Coeur d'Alene Fishing Report 08.01.19
We are in full-blown summer mode now. We have consistently warmer temperatures but not as hot as years past for this time. It has been a blessing with the past storms and rain we have received. But it is now time to strategize on time of day and picking the right spots. Overall, fishing has been solid. Water on all of the rivers continues to drop as no real precipitation has come. Weekdays are going to be far less busy and quite the opposite on the weekends. Lots of folks are out enjoying the streams from fishermen and women to tubers galore. A good option in this heat in the middle of the day -cool drinks, a dip in the river with some friends, and it’s all good.
Current Conditions
Coeur d'Alene River - The fishing has still been solid. You just need to concentrate on the shady areas, fast riffles, and pocket water. Mornings will be good for pmd fishing and residual caddis from the evening prior -small though, use 18's-20’s are going to be the sizes of these bugs. So bring you’re A-game. The fishing will get far more technical as the summer progresses. Longer leaders and really good presentation. Hoppers, beetles, and cinnamon ants are all great options now as well.
St. Joe River - The Joe is good as always. This river continues to shine even in hot conditions. With its steep canyon walls on the upper river, there is no shortage of shady cool spots. Lots of diversity in the water too. Riffles and pocket water are going to be super trouty now. High sticking a dry dropper or tandem small bead head rig will slay it here. The lower river is still very floatable but skinny in spots. Bigger boats may rub a rock here and there but no big deal. As the lower river is more exposed during the day it can be more of a streamer or nymph game during the middle of the day.
Clark Fork River (MT) - This is fishing well. You better get on early and/ or stay till dark though. This river can be very tough during hot, sunny conditions. The crack of dawn with a small hopper bashed up against the bank with a beetle dropper and you'll roll some big boys. Ever try night fishing? This is a great time of year to do it. Also, full moon floats on the Clark Fork can be awesome. This is when the really big fellas come out to play -mouse patterns, big chernobyls, and streamers too.
Match the Hatch
Pale morning duns and caddis are going to be the main two players hatching now. There will be some rusty spinners in the evenings too. So hackle stackers, flag pmds, comparaduns, thorax duns are all great choices for your pmds. X caddis, elk hair caddis, cdc caddis will be the go-to flies for the caddis in the evenings. Hoppers, beetles, and cinnamon ants are all flying around now pretty well. Smaller hoppers like the Morrish hopper are favorites of mine. Trail them with a parachute cinnamon ant or small foam beetle. Keep after your soft hackles too. This is the perfect bug to run behind your pmd or caddis in the evenings. October caddis nymphs are in the shallows now so a tan mop fly under an indicator with a small San Juan worm will get some fish in the riffles.
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Tips & Techniques
Really try and focus on fast oxygenated water. Choppy riffles, pocket water, and heads of pourovers and shelves are spots the fish gravitate to now. Lower water conditions will push fish into areas that have cover and cooler water. The shade is a good thing. Please keep the fish in mind. The water temperatures are up. Try and fight the fish quickly and release them quickly too. You don’t always have to fish super light tippet or leaders now. Especially with streamer or nymph fishing. This will allow you to get the fish in quicker and off the hook quicker too. Try downsizing your nymphs. There are more mayfly and caddis nymphs active now. If you are fishing mid-day hit some pocket water with a pair of small 16-20# beadhead mayfly nymphs or caddis pupae. Or, consider using an October cased caddis nymph. These guys are migrating into the shallows now and the trout will be looking for them throughout the fall.
See past reports from the CDA region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.