Coeur d’ Alene Fishing Report 10.26.2017
—North 40 Coeur d’ Alene
Coeur d'Alene River
Fishing is still great. Early morning fishing is slow, so have a late breakfast and roll to the river about midday. The weather's been unbeatable and looks to continue. Mid-50's to low-60's in the forecast, so even bright days will have great fishing. On the menu for these fish: blue-winged olives #16-20's, mahoganies #14-16's, x-caddis #16-18's, stimulators #6-10's, soft hackles #14-16's. Nymphing will be alright, same as streamer fishing, but the dry fishing will be awesome. October caddis are still around and fish will be on them late in the day into the dark. Fishing will be strong this next week with the warmer weather, so get out and get after it.
St. Joe River
Fishing solid. Your window for top water action will be shorter the further up the canyon you go. Same bug game as the Coeur d'Alene. Blue winged olives, mahoganies, small caddis, small bead head nymphs, black and olive wolly buggers, orange stimulators. Check with the forest service before you decide to make the trek over Moon Pass or Gold Pass as snow may become an obstacle.
Clark Fork River (MT)
Killer fishing. Again, early mornings have been slow, but be patient and you will be rewarded. Fish will be holding against the banks in the foam lines and mid-river, too. Search drop-offs and in the flats. Nymphing has been solid, so I'd start the day with a shorter, tandem beadhead rig. Pheasant Tails #12-18's, Pat's Rubberlegs, slender mayfly nymphs (like the Crust Nymph or Hogan’s), are all good options. The midday topwater game has been incredible with small blue wing olives (#18-20), mahoganies (#14-16), and soft-hackles all getting grabs. We have a good forecast with sunny days ahead, calling for mid-60's later this week. So, if you are getting tired of catching Grand Ronde steelhead and need a change of pace, give the Clark Fork a look.