Kelly Creek Idaho Fly Fishing Report: 10/06/24
The stream is still flowing near a normal level and clear. We received two more good catch reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Type of Stream: Freestone
Species: Westslope Cutthroat (native)
Rainbow Trout
Bull Trout (Illegal to fish for them)
Mountain Whitefish
Location
Northeastern Idaho Panhandle
Size:Medium
Nearest Towns
Lewiston
Pierce
Season
General Idaho season
Access: Hiking required to reach most of the water
Non-Resident License
State of Idaho
Weather: National Weather Service
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Kelly Creek In Idaho:
This is one of the most overlooked streams in the nation. Some local Idaho residents may get a little upset that we are putting this information on the Internet. This beautiful stream provides anglers super clear water and a good population of native cutthroat trout. It is remote, usually sees few anglers, and a real treat to fish. Fly fishing Kelly Creek is as good as fly fishing gets.
Kelly Creek begins high in the Bitterroot Mountains of the panhandle of Idaho in a very remote area. It is a tributary of the North Fork of the Clearwater River. Kelly Forks Campground is located where Kelly Creek enters the North Fork of the Clearwater. From there you can hike upstream as far as you like on a very good trail that follows the stream closely. Kelly Creek’s native West Slope cutthroats grow up to 20 inches long and probably average 12 to 14 inches. Cayuse Creek is a tributary of Kelly Creek and also offers some great fly fishing opportunities. All of its tributaries and the main stream should continue to provide good fishing for years to come.
Kelly Creek and its tributaries are “catch-and-release”, single, barbless hooks only. Kelly Creek could be called a river. It isn’t exactly small. It is a fast-flowing, often turbulent stream with a steep declination. It has plenty of large and small boulders making it prime pocket water. It is best fished using short, upstream presentations. High sticking is also a great way to fish the stream.
Kelly Creek has more than a normal population of caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies. Blue-winged Olives, Pale Morning Duns, Yellow Quills and many other mayfly species are present. Terrestrial insect imitations work well late in the summer and early Fall. October Caddis represent one of the prime hatches anglers look forward to each year.
Seasons:
Spring: The season starts Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The best fishing takes place after the Spring runoff but that can last until mid July.
Summer: The best fishing opportunities start about the middle of July.
Fall: Early Fall, October and the first part of November also presents some very good fly fishing opportunities.