Sandpoint/Ponderay Fishing Report 11.30.17
Clark Fork River (ID)
This week, the flows have fluctuated daily, from 9,000 cubic feet per second to 28,000 cfs. For the Idaho side of the Clark Fork, this isn’t terrible. The flows are at least semi-predictable for most of the day. Water clarity has been excellent, even with the recent rain and snow. Although the water is clear, keep a good eye upriver for branches, logs, and trees floating on the surface—I was on the river a couple days ago and was surprised by how many logs drifted by. Fishing has been slow. A few fisherman are swinging up hearty cutthroat on black Sculpzillas and olive Woolly Buggers with 10 feet of a fast-sinking sink-tip. Nymphing flies, like a #14 BH Rubberleg Prince, a #18 gray UV2 mayfly, and a #20 silver Tufted Zebra Midge, might be the ticket on a slow afternoon. Right now, this is a good river to ease the pain of not fishing. Just don’t expect to catch a boatload.
Lake Cocolalla
A few trout are finding the hook on Cocolalla. Fishing hasn’t been hot by any means, but one can expect to hook into a couple chunky trout if you put in the time. Most of the trout are close to the surface, and along drop-offs. Stripping flies, like rust Baby Gonga and a #6 olive Slump Buster are good bets. This time of year, I prefer to fish with an intermediate fly line, such as Rio’s CamoLux. My preferred way to find fish is to start on one side of the lake, and slowly work the shorelines. I also keep my eyes open as the fish can sometimes be seen sipping midges off the surface.
Kootenai River
Flows jumped up from 20,000 cfs to 25,100 cfs on Wednesday. There is a good chance there will be debris in the water due to this increase, but the water clarity should remain fishable. The bite has been fair. Nymphing a #8 purple Pat’s Rubberlegs, a #16 olive Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear, and a #18 Crust Nymph BWO through deeper runs can be very productive. Personally, I love to break out my spey this time of year to practice casting and the Kootenai is a perfect river to practice on. Just be sure to throw on a 10-foot fast-sinking tip with a white Cheech Leech or a silver Sparkle Minnow. You never know what quality of trout you might hook into on the Kootenai.
See past reports from the Sandpoint/Ponderay area here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.