Lochsa River Idaho
From its beginnings in the Selway Bitterroot Mountains just west of the Idaho-Montana border, this often powerful river flows for nearly 70 miles to a point near Lowell, Idaho. At Lowell, it meets up with the Selway River to form the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River. Lowell is about 95 miles east of Lewiston, Idaho via U.S. Route 12, also known as the legendary “Lewis & Clark Highway“. Much of the river can be found adjacent to U.S. Route 12, on the north side of the river. Be aware that the name "Lochsa" comes from the Nez Perce Indian phrase for "rough water". Some of the river sections are world-famous for whitewater rafting, so take care when fly fishing Lochsa River Idaho. There are several Forest Service campgrounds along the highway from Lowell to near the river headwaters and fishing access points are plentiful. Some accesses to good-looking runs are rocky and steep. Wearing gripping footwear to traverse these will help a lot. When fishing this river, waders and hip boots are not generally useful, since the river is deep and often fast-running, particularly early in the season. So, the clear water can be deceiving. It is often much deeper then it appears, so fishing from the bank is your safest method.
A 5-weight floating line on a 5-weight fly rod are perfect tools for Lochsa River Idaho. Dry flies in sizes 12 to 16 presented on a 5X tippet will work well, with the Elk Hair Caddis, the Black Ant and Parachute Adams patterns being popular. I also prefer the versatile Renegade in these waters, which I continue to fish as a wet fly (with much success) when it gets soaked. If you would like to hook and land genuine wild cutthroat trout, give this exceptional river a try. I urge you to keep “tight lines” on the Lochsa.
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Lochsa River Idaho is a special fly fishing venue, with crystal-clear water and lots of westslope cutthroat trout. This sub-species has a small head and is deep-girthed. "Cuts” in the Lochsa (pronounced “lock-saw”), average 12 to 14 inches, with larger fish often being hooked. Trout over 20 inches are rare. Rainbows, bull trout, and mountain whitefish are also present. In August, you might also get a glimpse of the Chinook salmon, especially in the deeper waters.
Wilderness Gateway Campground is found upstream from Lowell just past the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station. Upstream from the campground is catch-and-release, providing outstanding fishing for more than 30 miles. Two trout over 14 inches can be taken downstream to the streams merger with the Selway River. Because this section is not catch-and-release, the fish tend to be smaller that those found in the upper, protected stretches. Barbless hooks are called for everywhere on the river.
