Clearwater River

Early steelhead are beginning to move through the Clearwater in small groups, though numbers remain low. As of September 12, flows were running above normal at around 9,860 cfs at Spalding, but the river has dropped significantly from earlier highs, making lighter presentations and traditional swing water more fishable. Water temperatures have cooled to prime conditions. Cover water actively rather than holding in one spot, and consider both dry-line tactics with lighter presentations and subsurface approaches depending on depth and current.