Clearwater River at HWY 22

fallen1817 · #1 03-31-2014, 07:54 AM

Hello,

I was hoping to find an answer about the Clearwater River from you guys. MY Father In Law's birthday is on May 11, and He had mentioned he has never been taken fishing on his birthday. I am hoping to take him fishing on that day (I see in the regs fishing is open as of April 1 for where I want to take him.) Last year we stopped at the river where it crosses hwy 22, and I landed a nice trout. I was hoping to access the river there and go either up or downstream, just to explore a little. We both fly fish and take spinning gear.

Given usual weather, would majority of the river be open by then? I'd check myself, but I'm up in Edmonton, and I'm sure there are people that frequent this crossing. I'm not seeking advice on honey holes, just as to what the conditions of the river may be around the 11th of May.

Thanks for any tips!

diamonddave · #2 03-31-2014, 08:07 AM

Usually it would be good to go, but this year you might want to bring your ice auger instead.......

dodgeboy1979 · #3 03-31-2014, 10:49 AM

just upstream has some nice pools etc... to fish.

mikeym · #4 03-31-2014, 11:40 AM

by then most of the river should be flowing. there probably will be some ice shelfs still and in slack corners that are shaded probably still ice covered partially. also probably still be some snow banks along the river in the shady parts.

DO NOT walk on the ice shelfs if they are over the water. most of the time they are not very thick and get eaten from the bottom up, so while they look nice and solid from the top, can be very thin.

the main thing will be clarity. the river will more then likely still be pretty mudy from runoff from the fields and feeder streams at that time of year.

but i would still rather be fishing it at that time of year then sitting at home staring at the tv watching other people fish.

good luck
Mike

fallen1817 · #5 04-16-2014, 08:02 AM

Just a Bump. Would someone driving by the river on hwy 22 be able to snap a picture? It's just over a week before I plan to get out, and I'm antsy to know the condition of the river.

Also, would it be a tough go with fly gear? I'm imagining the water isn't super clear, so should I leave the fly gear at home and just take my spinning tackle? Thanks!

Jeff

PS, Here is a trout I caught under the bridge on closing day of 2012. My first ever fish on a river (creeks not included)

lds · #6 04-16-2014, 10:05 AM

Always, always, always bring the fly gear. There is no harm in bringing it and when early season is tough it's always good to have lots of options. I prefer a fly over a spinner anyways. Sometimes this time of year all you will find them feeding on is a nymph. Wish I could help on the conditions. I've been looking through all the recent posts to see what stuff is like myself. Good luck and let us know how you go

wags · #7 04-16-2014, 10:16 AM

Good morning,

The river is wide open, and the water is as clear as....well, the Clearwater River

The bullies were around in decent numbers, although weren't biting too hard when there last weekend. Liarsenic pulled out about a 19" though.

Fly or spin gear is successful on this river, with the Bull last weekend on a streamer.

May have to travel to get between the pools, but very good. Waders are very beneficial as there is still significant snow on the banks.

GL and Cheers!

Rikkles Fisher · #8 04-16-2014, 10:31 AM

Thank you very much for the report wags!!! I'm super excited to fish it on Saturday or Sunday I might do stauffer Saturday and save Clearwater for the warmer day. You have got me pumped to get out there this weekend, anyone else be down there?

wags · #9 04-16-2014, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky7

Thank you very much for the report wags!!! I'm super excited to fish it on Saturday or Sunday I might do stauffer Saturday and save Clearwater for the warmer day. You have got me pumped to get out there this weekend, anyone else be down there?

Stauffer was open closer to the head of the river, but North Raven was still frozen over when we were in the area. Might be open now, and supposed to warm up considerably by this weekend, which will help too.

I'll probably be out there this weekend myself somewhere. Might try closer to North Saskatchewan - never fished that area before.

Glad to hear you're pumped - next to the Red Deer River, it's my favorite river fishing in Central Alberta.

Cheers

Rikkles Fisher · #10 04-16-2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags

Stauffer was open closer to the head of the river, but North Raven was still frozen over when we were in the area. Might be open now, and supposed to warm up considerably by this weekend, which will help too.

I'll probably be out there this weekend myself somewhere. Might try closer to North Saskatchewan - never fished that area before.

Glad to hear you're pumped - next to the Red Deer River, it's my favorite river fishing in Central Alberta.

Cheers

Isn't the natural spring in north raven? So wouldn't it be more likely to be the part that is open? I thought usually the rest of its iced longer and where the spring is in the ground is where it stays open? PM me if you want I'd be happy to share a few of my spots in the area if your always looking for more spots you may or may not know them. Gonna be icy near NSR probably , I drive past the NSR by drayton every day and it's barely cracked open yet.

Liarsenic · #11 04-16-2014, 12:01 PM

North raven is a spring creek, perfect when other waters are crazy during run off. It is wide open at the buck for wildlife parking lot.

Rikkles Fisher · #12 04-16-2014, 12:16 PM

Ok yeah thats where it starts right? Any success lately? PM me if you don't want to share with the entire world wide Web lol

Liarsenic · #13 04-16-2014, 12:27 PM

No that is quite a ways from where it starts actually, but it's the only place I've parked and accessed it at, it's nice to fish it now before the trees and bushes get out of hand as well!

Liarsenic · #14 04-16-2014, 12:28 PM

There's the bull from last Sunday

Rikkles Fisher · #15 04-16-2014, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liarsenic

No that is quite a ways from where it starts actually, but it's the only place I've parked and accessed it at, it's nice to fish it now before the trees and bushes get out of hand as well!

That buck for wildlife parking lot would be the closest parking to the spring right? That's a beauty bull man and the water is looking nice!

Liarsenic · #16 04-16-2014, 12:56 PM

It's the only parking lot that I know of, I'm sure others have ventured further upstream from the lazy-m for access but i have never heard anything myself

Rikkles Fisher · #17 04-16-2014, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liarsenic

It's the only parking lot that I know of, I'm sure others have ventured further upstream from the lazy-m for access but i have never heard anything myself

Is all of raven open for catch and release right now? I of course check the regs before I go out but just curious. And yes that's the area I'm thinking of trying Saturday.

Liarsenic · #18 04-16-2014, 01:10 PM

Open all year, and yes catch and release only

Rikkles Fisher · #19 04-16-2014, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liarsenic

Open all year, and yes catch and release only

Well that's my plan then fish in the snow at Clearwater and stauffer this weekend lol

wags · #20 04-16-2014, 01:46 PM

Hey Ricky,

Let me know when you're heading out, I may join you if you want some company.

As for the NSR, my plan was to actually fish the Clearwater closer to where it mouths into the NSR, not the NSR specifically.

Of course, if it's not open, I'll venture upstream. Just being out there is nice! I only have a casting rod now - my fly rod exploded on Sunday

Cheers

Rikkles Fisher · #21 04-16-2014, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags

Hey Ricky,

Let me know when you're heading out, I may join you if you want some company.

As for the NSR, my plan was to actually fish the Clearwater closer to where it mouths into the NSR, not the NSR specifically.

Of course, if it's not open, I'll venture upstream. Just being out there is nice! I only have a casting rod now - my fly rod exploded on Sunday

Cheers

For sure I will be camped in the area! Shoot me a pm we will cross paths.

fallen1817 · #22 04-23-2014, 10:28 PM

For anyone that hit the river this past weekend, how was it? Any Fish? How was the river? With all this rain, how is it looking? Can't wait to hit it on Saturday!!

Jeff

Donkey Oatey · #23 04-24-2014, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fallen1817

For anyone that hit the river this past weekend, how was it? Any Fish? How was the river? With all this rain, how is it looking? Can't wait to hit it on Saturday!!

Jeff

Just back from fishing there today. No fish, running fairly high and really muddy right now.

Tried a few places on the Clearwater but no luck. Still beautiful, great scenery.