Conditions
Early summer steelhead are moving into the lower Clearwater, drawn by cold tailwater spilling from Dworshak Dam. Flows were running 13,100 CFS at Spalding on August 7, with water temperature holding at a chilly 48°F. These cold conditions make for prime steelhead habitat. Small hair-wing and skated flies are your best bet in this section.
Gauges
Live cameras
Clearwater River at Spalding
USGS 13342500 · Oct 18, 2026, 7:00 PM
Every 60 min · daylight
Clearwater River at Orofino
USGS 13340000 · Oct 18, 2026, 5:00 AM
Every 60 min · 247
Techniques
- Floating lines on the swing with smaller hair-wing flies or skated fly for steelhead
Recommended flies
Small hair-wing fliesSkated steelhead flies