About 4 years ago I bought adrift boat and started to expand my horizons on this river after fishing the Orofino area for about 8 years. I've been having fun fishing the upper river between Kooskia and Kamiah with mixxed sucess. Having driven to Lewiston a few times snooping around I'm fairly familier with the lower stretch, so what I'm wondering is if anyone could tell me what would be a good full day float for a couple of guys that like to pull plugs and ocassionally anchor up and cast at a good looking hole for a bit. We plan on being there this coming sunday thru tue. Thanks for any help. Good fishin to all.

I would think that there are more nates up the Clearwater than in years past. As you probably know, most of the fish that go above the Dworshak steelhead hatchery near Orfino are native fish. Is there enough of them this year to allow a fishery on these upriver native steelhead? 1 or 2 limit? Or preferably just a C&R season?

It sure is a beautiful river and canyon from Orfino to the confluence of the Selway and Locksa rivers, and beyond into the Bitteroots! We used to drive along it often between Portland and Missoula. If you drive up the gravel road section of the Selway R. there are big trout up there - if it's open for fishing this far into the fall. Good luck. The scenery is guaranteed.

RT

I know of a lot of people that launch at cherry lane but I don't know where the takeout is. Your best bet would be to call Evelyn at The Guide Shop in Orofino. She is great and very helpful. Her boats slay a ton of fish. I fish the lower river most of the time this time of year and will switch to the upper river in December. Its a long drive but well worth it.

You again?! "Adrift boat" is one that due to operator error is unmanned and a hazard (much like a lost sheep) to more experienced boaters. Now bitterroot, a DRIFT BOAT is quite another story. The in control and confident....chrome 1

RT,

Idaho has the right idea -- state is strictly non-retention for native steelhead and has been, I think, since sometime in the '80s.

And while your assumption is correct about the presence of more natives in the Clearwater this year -- relative, of course, to there being more fish period -- you may not be aware that there's a hatchery located by Kooskia, 30-some miles above Orofino. It's not nearly as massive as the Dworshak facility, but then what steelhead hatchery is?

Per my personal experience, the nates-to-brats ratio above Orofino is pretty close to 1:1, while below it's traditionally around 1:5 -- this year included.

Mt. Mike,

I hadn't noticed you are from Florence, Montana (Bitteroot River valley) until late last night. Is that cool historic little church still there near Hamilton? I have fished the 'Root and Lolo Cr. many times in the past (I'm a Missoula native). Really glad to have you with us. Just don't mention any zipperlip tribs in the Darby region, or over the Idaho pass to the wild upper S****y.

RT

RT If I am thinking of the same church, by the bridge between Hamilton and Darby, its still there. I don't think the bitterroot you remember is as nice as the one we have now. I take that back, the river is actually a better fishery than it was 10 or 15 years ago however it must rank as one of the most fished rivers in the western half. When I take my boys for a cast and swim day I drive a little west of town to some more secluded streches of river. The guys that pay to fish the Bitterroot in the summer look alittle distressed when they see kids swimming in a nice deep fishing hole. I've been threatening to visit the koot but have yet to make it up there. maybe next year.

Just got back from the Clearwater again. The Float you want is from Lenore to Cherry lane. We spanked them again with the avg size fish being way larger than norm. Best fish was 40 inches and right at 20 lbs. I also like to fish the upper river. Mostly from 5 mile creek to the gift shop. There have been more hatchery fish than usual up there this year, but that may be due to the fact that there are just more fish period this year. 10 days ago, got a wild hen up there that put up the best fight I can remember- A wild B-RUN STEELY is what its all about...

P.S, MR .257 ROBERTS also caught himself a hell of a 5x5 Whitetail yesterday

Thanks for the timley report B-,I'm leaving in about a half an hour. I think we will fish slaughter house today, the lower float tom. and adjust from there tue. I like that float fron kooskia to the gravel bar above kamiah but it may be a little early for that. congrats on your successful trip.