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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Outdoors blog

Salmon fishing boats banned from Clearwater’s Big Eddy

Evelyn Kaide, who’s operated The Guide Shop in Orofino for 20 years, takes time off to land a spring chinook salmon on Clearwater River.
Evelyn Kaide, who’s operated The Guide Shop in Orofino for 20 years, takes time off to land a spring chinook salmon on Clearwater River.

FISHING -- Idaho Fish and Game explains a new rule that will greet Clearwater River chinook salmon anglers this season:

Ask Fish and Game: 2014 Spring Chinook Salmon Rules

Q: I noticed boaters will not be allowed to fish the Big Eddy hole on the Clearwater River for salmon this year. Why are boat anglers being excluded?

A: Spring Chinook salmon seem to congregate in the Big Eddy hole in very large numbers. This makes them especially vulnerable to anglers who are able to target them from boats. Success rates have been so high in this area, that a small number of anglers are able to take a large portion of the quota allowed on the Clearwater. Fishery managers feel that closing this hole to boaters will allow for a longer season which will give all interested anglers more opportunity to participate in the spring Chinook fishery.



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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