  Caught another one about the same size at the base of the Dam. 

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Beautiful fish... I enjoy catching clearwater fish when they are chrome down here in the lower columbia.

[Machias]

Here are some photos:

[Bookworm]

Those pics make me want to load up the drift boat and head over. Just wish the price of diesel would drop down so I could afford it.