Coeur d'Alene Fishing Report 05.16.19

Coeur d'Alene River

Looks like we are going to get a break in the high flows for a bit.  This morning the CdA is on the drop and is flowing at 4,770 cfs.  Now, this is still fairly high but fishable.  The water clarity is good and improving.  However, in about a week from now the Northwest River forecast is saying we are going to get another good bump in flows.  This is spring in Idaho for you.  Up and down, up and down.  We did get some good reports from over the weekend that fishing was steady and that there was good bug activity, with lots of March browns, rusty spinners, a few pmds, caddis, and lots of stoneflies, plus, both golden stones and salmon flies.  I suspect that we will see some yellow sallies soon too.  Nymphing and streamer fishing has been solid as well.  So, stay in tune with the flows as we should get a break in the really big flows this week.  Please be careful though, as the flows are still very strong and floating and wading this time of year can be dangerous.

St. Joe River

The St. Joe River is bigger and getting bigger!  I floated this yesterday from Avery to Calder.  The Joe is at 8,630 cfs.  I cannot stress enough: if you are new or a rookie on the oars, now is really not the time to learn to float the rivers.  The float from Avery to Calder is roughly 20-plus river miles and we were able to do it in roughly half a day.  It is just going to get bigger.  The forecast shows flows topping at 15,000 cfs in a week from now and then a decline.

Now, if you know where to look, there are a few spots to wade or fish from the bank, but not many.  There are fish up eating March browns fairly well in a few soft pockets but it’s short-lived.  Recently, we threw a streamer here and there with no luck.  Oddly, as this is what I'd think they'd key in on in the high flows.  But heck, with logs, trees, and all sorts of debris in the water I'm surprised they could see anything. From now to maybe two weeks from now, we really won't be fishing the St. Joe much.  You’ll want to look for flows at 6,000 cfs and dropping to get back on the river with good success.

Clark Fork River (MT)

A big "NOPE" here, folks.  Flow at 27,000 cfs and climbing at St. Regis is no bueno in my book.  It will probably be three to four weeks out for good flows.

Local Lakes

Hayden, CdA, Fernan, Twin, Spirit, Cocolalla, Round, Chains; all of the lakes are fishing really well now.  And, they are a solid decision over most of our trout streams now.  The crappie fishing on all the lakes has been really good with larger than normal fish coming out of Hayden and Twin.  Fernan has been good for crappie as well as bass and trout.  CdA and Hayden have been producing lots of big Pike too.  Sunny days in the mornings over shallow weed beds have been the trick.  Large profile flies on floating lines will work fine too, just keep covering water and get out early and stay late.  You’ll want to look for downed trees for suspended crappie.

Also, small bead head nymphs and beaded San Juan worms in pink, red, and orange will do great.  Lots of flying ants on all of the lakes too.  Plus, Cocolalla has been producing well.  There are tons of fish up on the surface eating the ants and also callebeatis mayflies.  You’ll want to have plenty of soft hackles for these situations on the lakes as the soft hackle fishes very well when these hatches are going off on the local lakes.  Some topwater action with poppers for smallies and largemouth is decent now too.  Small foam beetles or ants is the ticket for the crappie and bluegill.

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