South Fork of the Clearwater River
river in Idaho
This freestone river provides diverse fishing opportunities, from large pools to riffles and runs, amidst a beautiful wilderness backdrop. It's a great option for anglers seeking both quantity and quality of trout.
River flow last 30 days
B-run steelhead are settling in
- 01B-run steelhead are settling in, offering prime fall fishing.
- 02Expect ongoing Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches and October Caddis emergence.
- 03Top flies include Egg Sucking Leech, Blood Dot Egg, Comet, October Caddis (Dry), and Soft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange).
- 04Focus on deeper pools, current seams, and slower water for Steelhead holding lies.
- 05Don't shy away from larger, aggressive patterns like the Egg Sucking Leech or a swung Comet for fall Steelhead.
Past reports week by week
7 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Egg Sucking Leech
Excellent leech and egg imitation, particularly effective for Steelhead in fall during spawning activity.
Buy at AmazonTungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
A heavy stonefly nymph imitation that gets deep into runs, effective for Steelhead year-round.
Buy at AmazonComet
A proven attractor for Steelhead in fall and winter on freestone rivers.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Mimics salmon/trout eggs, a crucial food source for Steelhead during the fall spawning season.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
Matches the largest caddis hatch of the year in fall, attracting opportunistic Steelhead.
Buy at AmazonSoft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
Swung through currents, this fly imitates caddis pupae and emergers, a reliable fall offering for Steelhead.
Buy at AmazonIntruder (Steelhead)
A quintessential Steelhead attractor streamer, designed to provoke aggressive strikes, especially in fall.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Confluence with Meadow Creek
The area around the Meadow Creek confluence provides excellent holding water and varied fish habitat.
Grangeville Area Access
Convenient access points near the town of Grangeville, offering a mix of accessible and productive water.
Highway 13 Corridor
Numerous pull-offs and public access points along Highway 13, offering a wide range of fishing spots.
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Idaho season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
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Quick answers
Common questions about South Fork of the Clearwater River.
What flies work best on South Fork of the Clearwater River?
Our top scored fly patterns for South Fork of the Clearwater River right now are Pheasant Tail Nymph (90% confidence), Jig Hare's Ear (90% confidence), Chubby Chernobyl (90% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in South Fork of the Clearwater River?
South Fork of the Clearwater River holds Steelhead. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on South Fork of the Clearwater River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for South Fork of the Clearwater River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is South Fork of the Clearwater River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for South Fork of the Clearwater River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.