August 7, 2026

North Fork Clearwater River

Current conditions for North Fork Clearwater River · Map, access and gauges

Flow

715 cfs

Water Temp

67°F · Prime temp

Trend

Steady

Observed

7d ago

Conditions

The North Fork Clearwater is one of the most dependable summer fisheries in the region, with early steelhead arriving and solid trout holding to riffle transitions, current seams, and shaded structure as flows recede. Water temperature is running prime at 67°F as of August 26, with flows stable at 715 cfs at the Canyon Ranger Station gauge. Fish early or late to avoid the warmest midday hours. Consider nymphing low and slow with smaller patterns alongside hair-wing and skated steelhead flies to cover the range of holding water.

Gauges

Techniques

  • #12 or #14 Chubby with a lightly weighted nymph underneath will handle nearly every situation
  • Smaller nymphs in the pocket water on North Fork work well

Recommended flies

Small nymphsHair-wing steelhead fliesSkated fliesChubby Chernobyl #12 or #14Lightly weighted nymphs

This report covers one day. See today’s bite forecast for North Fork Clearwater River.