Sandpoint Idaho Fishing Report 07.25.19
We just had some intense thunderstorms that brought a brief cool down and moisture to the region. Higher elevations and oxygenated waters will have healthy trout and some summertime opportunities. Down low, waters are warming and flows are low. Focus your efforts to bass and pike on the big lake. Plus, warm water fly fishing is a great way to give the trout a break during the dog days of summer, and Sandpoint is the perfect location to do just that.
Current Conditions
Lake Pend Oreille - Boat traffic is increasing and will continue through the upcoming hot days. The early morning and evening bass fishing has been good. Check out the evening and nighttime Hex hatch. Smallmouth will chase Hex nymphs to the surface and then feed on them at night. For pike, Denton Slough is the best bet. Focus on weed lines and deeper slots. Chartreuse and red are good go-to colors to use. Largies can be caught around woody structure, reeds, and back bays.
Clark Fork River below Cabinet Gorge Dam - Here, there is a low water drawdown in effect for new fish passage construction at Cabinet Gorge Dam. Fish will be stressed out with flows going from 35,000 cfs to under 600 cfs. So, stay off the water and give the fish some time to get through the drawdown period.
Kootenai River at Leonia, ID - The Kootenai is still fishing well. Dry fly action is good in the morning hours still, so drop the boat in early if possible. Caddis and assorted mayflies are the predominant hatches at the moment. Try using dry-droppers with caddis emergers or pmd emergers. Small streamers can pull fish off the upper water column. There are sculpins around, so streamers will move fish as well. With sink-tips and larger streamers, you always have a chance at a larger trout but don’t expect the numbers.
Thompson River near Thompson Falls, MT - The river has dropped dramatically, and the fishing has slowed a bit. Focus your efforts on the upper runs and riffles where there’s plenty of oxygen. Try using smaller dries like parachutes and caddis patterns. There are intermittent hatches of golden stones still happening too. Dry droppers are still the way to go. Indicators will spook fish in most runs and holes. Occasionally, throw a small streamer to draw out your most aggressive trout.
Local Lakes -Â Trout fishing has slowed down on local lakes in the increased temperatures. Cocolalla has been producing good smallmouth fishing. If you want trout action, full sink lines and unweighted or booby style flies will produce. Your high mountain lakes above the timberline will produce fun trout opportunities for cutties and brookies willing to take most dry fly patterns, pheasant tails, or wooly buggers.
Match The Hatch
Lake Pend Oreille – Hexagenia – Foam Hex #6-8, Mohican Mayfly #10, May’s Identity Crisis #6, Zirdle (Tan) #8. Dragonflies and Damsels – Lake Dragon, Rowley’s Grizzly Dragon, or Chan’s BMW, assorted sizes. Crawfish – Sweet Baby Cray, Bassmasters, and the Grim Reaper. Forage Fish – Lowfat Minnow-Bluegill 1/0, Hud’s Bushwhacker 2/0 in assorted colors, Murdich Minnow- Baby Rainbow #4.
Clark Fork River – Caddis – Elk Hair Caddis Tan #12-16. BWO – Challenged Baetis #16-18, Spotlight May BWO #14-18. Midges – Hanging Midge #20-22, Griffith’s Gnat #18-22. Stoneflies – Chubby Chernobyl - Gold #10-12, Stimulator- Yellow #12. Attractors – Purple Haze #12-16, Parachute Adams #12-16, Hippie Stomper Pink, Purple, Red #12-14.
Kootenai River – Tan Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, CDC Bubbleback Emerger #14-16, Party On Top Caddis #14-16. Stoneflies – Chubby Chernobyl Pink, Gold, Purple, Red #10-12, Stimulator- Yellow #12, Pat’s Rubber Legs Coffee/Black #8-10 Tan/Brown #8-10. PMDs – Parachute PMD #14-16, Hi Vis Spinner PMD #14. Attractors – Purple Haze #12-16, Chubby Chernobyl Purple, Pink, Red #8-10, Chartreuse or Red Humpy #14, Crystal Stimulator Yellow #10-12.
Thompson River – Caddis – Tan Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, LaFontaine’s Emerger #14-16, Corn Fed Caddis #14-16. Stoneflies - Chubby Chernobyl Gold #10-12 Olive #10-12, Stimulator- Yellow #12 Olive #12, Lime Trude #14-16, Snowshoe Sally #14-16, Pat’s Rubber Legs Coffee/Black #8-10 Tan/Brown #8-10. PMDs – Parachute PMD #14-16, Hi Vis Spinner PMD #14. Attractors – Purple Haze #12-16, Chubby Chernobyl Purple, Pink, Red #8-10, Chartreuse or Red Humpy #14, Crystal Stimulator Yellow or Orange #10-12.
Need to fill the box before you go? Order flies online here.
Tips & Techniques
Summer heat can really put a damper on streams. Trout will get stressed in water that is too warm due to low oxygen levels. Healthy fish will be found in riffles, near springs, and near shaded areas. If you fish in marginally warm waters; play, revive, and release trout as quickly as possible. Bass and pike fishing is a great summertime alternative to trout fishing throughout the dog days of summer.
See past reports from the Sandpoint area here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.