11-12-24 REELLIFE digital - Flipbook - Page 38
We also caught a fair
amount on our Salmon gear
superbaits and spinners as
the season progressed we
started to move upriver to
the free-flowing areas of the
Clearwater trolling Maglips
by Yakima Bait and Bradss
Wiggler. These plugs tipped
with a shrimp are a deadly
combination.
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
That brings us to the now.
Currently, the Steelhead
are through all river
systems and anglers are
enjoying both the increased
numbers and size. In my 35
years of guiding experience,
this is how the rest of the
season should shape up:
Steelhead are going to
hang in the slower water
around Lewiston, Clarkston,
and Asotin to wait for a
good shot of rain that
signals the fish to move
upriver.
This makes November and
December amazing fishing
in the slack water in the
day and the night. Yes, I
said night. Night fishing
is allowed and it can be
very productive pulling
lighted lures like the old
Brads Wigglers, Vortex and
the new Night Strike day
time. I would concentrate
on Bobber and Shrimp
around the bridges and
in the neutral water in the
confluence on the north
side or trolling 360 flashers
and a very small spinner
such as the 3.0 colorado
blade in shades gold,
chartreuse, and green.
Many steelhead can be
caught upriver as well. The
Clearwater is an amazing
bank fishery that targets
deeper slower runs with
bobber and shrimp. If you
prefer fishing upriver from
a boat my suggestion is
Heller Bar or the entire
Clearwater from Lewiston
to Orofino. Keep in mind
these river systems are
very dangerous, a person
can get into trouble not
knowing the water. I
suggest hiring one of the
many local guide services to
show you the river.
JANUARY & FEBRUARY
After the first of the year,
most of the Steelhead will
begin to head to areas
closer to their spawning
grounds but keep in mind
Steelhead migration is
unique. Sometimes they
actually move downriver
for some time. For
example, during January
and February, you can still
catch fish in the LewistonClarkston area but there are
definitely less fish hanging
around in this area.
On the Clearwater, anglers
will begin to pile into the
Orofino area targeting
the fish from Dworshak
