Sandpoint Idaho Fishing Report 08.15.19
The extended forecast is showing things heating back up to the mid/upper 70s and lower 80s during the upcoming days. We’ll see overnight temperatures hovering around the low 50s, so early morning and late evening fishing will remain best, with slower periods during the day. Trout fishing will take you away from the Sandpoint area, everything is either too warm or just too skinny. However, the Big Lake is a giant playground for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, pike, walleye, and more!
Current Conditions
Lake Pend Oreille - We will see a slow decrease of boat traffic over the next few weeks as the kids get ready to go back to school. However, shorter days and cooler overnight temperatures will bring fish towards shallower waters early and late in the day. Smallmouth are everywhere right now, so focus on docks and submerged structure. Hexagenia mayflies are still present in the evenings and at night, so cash in while they’re still here. Pike will occupy weedy areas near deep ledges and drops. Large streamers in red/white and chartreuse will do the trick, but topwater can produce big too. Flies like giant Dahlbergs and pike frogs can be good. In the evening, small poppers can offer some fun for bass along weedy areas and rocky structure.
Clark Fork River below Cabinet Gorge Dam - The lows will still be stressing some fish. Exercise caution while wading as much as possible. Flows can go from low to high in a hurry. Water speed and volume is what traps you at the start, not just height. Bugs around such as; pmds, midges, caddis, hoppers, and cahill mayflies. It’s best to have a selection of flies if possible. Find rising fish, and fish to them on top, then work down through the water column to find what they want. It can turn on and off like a light switch.
Kootenai River at Leonia, ID - The Kootenai has been fishing well. The recent rain and cooldown have helped water temperatures drop a bit. Daytime action can still be slow but find shade and structure and you’ll locate willing fish. Most of your fish are in the 14-inch range, with some 16 plus caught. Sink tips and sinking lines can pay off during the day – streamers will pick up some fish. Early and late are the best times to be on this river.
Thompson River near Thompson Falls, MT - Most of the fishing will remain in the middle section of the river where the mid-range tributaries initially come in. Small nymphs will get you going under dry attractors like stimulators and chubbies. Lightning bugs and rainbow warriors are good options for droppers, and you have the chance at a few really big whitefish this time of year. Caddis emergers will move smaller and more aggressive fish. Try some small streamers like she demons, sparkle minnows, and Clousers by swinging them across deeper cuts and ledges. Fight and release them quickly to avoid stressing them too much.
Local Lakes - Trout fishing has slowed down on local lakes in the increased temperatures. Cocolalla has been producing some good smallmouth fishing. If you want some trout action, full sink lines and unweighted or booby style flies will produce. Your high mountain lakes above the timberline will produce fun trout opportunities for cutties and brookies willing to take most dry fly patterns, pheasant tails, hares ears, or wooly buggers.
Match The Hatch
Lake Pend Oreille – Hexagenia – Foam Hex #6-8, Mohican Mayfly #10, May’s Identity Crisis #6, Zirdle (Tan) #8. Dragonflies and Damsels – Lake Dragon, Rowley’s Grizzly Dragon, or Chan’s BMW, assorted sizes. Crawfish – Sweet Baby Cray, Bassmasters, and the Grim Reaper. Forage Fish – Lowfat Minnow-Bluegill 1/0, Hud’s Bushwhacker 2/0 in assorted colors, Murdich Minnow- Baby Rainbow #4.
Clark Fork River – Caddis – Elk Hair Caddis Tan #12-16. BWO – Challenged Baetis #16-18, Spotlight May BWO #14-18. Light Cahills - #10-12 Light Cahill, #12-14 Usual, Rocky Mountain Mint #12 – PMD. Midges – Hanging Midge #20-22, Griffith’s Gnat #18-22. Stoneflies – Chubby Chernobyl - Gold #10-12, Stimulator- Yellow #12. Attractors – Purple Haze #12-16, Parachute Adams #12-16, Hippie Stomper Pink, Purple, Red #12-14.
Kootenai River – Caddis – Tan Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, CDC Bubbleback Emerger #14-16, Party On Top Caddis #14-16. Stoneflies – Chubby Chernobyl Pink, Gold, Purple, Red #10-12, Stimulator- Yellow #12, Pat’s Rubber Legs Coffee/Black #8-10 Tan/Brown #8-10. PMDs – Parachute PMD #14-16, Hi Vis Spinner PMD #14. Blue Quills – Parachute Adams #12-14, Rocky Mt. Mint #12 Adams, Adams Superfly #12-14. Attractors – Purple Haze #12-16, Chubby Chernobyl Purple, Pink, Red #8-10, Chartreuse or Red Humpy #14, Crystal Stimulator Yellow #10-12.
Thompson River – Caddis – Tan Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, LaFontaine’s Emerger #14-16, Corn Fed Caddis #14-16. Stoneflies - Chubby Chernobyl Gold #10-12 Olive #10-12, Stimulator- Yellow #12 Olive #12, Lime Trude #14-16, Snowshoe Sally #14-16, Pat’s Rubber Legs Coffee/Black #8-10 Tan/Brown #8-10. PMDs – Parachute PMD #14-16, Hi Vis Spinner PMD #14. Attractors – Purple Haze #12-16, Chubby Chernobyl Purple, Pink, Red #8-10, Chartreuse or Red Humpy #14, Crystal Stimulator Yellow or Orange #10-12.
Need to fill the box before you go? Order flies online here.
Tips & Techniques
If you are indicator nymphing, slack summer pools can be a tough place to do it. Bobber-style indicators like air-locks and thingamabobbers will plop on the water and can spook wary fish. The best alternative are yarn indicators, and I stand by the Loon outdoors tip toppers, which are a hydrophobic treated yarn indicator. Another yarn indicator to mention is the New Zealand Strike Indicator, which becomes much more in-line with your setup but requires a little more TLC while on the water.
See past reports from the Sandpoint area here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.