Page 113 - North 40 Outfitters

How do you Catch a Fish? Today, I had the opportunity to teach students at Sandpoint's Home School Academy the basics of conventional fishing, and fly fishing. The morning started off with general knowledge of how to catch fish, what lure/flies are meant to imitate, and what species we have in Lake Pend Oreille. After finishing up with the importance of catch and release and invasive species, it was time for a little Q and A. I received questions varying from "Are perch afraid of humans?" to "If you're swimming next to a whale in the ocean, will it hurt you with its tail?" Talk about keeping your head on a swivel. I answered all of the questions to the best of my knowledge, although I have never swam with whales. Complete Naturals Once all of the questions were answered, it was time to load up in the bus, and head to Lakeview Park for ...

During the months of September to the middle of October we have a very awesome fishery down at the Hanford Reach area. This stretch of the Columbia has the highest return of Chinook salmon in the entire Columbia River system. Last year we almost hit a million Chinook returning to their spawning grounds on the Columbia. This a 50+mile of natural free flowing stretch of the Columbia River, with heavy fast moving currents. This can make an experienced fisherman new to this area, look very intimidating to fish. This stretch of free flowing water and fast current speeds means it's time to do some back trolling! Here are a few techniques to help you put more fish in your boat... There are a couple ways you can back troll down at the Reach. One of the most popular techniques are running cured eggs behind a size 50 Jumbo Jet Diver. Running eggs ...

With the seasons and weather changing, I have had the itch BAD to throw streamers with the hopes of hooking something big and brown. Although recent reports haven't been great on the Clark Fork River, I thought I could crack the code. Started on the water at 7:30 a.m. and fished until 6:15 p.m., so if you are looking for an accurate fishing report, here it is. Curious how the river is doing? Check out the current river flows here We probably fished 8 of the 10 miles on the Clark Fork, hitting every secret spot imaginable with not a whole lot to show for it. My best fly was a #6 Olive Egg Sucking Leech swinging through gorgeous seams. We brought our fast sinking lines to get down deep in those 20ft+ holes, only to hook a couple healthy Pike Minnows. Mid-day, there was a light hatch of some grey #14/16 mayflies that brought up some s...

Last Saturday was absolutely beautiful on the Coeur d'Alene River. Mahoganies, caddis, and BWOs were hatching. The sun would occasionally tuck behind some clouds prompting the trout to rise with less wariness, which was nice because they tend to be very particular this time of year after being harassed all summer long. Want to know how the river is doing? Check out current river flows here This weekend is looking a bit soggy, which means you should probably blow the dust off your streamer box. Olive and tan sculpin patterns will always draw strikes, but don't hesitate to try a flashy fly like a Kraft's Kreelex or Sparkle minnow on cloudy days. As far as bugs go, the mahogany and BWO hatch should still be going strong, so have your 5X ready too. If you find the fish are refusing your fly, try using the most subtle dry fly in your box. I p...

Bugs are hatching and fish are up, so the dry fly guys are happy. Nymphing is strong, so anglers who want numbers of fish can get them. Streamer fishing is good, so if you get a charge out of the tug, you can get charged up. Water temps are currently in the peak zone of trout happiness. Lowering temps will eventually slow things down a bit, but we should see great fishing opportunities for several weeks. Want to know how the river is doing? Check out the current river flows here On the dry fly side, there have been some epic hatch days in the lousy weather of late. The lower river is showing more of the larger BWO’s while the upper is seeing more of the tiny little pseudos. Some caddis are also about including a few of the big Octobers. Lots of nymphs are working, but it’s hard to beat the venerable zebra midge. Unless you fish the v...

With apple harvest still going strong, I knew Luke had not had much time to hit the water of late. Last time I saw him, he was looking like he was in need of some fishing time. After checking the weather forecast for Sunday, I called Luke and asked if he was up for some time on the water. He told me, "I'll see you in the morning, I'll bring the boat." We hit the lake at about 10:30 in the morning. The weather forecast said little to no wind, well that was almost true. We ran down lake, but as we did the wind picked up and proved too much for us. Once we got closer to the north end, it was a lot more pleasant. We started out with the bigger streamer patterns that normally work for us. The action was okay, but the takes were of a half-hearted effort by the fish. We dropped the size of our streamers and start to get more positive action fro...

4:30AM Titusville, FL July 16th 89 Degrees It feels like I was at the Costa sunglasses party only an hour ago. In fact, it’s been a quick six hours of sleep, sushi, and a short drive from Orlando, Florida to the Casa Coquina Bed and Breakfast in Titusville, Florida. We checked into an 89 year old bed and breakfast, which sits beside the Indian River. I woke up to the sound of a gong and our ring leader, Joe Lamantia   from Mid-States, flipping on lights. Paul Considine, our buyer, Rob Bolke also from Mid-States, and I cleared the Costa party blur from our eyes. Looking around, we found ourselves waking up in a museum of world market items, in a room named the Black Pearl. Coffee was waiting for us, and so was our guide, Scott Macalla of Backcast Charters.  I bought two hot dogs, slow roasted at the gas station for brunch on the boat...

Whether you have only caught bits of a discussion on lines for two hand rods in a fly shop, or have been chasing steelhead with them since their modern conception, it is quite obvious everyone has an opinion on which line system is the proper tool for certain steelheading scenarios. Unfortunately, many speak in terms of absolutes. In such a complex sport there is no such thing, rather just a preferred method to maximize enjoyment and appreciation for the fish we pursue. And finally, there is more than one way to catch a fish. You can check current flows around Lewstown here. I believe if one wants to have the fullest appreciation for the natural abilities of Snake River basin steelhead, you must encounter one, with a fly, somewhere near the surface. Making the connection to a summer steelhead, a fish that has little to no business eating...

Nestled at the base of the Pasayten Wilderness, north of Winthrop, Washington, are the cold, clear waters of the Chewuch River.  The Chewuch is the beginning of a modern day success story with its contribution to natural rearing of Methow River steelhead and salmon. Natural preservation of its headwaters in the Pasayten Wilderness and quality land management by its neighbors lends itself to a pristine river shed surrounded by the beauty of the high desert meeting the pines. To preserve the spawning habitat of the Chewuch, her waters have been closed to steelhead fishing for decades. One of the grand gestures we’ve done to help preserve these wild fish shouldn’t we all have a sacred refuge? Luckily, we can still enjoy these holy waters even just for a brief time. For the past 10 years or so, the river has opened the Saturday before Me...

The near 80-degree temps we've been experiencing this week are coming to an end, which means some great fall fishing is right around the corner. The streamer bite has been really good on the Spokane River lately, especially first thing in the morning. I was able to fish a stretch in the valley on my way home from work this week and managed to land a few fish on an olive sculpin pattern. Want to know how the river is doing? Check out the current river flows here October caddis are showing up more and more each day, so don't forget to bring some burnt orange bugs in a size 8. I like the ones that float high and have rubber legs... Want to try out some new flies? Check out our fly selection here We've got a great assortment of all the flies you'll need. So come on in and get 'em while the fishing is hot!

Steelhead drive some people crazy. Searching for that perfect moment in time when it all comes together and the personal reward has reached its apex, sometimes it’s few and far between. For myself, and many others, seeking out steelhead with a swung fly is the pinnacle of fishing. Practicing casts with an imaginary rod and "feeling" the take mentally consumes a large part of my day. I probably look like a raver trying to figure out a new dance move while I picture that cast in my head and my arms move without even knowing it. I love theories. Especially fishing theories and, coming from a background in physics, this may come natural to me. Fishermen literally drive themselves nuts with theories, and steelhead fishermen may be some of the worst. Theories on such ineffable topics as why a winter steelhead in a sun baked run ate the strin...

Is the Missouri River any good right now? How is the Missouri River fishing? Is the Missouri River any good yet? Have you been fishing at all? Do you live in a cave? Sorry. I know people are busy. I know they have other important things that occupy their time away from work. I know not everyone goes fishing every spare moment they can get away with. My wife wishes I did not always have to go fishing, but it’s what I do. So my answer? It’s good right now. The Missouri River is fishing well. Lots of people are saying it’s really good. I’ve been out a bunch. I might even be out right now. If you like fall like I do, then just going fishing on any given day is worth it. The catching is always variable and subjective, but if you are a complete angler, you can find plenty of willing fish on any given day. By a complete angler, I mean a...