Coeur d'Alene Fishing Report 07.11.19

What a great summer in North Idaho.  Cooler temperatures, frequent rainstorms, cold water what more could you want?  Oh, lots of big fish eating dries like nobody's business?  Yeah, that's happening too. Historically we would be seeing some higher temperatures by now.  Mid-70s and low 80s are perfect if you ask me.  Fishing has been solid on all of our local streams and lakes too. 

Summer mode is upon us and we should be expecting hotter weather in the middle of July towards the first of August.  Prepare for thinking about fishing earlier and later in the days as this happens.  As always, the weekends are crowded with folks enjoying our waters.  Mid-week should be better and again early and late will prove better action.  Beating the crowds this time of year is all about being the early and late bird.  The middle of the day action is usually pretty slow on most streams.  So, pour an extra cup of joe and beat feet early to the river and you should be rewarded with lots of elbow room.

Current Conditions

Coeur d'Alene River  - There have been many great reports in from the last week.  We keep getting an occasional rain event over the last few weeks with clouds and this has helped greatly.  It looks like the foreseeable future holds consistent weather, and it’s warming up a bit too.  It’s time to get your A-game on as things can start to get more technical.  Smaller pmds in the mornings along with residual caddis from the evening prior will make for a stealthier approach. Hoppers should be out very soon if not already -beetles and ants too.  Plus, the caddis hatches in the evenings are great and will bring much fish to the surface. Finally, streamer fishing with smaller offerings has been great too.  The flows are low now and will keep dropping into the fall unless we get a really good rain event. 

St. Joe River - Incredible as always, this river never ceases to amaze me.  Such a healthy river and great water flow this year and the fish are being very cooperative.  I would still consider concentrating my efforts early and later in the day.  Not saying mid-day won't produce, but it will be quite a bit better at these times.  If you are fishing mid-day, look for faster riffles and pocket water.  High sticking a set of medium or smaller bead head nymphs will slay it in these spots.  An attractor like an orange stimulator with a shorter bead head dropper will be a great-searching rig too.  Don't forget about the terrestrials as well! Ants and beetles are really out now and the cutthroat love these.

Clark Fork River (MT) - Fishing has been solid here, folks.  Pick your float from Superior to St. Regis. It all has been fishing well.  Nymphing on a shorter leader in the faster pockets near the banks has been best.  Fish will come up to a larger chubby or foam rubber-legged patterns.  Early morning the pmds are out and you will find fish up in the flats set up in pods eating them.  Stay late in the evenings for the caddis.  The caddis hatches are off the hook now.  Swinging a soft hackle or tandem soft hackle set up in the foam lines and pools will get you into some very nice fish.  Streamer fishing has been good too. Try using some larger crayfish patterns as well.  Dead drifting them near the banks under an indicator with a San Juan worm dropper will work great.

Match the Hatch

Pale morning duns are a big player now on all of our trout streams.  Comparaduns, sparkle duns, hackle stackers and cripples typically in #16 to #18 will work well.  Caddis are the other big player now too.  You'll see residual caddis from the evening prior still bouncing around in the mornings.  Usually, the size of these guys will be smaller 16 to 20s.  Good old elk hair caddis, x-caddis, or a Goddard will work great here.  Soft hackles are such a great pattern for trailing behind either of these flies (pmd or caddis). We carry hatch specific soft hackle and sized appropriately for them too. Trail them 12 to 18 inches behind and dead drift them or swing them out at the end of your dead drift.

Beetles and ants are out. Especially, cinnamon flying ants. They are out big time.  Smaller beetles too.  J's green beetle or Jay's hi-vis beetle are both great here.  Start looking for hoppers.  There isn't a ton out yet -as it really hasn't gotten very hot yet but in the next few weeks, it will be on.  Plus, Rainey's head turner hopper is an amazing fly.  We have a good selection of them here and is one of the coolest hopper patterns I've seen in a while.  Hopefully, the weather stays cool like it has been and this will keep the fishing at it's optimum throughout the summer.

Need to fill the box before you go? Order flies online here.

Tips & Techniques

Beating the drum loudly here guys and gals.  Getting on the water early and staying late as things heat up will pay big dividends in two ways 1.) avoiding the crowds and 2.) better feeding fish.  The bright sun and hot temperatures are not favorites of the fish.  Luckily, we have had some nice temperate weather, but this will most likely not last long come August.  Give the fish a break mid-day and go looking for some shade and drink your favorite beverage and maybe catch a crayfish or two in the net.  Throw some rocks in the river and go for a swim.  Then, get back out there in the evening for some killer caddis fishing.  Keep your eyes out for rising fish in shady spots and near undercut banks.  As the water drops the fish look for any cover possible.  Knowing where to look is critical.  Don't be afraid of the wind either.  These windy or breezy days will be great for terrestrial fishing.  The wind will kick these bugs into the water and the fish know this.

See past reports from the CDA region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.