Lower Salmon & Clearwater River Idaho: October 9th-16th, 2012

Date / Time: October 9-16, 2012 Location: Salmon River, Idaho & Clearwater River, Idaho The Characters: Kory Kapaloski, Brian Kapaloski, Lee Kapaloski, Aaron Adams, Justin Kasting Weather: Varied by day, but mostly sunny until end of trip Water Temp: Upper 40s to lower 50s Water Level / Tide: Both quite low, Salmon was at 3800 cfs starting and ended at 4010. 1,300 to 1,500 on Clearwater (Orofino) Water Clarity/Quality: Largely crystal especially clearwater. Moon Phase: Last quarter to new Fishing: Flew into Lewiston on the 14th and drove up and met Aaron at Gravel Pit run lower guy came and tried to tell us we couldn’t be there, but Aaron had permission. Then went up to run below bridges and dudes in it so looked for open water and ended up on random run river right with big pump. Nada.  Day 2: Floated from Twin Bridges to Campbell Flat. Dad and  BK in his boat, AAron and I in his. Perfect short float with a lot of good water. Aaron Got a nice one in run on river right below drop off in front of trailer (maybe call it the curve?). I got a very small but ripping hot little chromer across from the house in the boulder field river right above the bridge on black beadchain bugger on intermediate leader. Floated down, guys were in run below bridge. BK and Dad were on river right below bridge and BK ended up getting a small one I think after we left. Another killer run river left below that, but no fish hooked am sure could get them there though. Day 3: We stayed in Riggins the first few nights and floated from Lucille to Maynard creek I think. I got a decent hen on the hang down after I started stripping across from some houses in Lucille river right. Aaron’s friend Justin showed up mid day and we had split up. We fished some killer runs hard but that morning fish was the only one hooked that day. Day 4: Floated Twin to Campbell again. Aaron, Justin and I fished the white cross run river right first thing. Aaron hooked on first pass, Justin nada and then I followed and hooked a giant mid swing on the Orange Boss with marabou tail. Heavy pull mid swing and instantly running out to mid river. Good battle with some erratic jumps and Aaron had the net so landed it af ter a good 10 minute battle or so. Justin got a super hot small fish on river right below bridge and we pounded several o ther runs like previous days but I think that was it. Day 5: Floated the same Twin to Campbell again. This day the weather changed night before and it got overcast with occasional drizzle. Perfect conditions so thought it was going to be on. Pounded all the same water for nada. Not even a grab between everyone. Only one fly guy we talked to got one and he was with a guide, they possibly got it on the nymph rig. Other fly guide nada, gear guys struggling all around tough. Day 6: Brian, Aaron and Justin heading out. BK, dad and I put the boat in at Campbell since there is a killer run on river left. We pounded it top to bottom for 3 hours for nothing. Brian also fished the next run down river left for nothing. Saw a few porpoise and one free jump and two bait guys said they had got some big ones over previous days, but saw nothing that day. Wind kicked in and dad and I headed to Clearwater. We went straight to the motel/bowling alley run river right. Water was super low and crystal and reports were tough. I went through first since Dad wanted to make some phone calls, I got one on first pass on black beadchain. Somewhat lethargic fight, but reasonable. Super light take, difficult to not set but could feel it pull so new it was steelhead. Nice 32 inch fish. Decided to run to Orofino and get beers and realized while there I lost my wedding ring…devastated! Sour end to a good day. Looked all over for naught…Another story Day 7: Stayed in Orofino and fished the motel in the am, but no fish. Saw a few porpoise and pounded it a few times but no grabs, nada. Moved downriver and fished Cherry Lane above bridge river right. Another guy was leaving, said got nada. We spotted some nice fish moving through from bridge. No takes, nada. Went and checked in to hotel in Lewiston and headed to stink hole for evening. Guy in it, but we followed. At very end I got a good grab that pulled the shock loop but no hookup. Tried switching flies, no dice. Day 8: Got up early to make a pass through stink hole since our plane didn’t leave until noon or so. Wind was absolutely hurricane force. I tried about 5 casts and left. All in all great trip, tough fishing.