Coeur d’Alene Fishing Report 12.7.17
Coeur d'Alene River
Fishing may slow this week. Cooler temps may have an impact on our fish. It will be nice and sunny, but not warm enough to make much difference. From the looks of the forecast, the sun should stick around for a few days so the rivers are still ice-free for the most part. Why not get out for a few hours and exercise the arm? Nymphing will be the way to go. You need to get your bugs down to the bottom, so make sure you’re running enough split-shot. Go for the classics: Pheasant Tails in #12-18, Prince Nymphs #12-18, Pat's Rubber Legs #10-12, Copper John's #12-16. The flows have come down quite a bit, so fish will have moved into the slower water. Concentrate your efforts there.
St. Joe River
No recent reports, but it will be tougher fishing this week. Still a viable option, but your window of opportunity will be short. The St. Joe won’t see much of the sun we are getting in the upper canyon or for that matter on the lower end around Calder. If I were to go up there, I'd pick water that is getting sunlight and some of the deeper slower moving water, then I would run a long nymph rig through the middle. Same bug selections as the Coeur d'Alene, so make sure to get your rigs down to the bottom. If the weather stays like this for the next week, the water up there will start getting icy and fishing will fall off.
Clark Fork River (MT)
Not a bad option, but you’ll have to work for your fish. Still floatable and the ramps around St. Regis are open. I wouldn't pick a long float now as the better fishing will be mid-to late day when the water has had a chance to warm up. Again, nymphing will be your go-to set up. I like to run a bigger stonefly and a Red Brassie, about a #12, this time of year. If no luck there, try a San Juan worm for your trailer. The upcoming weather will be great for a brisk early winter float, plus you'd most likely have the river to yourself.
Coeur d’Alene Fly Tying Classes
Next Tuesday the 12th is “Friends and Family Night” at North 40 Outfitters. We will have some killer deals in the shop, so come see us and stop by early and pick up a flyer for a chance to win a $200 gift card. There will be 25 percent off regular price toys, clothing and footwear, also 15 percent off regular prices on everything else in the store except for a few items. Come in to learn more.