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

Hatches

March Browns
Samonflies
Drakes
Yellow Sallies
Pale Evening Duns

The Fishing

Flows have continued to drop, currently down to under 500 CFS at Prichard, which is half the flow we had on this day last year. Typically, these are the levels we see in June. There isn’t any more snow melt coming, so plan on getting after it sooner than later. Sean and Mike were able to get up here yesterday and had very good fishing. Top to bottom, every stretch is worth checking out. Water temps are colder up high, so hatches will take longer to get rolling the further up you go. They had success on yellow sallies, salmonflies, green drakes, caddis and march brown patterns. Prospecting with a chubby or stone and a dropper is always a go-to from here on out. It’s the time of year to see all kinds of hatches, so be prepared with the arsenal.


Lower North Fork Coeur d'Alene Floating Restrictions @ I90 Bridge Near
Cataldo: For both the 2025 and 2026 construction seasons, restrictions will once again be in effect from April through November inhibiting access, use and passage Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Boat launches outside of the work zone will remain available for use, though no one will be able to pass beneath the structure during working hours for safety reasons. Later in the summer restrictions may be changed or lifted depending on overhead work being done. Read more here: https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i90cataldobridges

Current Flow

Prichard = 473 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Prichard

Cataldo = 2460 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Cataldo

St. Joe River, Idaho

Hatches

March Browns
Skwalas
Salmonflies
Golden stones
Yellow Sallies
Drakes
Caddis

The Fishing

Pretty much has done what we expected over the last week. Flows have slowly crept up over the last several days, but not at a quick enough rate to hurt the fishing. Fishing is still best around and below Avery, flows will be swifter up high and road conditions are still rough. Bug hatches have stayed consistent with this warmer weather. Still March Browns, Salmonflies, Drakes, Caddis etc. Something to keep in mind at these levels, fish will be closer to the bank and not sitting in mid-river currents. When wade fishing, you often don’t even need to get your feet wet. Fish the smaller margins close to shore and you may be surprised how many fish you would have been standing on wading up to your chest.

Current Flow

Red Ives = 1400 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Red Ives

Calder = 5830 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Calder

Miscellaneous

The Fishing

Still good fishing on the local stillwaters. Trout, bass, panfish, carp… Really anything you would want to target is hungry right now. Plenty of bug hatches for the trout guys, callibaetis, damsels, chironomids of course. Bass are up shallow and preparing for the spawn. Carp will be on the flats rooting around on the warm sunny days. Just go fishing!

Spokane River, Washington

Hatches

n/a

The Fishing

The Spokane River from the WA/ID state line down to Nine Mile Falls Dam is now closed until the Saturday before Memorial Day. This closure is to help protect spawning Redband rainbows.

Current Flow

8320 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Lower River / Post Falls

Steelhead Rivers

The Fishing

Grande Ronde - Good time of year to start finding smallmouth bass down here. The stretch closest to the mouth near Hellar Bar is generally best in May. The smallies will head further upriver as it heats up and flows drop. Any smolt colored streamer is a good starting point, crawfish patterns work well too.

Current Flows

Grande Ronde River at Troy - 3980 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Troy

Snake River at Anatone - 57400 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Anatone

Clearwater River at Spalding - 30300 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Spalding