Sandpoint/Ponderay, Idaho Fishing Report 11.15.18
Clark Fork River (ID)
The flows on the Clark Fork below Cabinet Gorge have been better in the past week. Generally, they are ranging between 4,000 and 18,000 cfs, and drawn out overnight and into the mornings. I’ve been seeing only a few people fishing since the first snow flew last week. Bug activity has been minimal. However, a few caddis and mahoganies remain, along with standard midges. I’ve been catching plenty of cutthroat and smaller rainbows swinging small streamers and soft hackles. Stripping streamers such as a double dirty hippie or home invader will turn heads and give you the potential of hooking something big. Swinging patterns such as a bald eagle or stinging smolt will bring some nice trout to the net. Soft hackles in various colors with peacock bodies have been the ticket for me. Standard nymphing rigs will catch fish as well. Sinking lines and sink tips will help you along the way on the Clark Fork.
Lake Cocolalla
Coco is cooling off and throughout the month will trend with the impending freezing temperatures. The trout will continue to cruise the shoreline in about 5 to 12 feet of water. Sinking lines and tips, along with larger streamers ranging from a complex twist bugger to an articulated sparkle minnow, can produce fish. Using flies that move water are crucial in 1 to 2 feet clarity. Browns can be caught along the north side of the lake as well as rainbows and cutthroat. Drifting/pulling chironomids behind a float tube, kayak, or boat will produce, as cruising trout feed on these larger midges. With the colder weather, ice-up isn’t far away.
Kootenai River
The power release has begun on the Kootenai and the flows at Libby Dam are currently at 19,900 cfs. From now on, it’ll be a float only nymphing and streamer game. The clarity remains around 60 inches, so streamer colors such as white, tan, olive, and black will work on most days. Indicator nymphing is going to be a big part of the game right now. Baetis nymph fly patterns such as a #10 twenty incher or a #10 deep dish nymph under an indicator will roll fish. Don’t overlook midges, there will be plenty around this time of year.
See past reports from the Sandpoint/Ponderay area here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.