Kelly Creek

[Shaky Wadr]

Every year, along about the time we are polishing off the remains of the 4th of July picnic my thoughts turn to Kelly Creek Idaho. A quick check of the forest service web site tells me if the road over Hoodoo pass is clear of winter snows and if it is I religously watch the river flows. When the readings at the Canyon ranger station fall below 2000 cfs I know it is time. The trailer is packed and the fishing gear is checked over one more time.

Kelly Creek is no secret and it attracts more and more people every year. The only thing that saves it is its remoteness. No matter whether you approach from the Montana side or the Idaho side, there will be 50 miles of forest service gravel roads to travel. Don't forget anything. There are no fly shops, gas stations, or groceries except at the ends of those gravel roads. Is it worth it? Oh Yeah!

I have just returned from a week chasing the cutthroats and thought I would share a few pictures. Fish are plentiful and although cutt's have a reputation of being easy, don't count on it. This is C & R water and the fish are shall we say cautious. However, if the light is right, your fly is acceptable, and you have nerves of steel, you may just experience watching a 16" cutt slowly rise from the depths of the crystal clear water and calmly sip a small dry from the surface. All it takes is once and you will be back every year, Like me. Still, Kelly Creek is about much more than fishing. Just being there will rejuvenate the soul.


KELLY CREEK



A FAVORITE POOL



THERE ARE MILES OF WATER LIKE THIS



A TYPICAL KELLY CUTT



JULY IS PEAK WILDFLOWER SEASON TOO

[bobbyg]

Thanks for posting this Shaky! Absolutely stunning!

Kelly Creek........yes I will fish it one day!

bobbyg

[JohnScott]

Rick -

Kelly Creek was already on my short list. When I was up in Missoula last week, I almost decided to drive over there.

After seeing your pics and reading your report, Kelly Creek is now on my very short list. Week after next, in all probabilty.

Thanks for the "boost".

John

[Joel D. Popham]

Shaky,
I'm fortunate to have fished Kelly Creek on many occasions. It was a favorite spot for a friend of mine who passed away this past February. Your photos bring back very fond memories. Best Regards......

[DW]

Beautiful shots. I would not mind seeing more, if you have them.

[kglissmeyer]

Holy Smoke! What a place, what a fish and what a report! Thanks for sharing. I live over in eastern Idaho and have never heard of Kelly Creek, although it appears someone must have named it after me...
It is for sure on my list of places to visit in the near future this Summer.
Thanks for the report and great pics.

Kelly.

[Shaky Wadr]

OK DW, here are a few more pic's.

I was there for a week and fished about 8 hours a day. Going out in the morning, back to camp for lunch and a siesta, then again in the evening until it was too dark to thread a leader. Most days resulted in about 25 fish but a couple were much tougher.

This is a wild fishery and all age classes of fish are well represented. You can catch all of the 6 - 10" fish you care to but the bigger ones are more fun if you target them. My best on this trip was a 16 incher that made the reel sing and put a very fine bend in my new 4 wt. bamboo that I finished this spring. What a joy.


THIS IS A PRETTY TYPICAL SECTION OF WATER


I COULDN'T RESIST THIS PHOTO


ANOTHER POOL THAT HAS YIELDED SOME FINE FISH


THE PAINT BRUSH IS IN FULL GLORY


IN THE EVENINGS WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OFF THE WATER, THE FLATS AND TAILOUTS CAN BE MAGIC.


I hope all of you get the chance to fish Kelly Creek someday. Be careful though. It can capture your heart and mind.

[JohnScott]

...I hope all of you get the chance to fish Kelly Creek someday. Be careful though. It can capture your heart and mind.

It already has !!

John

[kglissmeyer]

Those last photos make me want to move this trip up the list to #1! Wosa!!! Thanks for the info and the great photos.

Kelly.

[Joel D. Popham]

Hey Shaky,

The next time you go down there, don't miss Cayuse Creek. You can access it off of Forest Road 581. There's a fair amount of hiking involved, but it is well worth the effort. There IS a short stretch of the creek right along the road, maybe 1.5-2 miles, but most of it is hiking.....Best Regards......

Kelly,

The easiest way in there is to go south out of Superior, MT. You take the Forest Service road up over the pass and come in along the North Fork of the Clearwater....Best Regards.....