Idaho Fishing Reports ยท Clearwater Region
The South Fork Clearwater runs along State Highway 14 from Stites toward Golden, with spring steelhead and summer trout.
Looking for the latest South Fork Clearwater River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the South Fork Clearwater River.
Current flows
Wind forecast
South Fork Clearwater River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Steelhead come later, in late winter and spring.
Check the steelhead season before you go.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Stites to Golden, bring: Egg #8-12, Woolly Bugger #4-6, Stimulator #10-14, Pat', s Rubber Legs #6-8, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
South Fork Clearwater River details
| Access | State Highway 14 follows the river. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 1,300 to 3,000 ft |
| Nearest town | Kooskia, Idaho |
| Best season | Spring for steelhead, summer for trout |
| Fish | Steelhead, rainbow and cutthroat trout |
| Regulations | Steelhead and salmon seasons open and close by river reach, and a steelhead permit is required. Check the Idaho Department of Fish and Game seasons and rules before you go. An Idaho fishing license is required for anglers 14 and older, plus a steelhead or salmon permit where those fish are targeted. |
| Leaders and tippet | Indicator rigs or sink tips, 0X to 2X |
| Camping | Forest Service campgrounds along Highway 14 |
| Kids | Partly. |
| Good to know | Narrow road with logging traffic. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Steelhead on mild days.
Spring
Spring steelhead.
Summer
Trout.
Fall
Quiet.
How to get there
From Grangeville, take State Highway 13 to Kooskia and Highway 14 up the South Fork.