Kootenai River Flow: 7,000 Cubic Feet per second, 8+ foot visibility, 51 degrees. Libby Dam outflow is expected to remain at 7 kcfs through August.
Fisher River Flow: 265 cfs
Yaak River Flow: 548 cfs
Thompson River: 351 cus
Fishing Report: The big flows are behind us! Inflow is down to 7 kcfs and should stay there through August. Dry fly fishing is turning on, and we are starting to see some good caddis activity in the evenings. Look for rising fish in slick pools, tail-outs, and in the seams and foam lines. Nymphing underneath of an indicator is still a safe bet to conjure up some fish during the middle of the day.
Small hoppers have been sighted on the river banks! Lot’s of hoppertunities coming down the pipe in the near future!
Hatches: BWO’s, Chironomids, Caddis, PMD’s, Crane Flies, various Stones increasing in the Troy reaches.
Effective Patterns
Dry: Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, Parachute Adams #14-20, Purple Haze #16-20, Kootenai Crane #10-14, Flying Ant #10-14, Tan Stimulator #8 and 10, Griffiths Gnat, small Golden and Olive Stones, Standard Adams, Red Quill,
Nymph and Streamers: Da Bomb, Beadhead Prince, Pheasant Tail, Stones and Midge Pupa, Soft Hackles. Black/Olive Conehead Wooly Buggers, Kokanee Killers, Thin Mint Buggers, Stone Bomb
The high-mountain lakes have iced out, and are beginning to fish pretty well. Try an Adams, an Ant, or an Elk Hair Caddis on top, or a good ol’ Wooly Bugger if nothing is looking up. Don’t forget bug spray, and BE BEAR AWAR
We have guides available, so get yourself on the books and come catch some of these Kootenai River Beauties with us! Also, come in and check out the fly shop for current patterns and all your fly fishing needs (and wants!)