Labor Day Fishing Forecast

Summer is winding down, but not the fishing!

The shop will be closed Monday September 4th for Labor Day

As usual, summer has been flying by. I thought we might skate by without much of a fire season, but the recent local fires were certainly devastating and heartbreaking to see. We hope from here on out this cooler / wetter weather helps minimize anymore fire potential. The past month since our last update has been a hot and dry one like we typically see here and now with the shift towards more comfortable temps the fish and rivers will be prime for late summer action.

My top three choices for the next few weeks are the Spokane River, St. Joe, and NF Clearwater (Kelly Creek). Really though the Kootenai and Clark Fork should be on the radar too. The Kootenai fishes so well in the late summer heat, potentially better than anywhere else in the west in my opinion. While the fish tend to be “cookie-cutters” they are fun, full of energy, and love dry flies.

The guide crew has had a pretty consistent August on the Spokane River. Even on the hottest of days an early start, and early finish, proved to be productive. Jake, Kenyon, Jesse, Bjorn, and Randy all had positive things to say about the fishing. With the change in temps now and slightly longer nights some of the bigger fish are beginning to come out and play again.

Hatches this time of the year on the rivers are sparse. You can see a couple pmd’s, caddis, or a random stonefly like a golden or yellow sally, the most prevalent insects tend to be terrestrials (hoppers, ants, beetles). Aside from the terrestrials and small chubby chernobyls I’d pack some jig tungsten droppers (perdigons, spanish bullets, caddis pupa) to run under your foam dries and small parachute or midge types for picky risers in calm water. A spinner pattern can be the ticket too.

Steelheaders have been hitting the Clearwater River in Idaho. It’s not epic, but some fish have been swung and we are hopeful that the Snake and Ronde will have a few fish later in September too.

We appreciate your business this summer and look forward to helping you have a great rest of the season!