CDA River Fishing Report

Coeur d'Alene River Fishing Report (2)

With the next generation of fly fishers back in school, and the weekend warriors behind a desk, it seemed like the perfect time to revisit the CDA river. Flows were very low. How low? Slightly under 200 cfs. It feels like every week I find myself saying, "The Coeur d'Alene drainage cannot get any lower." Yet somehow, the flows continue to drop. I was pleasantly surprised to feel how cool the water felt as I wet-waded the lower section of the CDA.

The weather was sunny, blue skies, temperatures in the 80s with an occasional breeze. In terms of hatches, there wasn't much to talk about, but hoppers were scattered on the shoreline. Beetles and ants clung to the overhanging trees.

Around 11:30 AM, I did manage to find a small hatch of large, rust colored mayflies that appeared in the shady riffles. The handful I found were roughly a size 10, and dancing across the river. A few spent mayflies drifted downstream to meet their final resting place (inside a trout's belly). I had a little luck matching the hatch, but not much.

Most of my action was on a #10 Purple Parachute Madam X, and a #14 Purple Rocky Mountain Mint. I don't know what my deal was, but for every fish I landed, I must have missed close to ten. TEN! As in 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, 10. I was more than frustrated. I checked my hooks, changed flies, let the trout completely take the fly down. Nothing seemed to work. Obviously, I was fishing barbless, but I know that wasn't the reason.

Aside from my trouble landing fish, the CDA is fishing very well, and the trout are very healthy. I encourage you to hit the river. After you land your trout, be sure to give ‘em a breather in the net. Water temps aren't bad, but the trout are still under a little stress with the low flows.

Flies to take out this weekend

 #12 Purple Rocky Mountain Mint

#14 Purple Haze

#10 Chubby Chernobyl

#10 Purple Parachute Madam X

#10 Rusty Spinner

#10 October Caddis

#10 Golden Morrish Hopper

#14 Cinnamon Toast Ant

The river continues to fish well, just stick to the lower runs. I didn't go higher than Bumble Bee, and found plenty of willing cutthroat.

Coeur d'Alene River Fishing Report (1)