NF CDA - North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hatches

Salmonflies
Grey drakes
Yellow sallies
Golden stones
PMDs soon

The Fishing

Fishing has stayed consistent on the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River. Flows are well below average for this time of year and aren’t forecasted to change much over the next week. This makes for great access on every part of the river. The smaller tribs are starting to fish better now with the drop in flows too. There is some cooler weather and rain in the forecast for the next few days, which could make the fishing a little funky, but it’ll recover quickly. Hatches have still been great, we are seeing Golden Stones, Salmonflies, Grey Drakes, BWO’s, Yellow Sallies, and Caddis. PMDs should start soon. I’d be throwing a dry-dropper rig in the morning and keeping an eye out for risers in the afternoon. Henry’s Fork Stone, Water Walkers, Chubby Chernobyls and Stimulators will be good big dry fly options. Paradrakes, Cripples, Brindle Chutes, Purple Haze and Caddis patterns will all play for the small dries. Perdigons, stonefly nymphs, prince nymphs, lightning bugs, all good dropper options.

Current Flow

Prichard = 607 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Prichard

Cataldo = 2410 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Cataldo

St. Joe River, Idaho

Hatches

Salmonflies
Golden stones
Caddis
A few grey drakes and March browns still
PMDs soon

The Fishing

Flows have dropped nicely over the last couple days. Definitely more water volume here than the CDA, which will limit wade fishing, especially higher up in the drainage. Floating below Marble Creek and wade fishing below Avery will be best. For bug hatches, Salmonflies are at their peak still. PMDs will likely be soon and still could see some grey drakes and March browns further up the drainage. Should be seeing Yellow Sallies and Caddis any day. Dry-droppers, euro/bobber rigs, streamers and small dries will all be in play. Similar fly patterns to the CDA recommendations will do the job.

Current Flow

Red Ives = 886 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Red Ives

Calder = 4240 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Calder

Miscellaneous

The Fishing

Still plenty of good lake fishing going on. We’ve heard some good reports on trout fishing from Amber, Coffeepot, Clear and Williams lake. Chironomids, Damsels and Callibaetis have all been hatching depending on where you are. Bass and carp fishing is also excellent right now. Look for bass up shallow around structure like docks and laydowns, carp will be up on shallow flats rooting around and starting to get into their spawning phase.

The general small stream opener in Montana is this Saturday 5/17. This opens tribs on the Clark Fork and many other streams around that region. Flows are cranking on most Montana drainages right now, but this will offer more options going forward.

Steelhead Rivers

The Fishing

Want to try something different? Smallmouth fishing on the Lower Grand Ronde is exceptional this month. Smolt colored streamers, craw patterns, sparkle minnows, really whatever you want to throw will work. I always make a point of getting down here at least once in May, it’s not uncommon to have a triple digit day of smallie fishing when conditions are prime.

Current Flows

Grande Ronde River at Troy - 3620 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Troy

Snake River at Anatone - 51600 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Anatone

Clearwater River at Spalding - 22800 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Spalding

Spokane River, Washington

Hatches

n/a

The Fishing

SPOKANE RIVER IS CLOSED TO FISHING AS OF 3/15/25

If you see someone fishing the river during the closed season, report to WDFW Spokane Office / (509) 892-1001

Non-emergency Violations & Poaching 1-877-933-9847

The river will re-open to fishing on May 24th this year (general stream opener, Saturday before Memorial day.)

Current Flow

7030 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Lower River / Post Falls