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

Hatches

Skwalas
March Browns
BWO's
Samonflies? Maybe with upcoming temps...

The Fishing

The North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River saw a small bump in flows this week and variable weather so not too many folks out fishing. That being said the weekend is shaping up nicely with flows at a decent level (no this isn't July levels so fish accordingly) and with improving weather it's a great combo to get out. Fishing as of late goes like this... mornings are nymph or streamers, as the day warms up you can probably prospect with a skwala (chubby) and dropper rig though the dropper might account for more fish, some March browns should hatch mid day and fish will likely key in on them, the warmest part of the day the skwala will likely get more attention after the March brown hatch slows down. As the weekend and early next week heats up... I wouldn't be surprise to see a salmonfly or two... just saying :)

Note: Fishing tributaries during this time of the year isn't ideal. Two reasons, it is very early April so water conditions are still cold, plus it's spawning time of the year. Give them a few more weeks at least.

If you like trusting forecasts, here’s a link to the Northwest River Forecast Center for river flow projections. Like the weather, these change often and aren’t always accurate, but are a helpful tool for planning out your fishing days.

NF CDA at Prichard (Copy and past this link): https://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?PRCI1

We have rafts and single person boats in-stock! Rio Craft Madison(SOLD), Rio Craft Teton, Outcast PAC 1300, Outcast Stealth Pro (SOLD), and Outcast Clearwater. Spring is boat season!

Current Flow

Prichard = 930 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Prichard

Cataldo = 3530 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Cataldo

St. Joe River, Idaho

Hatches

March Browns
Skwalas
BWO's
Salmonflies... possitbly

The Fishing

The St. Joe is a solid option for the weekend and into the following week. The variable weather and slightly higher flows from a earlier in the week slowed down angling traffic, but the weekend and next week is shaping up nicely. Flows have been dropping steadily. Like the NF CDA, the fishing on the St. Joe will be a nymph / streamer game in the morning hours and as things warm prospecting with a chubby or skwala with a dropper is a good combo. The big dry will likely get some sniffs and even some connections but that will get better post noon when temps warm. March browns mid-day will be get fish up feeding more on the surface so don't leave home without them. Afternoons should be good dry fly fishing.

Note: tributaries and very high up in these cutthroat drainages are not ideal this year, and tribs are still pretty cold as it is only early April. It is also spawning time so avoid the tributaries (and any gravel areas) for a bit longer, give the cutthroat a break and focus on the main river. The road above Avery is closed from due to down trees and fallen rock/boulders.

If you like trusting forecasts, here’s a link to the Northwest River Forecast Center for river flow projections. Like the weather, these change often and aren’t always accurate, but are a helpful tool for planning out your fishing days.

St Joe at Calder (Copy and past this link): https://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?CLDI1

We have rafts and single person boats in-stock! Rio Craft Madison (SOLD), Rio Craft Teton, Outcast PAC 1300, Outcast Stealth Pro (SOLD), and Outcast Clearwater. Spring is boat season!

Current Flow

Red Ives = 615 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Red Ives

Calder = 4610 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Calder

Miscellaneous

The Fishing

Variable weather this week slowed down angling traffic with rain and wind but the upcoming days look better for hitting the lakes. Kenyon has been putting in the work on the bass lakes despite mixed weather and has found some very nice bass.

With the warmer weather, hatches are starting to get more consistent and the fish are responding well. Chironomids are beginning to dominate the game, both dry fly and nymph variations. Leeches will always find fish, but be pairing them with a chironomid pattern for sure. Damsel patterns should start getting more attention as well as the water temps warm. Coffeepot continues to have good reports of quality trout too.

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

11200 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Lower River / Post Falls

Steelhead Rivers

The Fishing

Reports for steelheading on the Grande Ronde, Snake and Clearwater are wrapped up for the season. Time to let them spawn. We will begin reports for steelies late summer as they trickle back into the Columbia system. We will periodically have some smallmouth reports from this region when we get them.

Current Flows

Grande Ronde River at Troy - 5270 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Troy

Snake River at Anatone - 35200 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Anatone

Clearwater River at Spalding - 29900 ft³/sec
Prediction Flow - Spalding