Sandpoint Idaho Fishing Report 08.22.19
We have another warmup forecasted this week. Hit the water early and late. Mid-day can be a good time to chill streamside for an afternoon siesta or quick tying session, getting ready for the evening hatch. Lakes are predominantly a bass fishing game, trout will be deep, especially during the daytime hours. Tourist traffic is waning as kids head back to school. Shorter nights will mean cooler temperatures in the evenings in the upcoming months. Stay strong through the hot weather – it won’t be long now.
Current Conditions
Lake Pend Oreille - The dog days of summer persist. Bass fishing is persisting and you can find fish at most depths. Craw patterns like a sweet baby cray or RJ’s jiggy worm will get the best looks. Check out Denton Slough for largemouth bass and pike. Topwater can be effective early and late and on shaded weed edges and drop-offs. Hexagenias are still around, so cash in on some nighttime fishing if you have the chance.
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 are 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 - Fishing on the Kootenai on the Idaho side has been good and consistent this past week. The warm weather upcoming should offer great fishing early and late in the day. Mid-day lulls are normal in the clear water, being able to extend your presentation away from the boat will help your success rates. Fish to heads rising in calm pockets and riffles. Plopping a hopper or big tan or yellow chubby right on top of the head of a trout will get a rise out of them. Fish sink tips and streamers for a chance at some big fish – just don’t expect quantity.
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 most 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 with 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, RJ’s Jiggy Worm, 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. Tricos – Trico Spinner #18-22, Stanton’s Cut Foam Midge, Trico #18-22. 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 #14-18, Terrestrials – Donkey Kong Hopper #6-8, Beefcake Hopper #10, Hi-Vis Para Ant- Cinnamon #12, Hamburgler #12, Triple Double- Amber #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
When fishing from any sort of boat, river or lake, be cautious of where your shadows are being cast and where you are fishing too. High sun and clear water can be your worst enemy. Or, you could pull off your target and extend your presentations, offering a buffer between you and the fish, hopefully luring a fish out to strike your fly that has not yet seen the boat. Shadows will change throughout the day, so adjust your approaches accordingly.
See past reports from the Sandpoint area here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.