Clearwater Flyathlon

The Clearwater Flyathlon is a unique event that integrates three of the West’s greatest activities; trail running, fly-fishing, and craft beer. This year the race will be held July 29-31, 2016 in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho.

Read more in the press release below.

Clearwater Flyathlon

Dates: July 29th – 31st, 2016

Location: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, ID

What is the Flyathlon?

The Flyathlon is a unique race event that integrates three of the West’s greatest activities; trail running, fly-fishing, and craft beer. The premise is simple…

run. fish. beer.

During an official event, your score is determined as the time it takes you to run (with all of your fishing equipment on your back) through the entire course, adjusted by a “fish factor” based on what you caught during your run. Both the night before and after the race, fine local craft beer will be served.

Importantly, the Clearwater Flyathlon is a fundraising event for coldwater conservation projects. Our 2016 501(c)(3) partner for this race is the Western Native Trout Initiative. We utilize a crowdfunding model to raise money for projects that make Idaho a better place for native trout, and we strongly encourage all flyathletes to commit to fundraising as an integral part of their participation in this event.

Where is the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests?

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests is located in North Central Idaho. Our entire event will take place in the eastern edge of the Forests, and is actually closer to Superior, Montana, than any community in Idaho. Camping and pre- and post-race activities will take place at the Diamond Camp campsite. The road to the campsite/trailhead is large and relatively well-maintained and should pose no problems for event participants with non 4wd passenger cars. The race will start from near the junction of Forest Roads 250 and 295. Detailed directions will be sent to all registered flyathletes prior to the event.

Estimated time needed to drive to the race location:

• 2.0 hours from Missoula, MT!
• 3.0 hours from Coeur D’Alene, ID!
• 3.75 hours from Lewiston, ID
• 3.5 hours from Spokane, WA

Course Descriptions

Clearwater Flyathlon features two different distances – a short course and a long course. The short course is an out-and-back course along Lake Creek and Goose Creek (5.4 miles total; ~450 feet elevation gain). The long course continues for 2.8 miles past the 414 Trailhead turnaround for the short course. (11 miles total; ~1,100 feet elevation gain). Lake Creek and Goose Creek feature small stream fishing where it is possible to catch 3 different native salmonid species (Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Redband Trout, Mountain Whitefish).

Brief Schedule of Events:

Friday, July 29th, 2016: The Diamond Camp dispersed campsite will open for tent set-up at 4 pm. We will be checking folks in while enjoying an informal backwoods bottle share (bring your favorite beers to share with other flyathletes) and other activities (e.g. cornhole, horseshoes). Dinner is on your own. At 8 pm, there will be a formal briefing on race rules and course conditions, including what is fishing well. After this briefing, there will be a campfire and more carbo-loading.

Saturday, July 30th, 2016: Pre-race check in and fishing bib handout will begin at 8:15 am, with the race beginning promptly at 9 am. The Race start is approximately 5 miles from the Diamond Camp, and it will take about 15 minutes to get there. The race courses will close at 2 pm, allowing 5 hours to complete the Flyathlon. A post-race catered dinner and fine craft beers will be served back at the Diamond Camp beginning at 4 pm. Awards will be presented at 5:30 pm, followed by an evening of revelry and leisure sports competition (cornhole, horseshoes, etc…).

Sunday, July 31st, 2016: The party is over. Please pack up your tents and your trash and head home, leaving by 10 am. No, wait! You are in a cool part of Idaho that you don’t know all that much about… Please take the day and explore the best of the Nez Perce- Clearwater National Forests…

What is expected of me?

As noted above, the Flyathlon is a fundraising event that raises money for native fish related coldwater projects. In 2015, we raised more than $20,000 in Colorado through our crowdfunding efforts, and this money has been spent on a variety of educational and stream / trail restoration projects. Prizes from our sponsors will be packaged together and will be awarded to our top two fundraisers on July 30th, 2016. Fundraising totals will be finalized at midnight on July 28th. If you sign up for this event, please plan on committing to crowdfunding for this cause… A valid Idaho fishing license is required to participate in the event. For information on Idaho fishing licenses go to: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish 

Please purchase your fishing license before you arrive for the event! If you are coming from Montana or Washington, you should probably buy your license online, because the nearest physical locations to purchase licenses in Idaho are 2+ hours from the camp/race site (Mullan or Pierce, ID).

For more information, please visit: www.flyathlon.org or www.facebook.com/Flyathlon