Access point

Kelly Forks Campgroundon North Fork of the Clearwater River

Public campground in the upper wilderness area.

Bite report · week of Oct 4

01October Caddis are making a strong appearance, providing a substantial meal for eager trout.
02Consistent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are active, especially on overcast days.
03Mahogany Duns are also active and can draw fish to the surface.
04Terrestrial activity, particularly with hoppers, still holds potential on warmer afternoons.
05Focus on deeper runs and foam lines where emerging insects collect, and seams between faster and slower currents.

What to tie on at Kelly Forks Campground

Picked from recent reports for this stretch.

Matches the prominent October Caddis hatch now active on the river, a key fall food source.

BWOs are actively hatching in the fall, especially on overcast days, and a Comparadun is an excellent low-profile pattern for selective fish.

Fall hatches of Mahogany Duns are underway, providing excellent dry fly opportunities for trout keying on adult mayflies.

Terrestrials like hoppers are still a significant food source in early fall along grassy banks, attracting opportunistic feeders.

An excellent Baetis nymph for subsurface feeding, perfectly matching the active BWO nymphs when trout aren't rising to dries.

A versatile nymph that imitates various active aquatic insects, effective year-round, especially when fish are feeding subsurface.

What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.