FROM CAST TO CHAOS
EXPERIENCE THE STRIKE OF A CLEARWATER STEELHEAD
If you’ve never felt a steelhead rip line off your reel, the Clearwater River’s got a lesson in adrenaline with your name on it.
Cutting through the wild heart of Idaho, the Clearwater is home to some of the hardest-fighting B-Run Steelhead you’ll ever chase. Averaging 10-20 lbs, these aren’t fish that give up easy—and that’s exactly the point.
When you fish with Clearwater River Outfitters, you're not just buying time on the water. You’re stepping into decades of gritty know-how, river knowledge. Our Clearwater River fishing guides live for the early-morning chill, the snap of a good cast, and the jolt of that first hookup. They’ll put you where the fish are—and give you the best shot at bringing in a river-run bruiser that'll make your arms sore and your heart pound.
Whether you're swinging flies or drifting bait, Clearwater River Steelhead demand everything you’ve got. A good day on the water can consist of several hookups, per person, each day. When you finally feel that fast, electric take—you’ll understand why anglers keep coming back for more. It’s not just fishing. It’s a full-on chase.
So pack your gear, grab your lucky hat, and get ready for the ride. The fish will be here waiting for you.
STEELHEAD SEASON RUNS FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH MARCH EACH YEAR - COME JOIN OUR FISHING GUIDES ON THE CLEARWATER
THE CLEARWATER RIVER STEELHEAD FISHING SEASON
The lifeblood of the Clearwater River is the large B-Run Steelhead. The Clearwater River has the only original genetics of these fish. They grow larger that any other summer steelhead in the North West because they are programed to stay in the ocean an additional year before they return to spawn.
These larger Steelhead can easily be over 20 lbs. are well known for their size and strength and highly sought after by steelhead anglers.
The Clearwater River, home of Idaho's iconic B-Run Steelhead, has a reputation of being one of the top Steelhead and Salmon fishing destinations in the United States. In this popular fishery, B-Run Steelhead average 10-20 lbs. and our fishing guides will show you the way.
Fishing for B-Run Steelhead is by far one of the most popular guided fishing trips that Clearwater River Outfitters offers. The shallow gravel bars and long slow runs make this river ideal for the boondoggling method of fishing. Long light action spinning rods, light line and big Steelhead will put a smile on any angler's face.
Guiding on the Clearwater River is regulated by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board.
Clearwater River Outfitters
is one of only 8 guide companies licensed by the State of Idaho to guide fishing trips on the Clearwater River.
A Glimpse Into the Life of a Clearwater River Fishing Guide
By JIM MCCARTHY
I am a 4th generation Idaho resident. My family has deep roots here in Idaho. My Great Grandfather, William B. Kinne, homesteaded off the north fork of the Clearwater River at Anoka and became one of Idaho’s first Lieutenant Governors.
During those crazy times he was even kidnapped once while in office. My Grandfather, Joe McCarthy, was one of the founders of the Hecla Mining company in Wallace Idaho. He met my grandmother in college at the University of Washington and they made their home in Orofino Idaho where he ran the White Pine Lumber Company. My dad, Mike McCarthy, was raised in Orofino before later moving our family to Lake Oswego in Oregon where he became a fishing guide on the coastal rivers.
He had me running the rivers at age 8 teaching me river safety and how to fish for salmon and steelhead. When I was in High School, we moved back to Idaho where I finished school in Boise. In 1994 I left Boise and moved to Orofino to begin my career as a fishing guide. I have now been a fishing guide on the Clearwater River for over 40 years and working as a professional fishing guide for 30 years.
Growing up in an outfitting family has given me respect for the resources we have here on the Clearwater. Not only have do we have steelhead, but we have the B-run steelhead that are known all over the world for their size and the journey they take.
I have been fortunate over the years to catch and help my clients catch an unbelievable amount of these fish here in my backyard. In addition to guiding on the Clearwater river I also have a fish replica business I do on the side. With 90% of this business being replicas of these great big steelhead, I named my business “Clearwater Recreations”.
Through the years, I have also worked at the local hatcheries here to help support these premier runs of Clearwater fish for future generations to enjoy. They are a renewable resource when effectively managed that and only found in a few specific rivers around the world. These fish are my life’s work, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to do my part for this fishery.
When I first began my guiding fishing career I was working for a small local outfitter based out of Orofino, Idaho. One day while I was fishing on a day off, I noticed a NEW guy named Jason Schultz fishing the river. We fished the same areas and kept an eye on one another as we fished. We both had a good day and I went up him as were loading our boats and asked if he was a new outfitter on the river and if he was hiring. He told me that he was a new outfitter but that he didn’t need another fishing guide working for him. The next morning, we were both out there fishing the same water again. I had a good day which he noticed. At the end of the day back at the boat ramp we met up again and he offered me a job to help him and his new business. We have developed a great bond as he has grown Clearwater River Outfitters into one of Idaho’s finest fishing guide services on the Clearwater River area.
It has been a pleasure to work with Jason and the other Clearwater River Outfitters fishing guides. We are a family of guys with a ton of knowledge and experience on the Clearwater River. We work together as a team to provide our clients the experience they deserve on our Clearwater River Salmon and Steelhead fishing trips!