Sandpoint/Ponderay, Idaho Fishing Report 09.06.18
Clark Fork River (ID)
The flows out of Cabinet Gorge Dam have been between 4,000 to 20,000 cubic feet per second. The best time to fish this river is when flows are down. The water clarity is around 9-feet, and the temperatures should be in the mid to upper 60’s. You’ll want to try throwing hoppers, ants, beetles, small caddis, and tricos. When is doubt, throw a #14 purple rocky mountain mint, #10 purple chubby chernobyl, or a #12 H&L variant. Swinging streamers work well on this river too. My personal favorite patterns this time of year include; a #6 olive woolly bugger, a #8 olive balanced leech, and a #6 Montana intruder.
Lake Pend Oreille
Water temperatures have been between 71-77°F, and the clarity ranges from 9 to 10 feet. The kids have gone back to school, and the vacationers have gone home. Now is the time to get back on the lake and nail some big fish.
There are good pike reports beginning to trickle into the fly shop. The northerns are slowly moving back into the shallows, preying on anything that moves. All the bays that held pike in the spring should begin to see pike again. Try throwing flies like a red jackknife or a chartreuse pike slider. Both floating and sinking line are useful this time of year as well.
Bass fishing has been excellent. Lots of big bass are actively feeding off points. Now that the big crowds are slowly disappearing, the bass are becoming less and less wary.
Lake Cocolalla
Water temperatures have been between 72-78°F, and the clarity ranges from 2 to 3-feet. The trout are still very much feeding in the mornings and evenings. You’ll find that midday can get a little tough with the heat. You’ll want to use an intermediate sinking line or type III to reach the strike zone. Flies like a #8 black woolly bugger, a #8 balanced leech, and a #8 rust slump buster will do the trick.
The bass are still hanging under docks and lily pads. For this, I have had great success throwing poppers and divers along structure. You’ll want to use at least a 6-weight rigged with floating line.
Kootenai River
Discharge out of Libby Dam is 6,530 cfs, and the water clarity is perfect. The temperatures are in the mid-50’s. Now is a great time to launch the drift boat and spend a full day on the river. You should expect to see caddis, pmds, tricos, hoppers, ants, beetles, or craneflies. A little cloud cover and cooler temperatures will work wonders on this river. If they aren’t falling for the “match the hatch” trick, toss a #10 pink J slam, a #10 red hippie stomper, or a #10 purple chubby chernobyl. Streamers are always in season for this river. Try using a white complex twist or a C.R.E.A.M.
See past reports from the Sandpoint/Ponderay area here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.