Coeur d'Alene Fishing Report 03.14.19
Coeur d'Alene River
The flow is 493 cfs at Cataldo. That's not much water folks but get ready. Next week the forecast says mid-50s. This will bring the water up in a hurry. Hopefully, it will not be too fast or bring too much rain on top of it. There is a ton of snow to come down the creek this year. So, keep a close eye on our reports and we’ll keep you abreast of the current conditions. It is going to be a rollercoaster of a spring with this much snow. If you are to go up this week or the first part of next week, it is going to be a nymphing game and/ or streamer game, mostly. Now with the warmer temperatures, they are calling for, we might see some midges, blue wing olives, and, possibly, some namoura stoneflies. I think the ol' stand by rig with a Pat’s rubber legs for a lead fly and a smaller pheasant tail dropper or a San Juan worm will do just fine. Streamers I'd be throwing are a near nuff sculpin or our new kamakazi sculpin from Umpqua. We have some killer new bugs in stock, and the fly bins are looking great!
Oh, don't forget this Sunday is our streamer seminar, from 10:30-12:30. We will be teaching you how to rig, what flies to use, rods, lines to use etc.. The class is $25.00, and you can pay in the fly shop. See you there!
St. Joe River
The flow is reading ice at Calder. Now I know there is good open water down low on the river around Calder. The big warm up next week may kick some big ice chunks down river. So, pay attention if you are wading in the deep stuff! We should be in for a killer summer guys with all this snowpack. I am super excited for it. Anytime we can still have snow runoff in July and August it is a good thing for our trout. I would stick with the above-mentioned rigs. You’ll want to get the nymphs down in the slower pools and/ or your streamer and let them get down on the bottom. Keep tension on the line as the takes on the streamers now can be pretty gentle. It is coming soon guys, it is going to be awesome!
Clark Fork River (MT)
The flow is 2,550 cfs at St. Regis, and the Clark Fork should be fishable now, guys. Not sure about the boat launches, but there are access points on foot that will allow you to do some walk/wading now. This coming week should be good. Once the snow blows through today and tomorrow, it is supposed to be in the mid-40s in St. Regis and partly sunny. These are perfect conditions to go over and throw a nymph rig or maybe see a fish or two eating midges off the surface. I like throwing a bigger size #10 or #12 pheasant tail nymph or 20-incher followed by a red or black bead head zebra midge larva. Or, you’ll want to use a skinny nelson in a bigger size like a #16 with a hare's ear soft hackle under an indicator in the foam pools. The back eddies and foam pools are good places to check out too as the water can be a little slower there and warmer as well. Plus, stonefly nymphs are good choices now also. The skwalas should be moving around as well as the golden stones and nemouras. And, bigger double bead stonefly nymphs or Pat's rubber legs are good lead flies, trailed by something smaller behind it. Get ready for a great year on the Clark Fork!
See past reports from the CDA region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.