Coeur d'Alene Fishing Report 08.23.18
Coeur d'Alene River
The Coeur d'Alene River is fishing well right now. However, the fishing is getting a bit more technical with the lower water and warmer conditions. We are expecting some cooler weather though and rain hopefully by the first part of next week. This should do wonders for the fishing but more importantly the fires. The nights are getting cooler and this is a good thing for the morning fishing.
The early morning hopper fishing should be great, but there is no need to go big. You’ll want to keep them in smaller sizes like 10-12's. We are also getting our early fall micro ant hatch now. These guys are small in the 18-22# range. These are best fished behind a pmd or a hopper as an indicator. I find that a little breeze or a windy day is actually a good thing for these guys. They are a flying insect. When it's windy, they get blown into the water and then the magic happens. The caddis are still strong in the afternoons and the rusty spinners are still a player too. Soft hackles swung in the riffles will always produce results in the late afternoons and evenings.
St. Joe River
The St. Joe River is still fishing great. The Joe really shines this time of year. The fish will be a bit more selective, but this is why we do what we do. You’ll want to look for fish podded up in the tail outs and flat water that are sipping pmds or the tiny ants that are out. You will also still find plenty of fish in the riffles and pocket water too, and the hopper dropper set up will do fine in this type of water as well.
Don't forget about our friends, the streamers. The streamer can still produce great this time of year, and as always, you will find the bigger guys with the streamer. No need to go big on the streamer either. Smaller sculpzillas and near nuff sculpins in olive or black will do fine. The chubby chernobyl is still kicking butt up on the Joe too. Color is not as big a factor as size is. We had a good report in today that the bigger sizes are actually outshining the smaller sizes. Yellowjacket and bee patterns are good now too, along with the beetle. The standbys are still getting it done too, orange and yellow stimmies in 10-12-14's, plus, pmxs are fishing well too. Finally, we are now coming into some of the best fishing of the year. September and October are my favorite time of year to be out on our rivers.
Clark Fork River (MT)
The Clark Fork River is fishing well. There are good reports here as of late. Fish are podding up in the flats and eating pmds, tricos, and rusty spinners too. Again, pretty technical, but it’s all good fun. The small ant is a big player here too. Also, the chubby, with a small ant dropper or a Morrish hopper with an ant dropper, is a killer searching set up for this time of year. Nymphing with smaller bead heads in the foam lines and riffles will still get it done too. And, bigger crayfish patterns are great if you are getting frustrated with the picky sipping fish in the flats. You’ll want to try ripping a leggy crayfish pattern off the bank about as fast as you can. You might be surprised with the results. Stay late, if you can, for the caddis. The caddis hatches will continue throughout the late fall and is a big player for Clark Fork fish. This following week should be off the hook good if we can get the rain and overcast weather they are calling for. This can make the Clark Fork go from a sleeping giant to some of the best fishing you will ever have.
See past reports from the CDA region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.