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

Hatches

Salmonflies
Grey drakes
Yellow sallies
Golden stones
Neumora
PMDs

The Fishing

Fishing has been excellent on the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River lately. Flows are perfect for anywhere on the drainage right now. Runoff is done here, so flows are only going to keep dropping going forward, barring any major rain events. There are all kinds of hatches going on depending where you are on the river. Below Shoshone, we are seeing Green and Grey Drakes, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s, BWO’s, Caddis… Pretty much you name it, it’s probably hatching right now. Venturing further upriver, expect to see the same along with some Salmonflies, March Browns and Nemouras still hanging around. Dry-dropper rigs are great for covering both parts of the water column until you dial in exactly what the fish are keyed on. Double dry setups are also effective during prolific hatches, giving rising fish more options to choose from. For the big foam bugs, Henry’s Fork Stones, Chubby Chernobyls, Stimulators, Water Walkers, and Emma Stones have all been productive. Brindle Chute, Purple Haze, Para Wulff, various Cripple and Emerger patterns have all been good for rising fish. Perdigons, stonefly nymphs, prince nymphs, lightning bugs, all good dropper options. This is peak season for the NF CDA, get it while it’s good!

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Current Flow

Prichard = 539 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Prichard

Cataldo = 2120 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

The Joe is looking good for the weekend. Flows have been on a consistent dropping trend for the last 10 days. The flow forecast does have the river rising over the next couple days, but I’d be pretty surprised if there is any significant increase in water levels. Still going to be a little limited if you’re venturing up above Gold Creek, but everything downstream will be very fishable. I’d expect to see plenty of variety for hatches. Still Salmonflies around, Golden Stones, BWO’s, Caddis, Yellow Sallies and some March Browns and Grey Drakes further upriver. No official PMD sightings here yet but I’d be bringing them along. Similar fly patterns to the CDA recommendations will do the job.

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Current Flow

Red Ives = 798 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Red Ives

Calder = 3740 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.

Spokane River, Washington

Hatches

n/a

The Fishing

The Spokane River opens this Saturday 5/24. Currently, flows are sitting at an excellent level for opening day. There will be areas that are a little pushy for great wade fishing, but creative anglers will be able to find fish no problem. Dry-dropper rigs with large Chubby Chernobyls and heavy Caddis nymphs are always a consistent bet. Should be a few Salmonflies hanging around the lower river, so have some big orange bugs at the ready. We will post a fresh update once we’ve all had a chance to fish the local river.

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Current Flow

6930 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Lower River / Post Falls

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 - 3500 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Troy

Snake River at Anatone - 49000 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Anatone

Clearwater River at Spalding - 20600 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Spalding