Coeur d’Alene Fishing Report 11.22.17

Coeur d' Alene River

Well, we have actually been getting some decent reports from the Coeur d'Alene lately. We went from snow and 30 degree temps to mid-to high 40's and are expecting mid-to high 50's this week. So this will for sure have some fish looking up mid-day for some blue-wing olives and midges. They could be pretty selective, so a longer, lighter leader may be in order. Ten to 12-foot leaders down to 6X may be necessary. Nymphing the pools should be effective as well. Small beadhead nymphs or brassies might do the trick. I like a simple red wire brassie with a bead head, and a size 16-20 Pheasant Tail behind it. A slowly presented streamer works too—just make sure to get low and slow.

St. Joe River

No recent reports, but I'd say it will fish similar to the Coeur d'Alene. Probably no need to venture very high on the Joe now. Keep your efforts down low in the slower water and pools. Again blue wing olives and midges are the hatches to match. Might not be a bad idea to try nymphing with a smaller egg pattern now, too. San Juan worms can work very well this time of year, especially with the rain we have been getting. The passes from Wallace and St. Regis will be impassable so come in through St. Maries.

Clark Fork River (MT)

With the warmer weather, you would do just fine on the Clark Fork. There may even still be some mahoganies floating around. Blue wing olives, mahoganies and midges should be your go-to bugs up top. Tandem nymph rigs produce just fine as well. It would be a great floating option now, too. A Pat's Rubber Legs and a Pheasant Tail or Prince Nymph in #12-14# is a good searching rig between pods of risers. The topwater action may be short-lived, so get out there while the weather is relatively mild. True winter and ice floating down the river is near.

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