03-02-2009, 10:28 PM
Guides are expensive but if you don't fish for steelhead often I feel they are worth it. You could cut your trip length in half and pay for one so you can catch your limit. Remember the prices listed by guides are only suggestions. Economic times like these beg for negotiations. Ask for two for one. Worst thing that can happen is that you fish from the bank...
Slip bobbers and jigs are your best bet. I did see a guy use a 7' MH spinning rod throwing 1/4 oz. marabou jigs and tapping the bottom like a smallmouth angler and he caught his limit of steelhead in one hour at the log yard by the confluence of the main and northfork below the hatchery.
The fish really stack up on the Northfork below the dam. If you can figure out a way to open their mouths you could be busy all weekend. Most of them have severe lockjaw.
If you decide to drive upriver and fish the S.F. of the Clearwater you can spot-fish them from the road. I have had good results with drifting light weights, long leaders, small hooks, yarn, small corkies, and some stink of your choice.
Bobber and jig fishing is good from Orofino to Kamiah, too. About five miles up from Orofino there are a few ramps frequented by the local guides with driftboats. The pullout down from the Gift Shop ramp is a great hole. It has a consistent depth and produces some good fish using jigs.
If you have not seen how to rig up a bobber and jig you can see examples at Sportsman's Warehouse. They have them tied up and on display by the reel cases.
Good luck.
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Slip bobbers and jigs are your best bet. I did see a guy use a 7' MH spinning rod throwing 1/4 oz. marabou jigs and tapping the bottom like a smallmouth angler and he caught his limit of steelhead in one hour at the log yard by the confluence of the main and northfork below the hatchery.
The fish really stack up on the Northfork below the dam. If you can figure out a way to open their mouths you could be busy all weekend. Most of them have severe lockjaw.
If you decide to drive upriver and fish the S.F. of the Clearwater you can spot-fish them from the road. I have had good results with drifting light weights, long leaders, small hooks, yarn, small corkies, and some stink of your choice.
Bobber and jig fishing is good from Orofino to Kamiah, too. About five miles up from Orofino there are a few ramps frequented by the local guides with driftboats. The pullout down from the Gift Shop ramp is a great hole. It has a consistent depth and produces some good fish using jigs.
If you have not seen how to rig up a bobber and jig you can see examples at Sportsman's Warehouse. They have them tied up and on display by the reel cases.
Good luck.
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