BVFF Outing March 20, 2021
Date: March 20, 2021
Host: Ted Eisele
Clear Lake was a favorite for many BVFF members for many years until the fishery bottomed out around 2015. It is a spring-fed lake near Buhl, just off the Snake River. It is a pay fishery catering to fly fishers, just above the Resides Clear Springs Trout Farm, which produces many of the trout found in restaurants around the U.S. Just below the lake is the Clear Lake Country Club. Together they operate the lake and limit it to fly fishing only. They not only have stocked it prodigiously, but have also included many Palomino trout, and sometimes some very large hatchery broodstock fish. Palominos are a cross between an albino rainbow and a regular rainbow, and can be spotted at a distance stalking your fly.
Hard times befell the fishery and many anglers abandoned it. However, there are new owners at the Trout Farm, and a new board of directors with the country club is hoping to restore the fishery to its former glory. They are hiring a water resources professor at CSI to study the water and the ecosystem. They are also studying the impact of the flock of pelicans that has taken up residence there, and discussing options with IDFG.
BVFF has been discussing the situation with the managers of the fishery and offering our help to restore the fishery. In return, Clear Lake has offered us a chance to fish the lake for free on March 20.
Members can fish for free that day, but you must:
- be a paid-up member of the club, and
- must preregister for the event on the club’s website.
Only registered members will be allowed to fish for free. To fish that day, you must check in at the Country club clubhouse (lower level) in the pro shop. They will have a copy of the registration. If you have observations about how the fishery can be improved, let your outing host or board members know so that we can pass it on to the lake managers.
The lake is a no motor water, and there is virtually no fishing from shore, so bring a float tube or pontoon boat. Fly fishing only. It’s too early to say the fishery is great again, but there are fish in the lake and it’s a nice spring getaway.
You can enjoy a friendly meal or snack during your fishing trip at the restaurant at Clear Lakes Country Club. If you are in the mood for a more unique dining experience, then save your appetite for the drive home. Take the scenic river drive through Hagerman. As you enter Hagerman, on the left you will see the Snake River Grill owned by Chef Kirt Martin, the host of the nationally televised cooking show, “Cooking on the Wild Side” shown on many PBS stations. On the menu you will find alligator appetizers, sturgeon, catfish, walleye, moon fish, salmon, and trout, along with much more.
Directions to Clear Lake C.C. go to: https://goo.gl/maps/XWBzY
For those who don’t know the way, we will caravan together. Meet on the west end of the Cabelas parking lot at 8:45 and depart by 9am. For more info contact the Outings Host, Ted Eisele at teisele44@gmail.com
