Coeur d’Alene Fishing Report 11.2.2017
Coeur d'Alene River
Fishing is still great, but with the drop in the temperature later this week, that may change. We are expecting much cooler weather with a high possibility of snow. So, go out in the next couple days if you are going to do it. Start the morning with a nymph rig, smaller bead heads like Pheasant Tails, Princes, Copper Johns. Streamer fishing will be a viable option as well. Throw small, black Wolly Buggers, Sculpins, but keep them slow on the retrieve or almost a dead drift. Midday should produce good top water action. Same bug options as the last couple of weeks: BWO's #16-20's, Mahoganies #14-16's, small X-Caddis #18-20's, small soft hackles #16-20's and October Caddis #6-10's.
St. Joe River
This water is fishing well, but not for long. Your window for good hatches and dry fly action will be short in the day with rising fish from noon until dusk. The fish will be in flats and pools now. You may find a few in the riffles, but tail outs and pools will be the most productive. Same bug choices as the Coeur d' Alene, BWO’s, Mahoganies, October Caddis. A big, orange stimulator with a smaller bead head for a dropper will be a good searching setup early on moving to BWO’s and smaller bugs later. By Friday we'll have snow up high, so the pass over Wallace and St. Regis may not be passable; consider coming in through St. Mary’s.
Clark Fork River (MT)
Fishing is good. This overcast weather is optimal for the Clark Fork. BWO hatches will be fantastic this week with larger Mahoganies in #12-14 likely culprits for some good takes. An optimal rig now would be a CDC-wing Mahogany with a soft hackle or a BWO adult as a dropper. There are a few Octobers coming off late, but not many. However, they are still getting attention. Keep them moving and you will see better results. Cast tight to the banks and skitter them away quickly, and repeat. Get it while it's good guys and gals, this may be our last week of good fishing unless it warms up again. The forecast calls for snow, so be careful going over the pass.