Coeur d’Alene Fishing Report 01.18.18

Clark Fork River (MT)

Gauges are reading “ice” at St. Regis. No recent reports here guys, so I'd be looking at a steelhead trip this weekend if we don't get a bunch of rain.

St. Joe River

Current flow, 2,240 cubic feet per second at Calder and dropping. Depending on the upcoming weather this might be an option—again, if we don’t get a lot of rain. Not sure of the boat launch conditions so this might be a better walk/wade option now. If you go, nymphing will be most effective. Tandem beadhead rigs should work. Your standards will be fine—Pheasant-Tails, Prince's, Brassies, Pat's rubberlegs. Make sure you get your bugs down and run a long enough leader to do so. The fish won't be super grabby now, and takes will be subtle. So pay close attention to your indicator. Streamers may get some attention as well guys, but keep them slow. Sculpins, Woolly buggers in olive and black are good choices.

Coeur d'Alene River

Current flow, 3,100 cfs at Cataldo and dropping slowly. Had some signs of life this weekend. Handfull of guys and gals took advantage of the warmer weather and ice-free river this last weekend. Not big numbers, but fish were caught. The river swelled last week with the rain and was a good thing for us. Hopefully it doesn't get really cold again and freeze up. If you can shimmy a boat in somewhere over the snow it is a perfect level to float now, too. But pay attention to the rain as we are forecasted to get more. If we don't freeze-up and/or blow out with the rain this should fish again this weekend. Same gig as the St. Joe, as far as what to fish. Tandem nymph setups and streamers fished slowly.

Clearwater River

Current flow, 13,700 cfs at Spalding and dropping quickly. Had some friends down last weekend, despite the high flows and they did well. It should be game on this weekend as flows should be much more manageable. Hopefully we don't get a bunch of rain between now and then as I need a day on the water. Swinging with heavy tips will be the way to go. With the higher flows look for softer tailouts and inside bends for slower holding water. Brighter colors with some flash will get some looks because the water has some color to it. Prom Dresses in black and blue, Killowats in black or bright pink, marabou Popsicles . . . all good patterns this time of year.

Grande Ronde (WA)

Current flow, 3,380 cfs at Troy and dropping quickly. Still a touch high here guys, but not for long. My personal preference is below 2,000 cfs and dropping. But fish have been caught in higher flows as well. Things are looking promising for this weekend, so if the trend with the flows keeps up we should be in the magic wheelhouse by then. I'd imagine a bunch of new fish have moved in with the higher flows so, with the dropping and clearing flows, this should be a winner this weekend. If flows are still in the mid 2,000 range this weekend, heavier tips for sure and softer water. Nymphing will be a good choice as well. Brightly colored stonefly nymphs and rubber-legged ones seem to get attention in high flows.

Read past reports from the CDA region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.