Coeur d'Alene Fishing Report 05.23.19
The spring is shaping up nicely here in Coeur d’Alene. The weather is going to get warmer here by the weekend and this should make for lots of happy campers. Hatches are kicking off nicely and the trout are being cooperative as well. Not all the rivers are perfectly in shape but will be in a couple of weeks. The shop has been buzzing with customers getting ready for the great season ahead. Don't miss out on our big Memorial Day sale this weekend, great savings and a perfect way to start the weekend out.
Current Conditions
Coeur d'Alene River - Flows are dropping into summer levels as we speak. This is a superb flow and will shape up nicely for this coming Memorial Day weekend.  The dry fly fishing is getting really good now.
St. Joe River - The river is good/ decent and shaping up nicely for the weekend.  Looking at the snowpack levels this morning, the St. Joe has quite a bit more snow left in the hills than the Coeur d'Alene drainage. Flows around 5,000 cfs are much more manageable but still high compared to normal summer flows.  Come mid-June we should see flows more in the 4-5,000 cfs area -which is much more conducive to floating and wading.
Clark Fork River (MT) -  The Clark Fork is on the drop, but don't hold your breath.  The Northwest river forecast shows a good drop this week. It will go back up to almost 30,000 again the following week. There is a much greater snow pack over there than we received over here in the Coeur d' Alene area. So, we’re still three-plus weeks out yet.  Hang in there and get your fix on the CdA or the Joe the next few weeks.
Local Lakes;  Hayden, CdA, Chain Lakes, Twin Lakes, Spirit Lake, Fernan Lake, Cocolalla - All lakes are fishing well, but the last few days it slowed down a bit.  The cooler and windy weather has slowed the action a bit on the local lakes over the last two days.  Things are on the up and up with the coming warmer weather.  The smallmouth and largemouth fishing has been fantastic.  There have been lots of big largemouth bass have been caught over the last week.
Match the Hatch
The temperatures are going to climb as well, and this will bring more bugs out too.  There are still some March browns around, but we are starting to see pale morning duns too.  Stoneflies are still around too but not seeing as many.  You should start seeing yellow sallies and maybe a green drake here in a week or two.
Need to fill the box before you go? Order flies online here.
Tips & Techniques
For the Coeur d’Alene River, remember, if you are not seeing much activity on the surface, stick to nymphing and streamer fishing. On the Joe, I'd be doing more of the nymphing and, or, using a chubby chernobyl with a nymph dropper thing this week.  You’ll want to stay in the eddies and backwater where the water is slower.  This is where the fish will seek refuge to get out of the heavy flows.
On the lakes, fish are in tight to the shallows and willing to eat a delicately presented fly.  Any really heavy offering splashed down loudly will spook these big fish.  So, a subtler offering will entice them better.
We have a killer selection of new bass bugs you guys should come in and see.  From large keeled worm flies to rubber skirted rattle belly grim reapers, these are especially great because they offer lots of movement and a little rattle to seal the deal.
The pike are aggressive now and, in the shallows, prowling around.  A pike on a fly rod is an awesome thing.  If you have been thinking about getting into the pike on a fly game, we have your gear here.  Scientific Anglers has an awesome array of big tapered lines for just this, and we have many in stock.  From the Titan taper to the Magnum or MPX we can match your rod just right.  Picking the right line for this type of fishing can be the difference from enjoyable casting to downright frustrating and tiring.
Did you know…
So, in other exciting news up the river. Alberts landing is getting a makeover and new owners. They should be offering shuttles on the lower and upper river this summer. They are in the process of rebuilding. So, not sure on the status of the remodel but stop by and check in and see if they are able to help out with a shuttle. Things are shaping up for a killer season on the Coeur d'Alene. Stop by this week and get geared up for your trip up the river.
Also, The Big Eddy resort and restaurant on the St. Joe is under new ownership and may be doing shuttles too. There is no confirmation on the shuttles just yet as they are in progress of starting up for the season, but stop by and check in to see.
I had a great discussion with a pikeaholic today.  We both agreed if we had one bass and pike fly to fish, we'd pick a chartreuse and white Clouser minnow.  We have a great supply of these and other colors in this time-tested pattern.  If you are not familiar with this fly, I suggest you get in here and let us show you what they are all about.  Good luck out there, guys. It's just going to get better and better!
See past reports from the CDA region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.