Sandpoint/Ponderay Report 11.16.17
Clark Fork River (ID)
Flows are rising and dropping from 6,000 to 18,000 cubic feet per second daily. But, as of late, the river has held at 6,000 cfs for most of the day. That means the lake has reached its resting level for winter. The water continues to stay crystal clear, and it should’t begin to muddy up until spring. By now, this river is in full swing (lame pun intended). There isn’t much in terms of hatches, so most fisherman are turning to sink-tips and streamers. I have heard of a couple nice cutthroat caught on flies like a silver #4 Skiddish Smolt and on a #8 Sculpzilla. Warm afternoons have fished best. I wouldn’t bother waking up early unless you really need to get away from the in-laws.
Lake Cocolalla
Fishing has been good, but it won’t last long. Freezing temperatures are coming, and the hard-water fisherman will soon take to the lake. Most of the trout are still feeding from the surface to about 10 feet down, so there is no need to bring a fast sinking line. A trusty slow-sinking Rio Camolux line should do the trick. The lake is a dirty greenish color, so fish hard, and cover water slowly. Try stripping flies like an olive #6 Woolly Bugger, or a copper #4 Articulated Sparkle Minnow. Big browns and rainbows can’t resist a big flashy fly when it’s dancing in their kitchen.
Kootenai River
The discharge out of the Libby Dam reads at 4,100 cfs. The flows surprised us all this week when it stepped down from 15,000 to 4,100 cfs. Traditionally, the flows slowly climb higher and higher into the winter. Now that the flows have dropped, wading the Kootenai from shore is a realistic possibility. BWO’s and midges might pop on a warm afternoon, otherwise it’s nymphing and swinging. For dries, pack a couple #18 BWO Film Critics and #20 Hatching Midges. For the nymphers, try a purple #8 Pat’s Rubberlegs and a #18 Red-Headed Step Child. And, for those who swing, an olive #4 Stinging Smolt and a white #4 Circus Peanut could haul in a fat hog. We’ve got the flies so stop in before you leave.
See past reports from the Sandpoint/Ponderay area here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.