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River guide · Idaho

Fly Fishing the Clearwater River

One of the premier steelhead rivers in the lower 48, the Clearwater carries legendary B-run fish averaging 10–13 pounds through canyon country to the Snake River, while its upper North Fork tributaries like Kelly Creek offer catch-and-release westslope cutthroat fishing in remote, roadless backcountry.

  • 6 shops nearby
  • freestone
  • Steelhead: late August through March
  • Idaho
  • 6 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Clearwater River is Steelhead: late August through March. Key hatches include Salmonfly, Golden Stonefly, Pale Morning Dun, Caddis. 6 fly shops near the Clearwater River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Clearwater River

Shops and guides that fish the Clearwater River. See all 37 Idaho shops →

House of Fly - Lewiston Fly ShopCastCadia OutfittersHouse of Fly - Great Falls Fly Shop
3 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassBonefishCarpMuskyPanfishPikeRedfishSalmonSaltwaterSteelheadStriperTarponTrout

Nearby towns

LewistonCoeur d'AleneSpokane

Rivers nearby

Coeur d'Alene RiverSpokane RiverHenry's ForkBitterroot River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Clearwater River

River typefreestone
Best seasonSteelhead: late August through March, peak September–November; trout (westslope cutthroat) on upper North Fork tributaries June through September.
AccessUS Highway 12 follows the main Clearwater from Kooskia to Lewiston with developed pullouts at Upper and Lower Hog Island, Harpers Bend, Pink House Recreation Site, Greer, and Long Camp. The upper North Fork above Dworshak Reservoir is reached via Forest Service roads from Pierce or Orofino; Kelly Creek, a premier cutthroat tributary, is accessed via FS Road 250.
Key hatches
  • Salmonfly — late May through mid-June on upper sections
  • Golden Stonefly — July through August
  • Pale Morning Dun — June through mid-September
  • Caddis (spotted and green) — June through September
  • October Caddis — September through November
  • Midges — year-round, dominant November through March
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Clearwater River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

Browse all 880+ patterns at The Fly Bench
Gear up

Gear up on the Clearwater River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Clearwater River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

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Updated June 2026