Coeur d’Alene Fishing Report 05.10.18

Coeur d Alene Fishing Report 12.15.17

Coeur d'Alene River

Flow 13,700 cfs and dropping.  Well it's not a great option now guys but in 7-8 days we may actually see a fishable level of about 5,500 cfs.  Now this is very up in the air as we may see a storm come through by then, but there is a slight light in the tunnel.  At 5,500 the river is still a bit high for wading but a far cry from where its at now.  So hang in there and shouldn't be too long and will be throwing dries to big fat cutthroat.

St. Joe River

Flow 16,800 cfs and level.  The Joe is big right now guys and like the Coeur d'Alene there is a possibility of a small window to float by the 20th.  This may not pan out  though with weather to come.  Keep tabs on the flows via Northwest river forecast or USGS sites. If we get a flow below 7,000 cfs and it's dropping it should be fish awesome.

Clark Fork River (MT)

53,700 cfs and climbing.  I drove back from the Missouri River a few days ago and the Clark Fork was an impressive site to say the least.  There were 100 foot trees floating down the river.  You could hear large boulders churning their way under the surface.  Mother nature is very powerful and amazing to watch.  We are a ways out on the Clark Fork guys so turn your attention to the local lakes or maybe a trip to the Missouri or Bighorn rivers might be an idea.

Local Lakes

Fishing great now folks.  Hayden has been on fire with the smallmouth.  Whether you are a fly guy or a spincaster you will catch fish.  Have been seeing some pictures of serious smallies coming through the shop.  So get your bass on and hit the rocky shorelines with a white and chartreuse Clouser Minnow or a Woolly Bugger and you will have a ton of fun.  There are quite a few largemouth in the back bays being caught, too.  The popper action should be on too, so pick your poison for a popper as most in a medium size will work fine.  The crappie game is still on big-time and you shouldn't have to much of a problem catching a bunch of these guys now too.  Balanced leeches, small Mohair Leeches, smaller black Woolly buggers will get attention as well.  Pike fishing is good, too. Keep your focus in the back shallow bays and keep moving and covering water with big red and white or chartreuse and black streamers and you will move fish.  The weather is supposed to get better later this week and be in the low-to mid-70’s, so this will keep the lake fishing going.