Coeur d'Alene Fishing Report 10.11.18
Coeur d'Alene River
Fishing is great right now, guys. The cooler weather and rain has helped a ton and will keep the fish feeding up on top. There are also lots of blue-winged olives, mahoganies, October caddis as well. You’ll find that the middle of the day and afternoon when things have had a chance to warm up, will be the best fishing times. Using smaller blue-wing olives 18-20s with an emerger or soft hackle dropper behind it will work. If you are fishing the October caddis, remember to "skate" or "twitch" them, rarely do the real ones stay still on the water. A large size 6 or 8 orange stimulator is a perfect October caddis imitation. Use Loon High and dry powder on them after they get waterlogged and keep them dry and they will produce much better. Also, don't forget to try a streamer here and there too. Finally, fall can be some exceptional streamer fishing. Smaller offerings can be better, and a slower moving pattern will get more attention typically.
St. Joe River
The fishing is fantastic here. Again, as I mentioned in last week’s report, there is no need to get on the water super early. Midday to late evening is the best time to capture the warmest part of the day. It will be a blue-wing olive fiesta here, guys and gals. During the overcast rainy days, the olives come off in droves. This can make for technical fishing though. Make your first casts count and set lightly. These hatches will bring the big fish up too. So, with lighter tippet and small flies, don't be heavy-handed. You’ll want to stay late in the day for good October caddis action. I like to fish till dark this time of year for this hatch especially. And, snow is not too far around the corner so, get it while it’s good guys. We have been getting great reports here so, enjoy the some of the best fishing of the year.
Clark Fork River (MT)
Awesome! If I had to choose a trout river to be on in our area right now, this would be it. There are big rainbows, cutthroat, and browns gorging on small dry flies all day long. Bigger fish are here, guys and gals, so, be prepared for good fun. We are supposed to get warmer temperatures this week. This is a good thing, but the bright sun may put a slight damper on the rising fish. Hopefully, we get some clouds that will keep the fish feeding consistently throughout the day. Same bug palate as the Cd’A and Joe. Blue-wing olives will be coming on more as the fall progresses. There is also a good mix of mahoganies, and October caddis too. So, fish will be willing to play, you just have to find the right set up. An orange stimmie with a bead head pheasant tail dropper is a great searching rig right now if you are in transit from run to run in the drift boat. But, you will see pods of rising fish in the flats and these guys are fun. A mahogany with a soft hackle dropper is killer for these guys, or if they are picky using a size 18 or 20 bwo dun will do the trick.
See past reports from the CDA region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.