Coeur d’ Alene Fishing Report 10.19.2017

—North 40 Coeur d’ Alene

Coeur d'Alene River

Get it while it's good guys. I fished yesterday afternoon and it was exceptional. I found fish in very shallow water eating small blue winged olives (BWO's) in a size #18 or #20. There were some smaller Cinnamon Caddis out as well that the fish were giving attention. So a size #16 X-Caddis or a regular Elk Hair Caddis in the same size would be great as well. I really only fished for a short period from about 1:00 to 4:00 and there were plenty of fish up and would have expected them to keep feeding until dark.

I did fish a large orange stimulator #6 starting out, with hopes of a good explosive October Caddis eat, and no such luck, but I only gave it about 15 minutes. I'd expect that it would have changed later towards dark as this is usually when the majority of the Octobers come out and then the fish typically key in on them at that point. It was in the high 50's yesterday and very sunny as well.

So when picking a run to fish this time of year try and get the sun behind the fish or down stream of them and this will give you happy fish. You will notice it much easier to spot your tiny bugs too. The fish really don't like direct upstream sun light when feeding, so typically later in the day they will start to feed on top or in the shade mid day.  So look forward to some great fishing this up coming week as we are suppose to get some overcast and rain and still be in the mid 50's, so this will have the fish on big time. Also a heads up we are having open fly tying sessions here at the fly shop on Saturdays through the winter. We will have the coffee on and doughnuts too, will start the sessions at 10:30 every Saturday. See you then.

St. Joe River

No recent reports as of late, but I'd suspect it's been as good as the Coeur d’ Alene. I would take a look at the lower river now from lets say Marble Creek down. It is still very floatable now but pick your float right as the days are shorter and the flows are low. So if you get hung up on that killer pod of risers early on in the float you'll be pushing the later half of the float which can be some of the best fishing of the day. Bugs are going to be very similar to the Coeur d'Alene River, BWO's #18-22's, mahoganies' #12-16's, Caddis #16-20's, October Caddis #8-6's.

Nymphing and streamer fishing should produce as well, but down size your nymphs a bit, think more #14-20's. Fish your streamer a little slower too, early mornings should be good streamer fishing, just keep your retrieve on the slow side. It would be good prudence to check with the Forest Service before heading over either Moon Pass or Gold Pass to get to the upper St. Joe due to the recent snow and upcoming as well. Coming up from the lower end through St. Maries will be your safest bet.

Clark Fork River (MT)

What a great river this time of year. I am usually in full blown steelhead mode right now, but I decided to wait a bit on the steelhead game this year. Man what a great decision. I have fished the Clark Fork the last two Mondays and it was incredible. If you can catch it on an overcast day, go. You will see way more fish up on an overcast day generally any time of year on the Clark Fork, but this time of year it can be even better. You will see tons of BWO's and mahoganies will be the main players, with a few smaller caddis in the mix.

Nymphing was great as well, the tandem small bead head rig was fantastic in the riffles. A shorter float this time of year will pay dividends so you can take your time on the pods of fish and the days are shorter any how. So there is a pretty big front coming in today and we are expecting a big change in the weather. The wind will not be your friend this week as the front pushes in, but after the wind subsides and we have some overcast it will be awesome.