Spokane River, Washington

Hatches

Caddis
Salmonflies

The Fishing

Spokane: The Spokane River started off strong for opening weekend. We’ve all had a chance to get out the last few days and fishing was solid all around. Flows are sitting at a great level for this time of year. Typically, river levels are much higher for opening weekend and makes fishing tough. While some of the wade fishing spots are a bit limited, there’s plenty of fishable water on every stretch of the river. Fish are spread out in every water type right now and don’t seem to be concentrated anywhere in particular. We’ve had good action on the dry-dropper rigs, most fish taking the dropper mid-day but some good dry fly eats in the morning and late evening. Bobber and euro rigs have also been effective in some of the faster and more turbulent zones. The caddis hatch has been great with plenty of fish splashing around on the surface, so could definitely swing some softies or caddis dry fly. Chubby Chernobyls, Water Walkers or any large foamy bug have been working well for dries. Stonefly nymphs, caddis nymphs and soft hackles have been good for droppers.

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Current Flow

4520 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Lower River / Post Falls

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

Hatches

Salmonflies... a few left, not many
Yellow sallies
Golden stones
PMDs
Caddis
Green drakes

The Fishing

The North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene is in it's peak shape for the season and has been. May/June are really the two best months hear for hatches, temps, and water. Dry fly fishing has been great top to bottom. Depending on what stretch you are on can dictate what you see. A few big salmonflies were out this week still but fishing more mayfly stuff like drakes and pmd's or golden stones with droppers can be more productive. Terrestrials like ants have also started to really pick up. It's prime time here, I don't know what else to tell you to get you motivated! GO!

Current Flow

Prichard = 272 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Prichard

Cataldo = 1320 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Cataldo

St. Joe River, Idaho

Hatches

Salmonflies
Golden stones
Caddis
Drakes
PMDs
Yellow sallies

The Fishing

The St. Joe River has been a good option and is even better now that the water levels have dropped for wade fishing. Stones and chubbies with droppers are the go-to on most stretches of the river right now. Hatches of pmds and drakes can also be important so be prepared, caddis too. It's pretty much coming into prime time here as well just like the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene so it's time to get after it!

Current Flow

Red Ives = 645 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Red Ives

Calder = 2780 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Calder

Miscellaneous

The Fishing

Lake fishing is still a good option if you don’t want to head into Idaho or wait for the Spokane to open this weekend. We’ve heard good reports from Coffeepot, Amber, and Fish Lake. Typical patterns have been working such as leeches, chironomids and damsel nymphs. Bass fishing has been good as well, I’ve been fishing a variety of the local lakes lately and finding fish around docks, laydowns and transition areas. Carp fishing has been funky with cooler weather and overcast conditions. This will improve with more sun and warmer temps.

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 - 3880 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Troy

Snake River at Anatone - 47100 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Anatone

Clearwater River at Spalding - 16700 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Spalding