Kootenai River
Prices
Drift Boat (1-2 guests) - $599
3rd guest for an additional $150
Does not include taxes and fees
Seasons
| Fish | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brook Trout | X | X | X | X | ||||||||
| Bull Trout | X | X | X | X | ||||||||
| Brown Trout | X | X | X | X | ||||||||
| Cutthroat Trout | X | X | X | X | ||||||||
| Rainbow Trout | X | X | X | X | ||||||||
| Trout hybrids | X | X | X | X | ||||||||
| Kokanee | X |
This hidden gem in Northern Idaho is one of the most productive trout waters in the state, but probably the most overlooked. Obscured by limited river access, you may see one or two boats through the day. With naive trout who rarely see a fly, you’ll take a trip to the frontier Idaho of the 19th century to fish many native species. Abundant rainbows leap at your fly. State record setting bull trout attack swung offerings with prejudice. Kamloops find your backings before you can react. In the fall, you’ll even spot red flashes of Kokanee on the way to spawn. The diversity of fishes and tactics in this river are truly unmatched in the Pacific Northwest.
A large river that caters to big trout. 5,6, & 7 weight rods in the 9 1/2- 10'+ lengths are the preferred choice to fly fish this large river. Newer trophy restrictions implemented by the Idaho Fish & Game Dept. will produce for the future a very quality fishery for the Catch & Release angler. After many years, we have continued to see a fantastic increase in quality & quantity of trophy Rainbows.
Accommodations at Bonners Ferry can be arranged or look at our Idaho Fly fishing Package on the Kootenai.
Notes:
Trout fishing for all types:
brook trout
bull trout (incidental non-targeted, catch-and-release)
brown trout
cutthroat trout
golden trout
lake trout
rainbow trout
splake
trout hybrids
Arctic grayling
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You need to bring:
Idaho fishing license (valid for the day we are fishing)
rain gear appropriate for the weather
hat
sunscreen
sunglasses
camera
You should tell us:
your PFD/life jacket size
if you’re right or left handed fishing, if you have a preference
We provide:
rods and reels
all the flies
tippet and other gear we will need.
For safety, we carry:
satellite texting device
beacon
bear mace
floatation devices that can be thrown from the boat
PFD from Medium to xlarge.
Other things to know:
while on the river we will likely not have any cell coverage, although T Mobile customers are getting signals now
if anyone needs to contact you while we are floating, they may be an option to relay communications through our guides
What Our Clients Say
“YOU HAVE A CLIENT FOR LIFE: Completed float trip yesterday on the Kootenai River. 9 miles of outstanding waters. Guide service was STELLAR, caught 4 nice fat Rainbows, lost several more. Guide constantly put me on fish, very knowledgeable of the river. River is unique in that the fish caught are wild fish due to very low fishing pressure over the nine mile area of Idaho. I am looking at booking two trips in September with your guide, and other trips with your service.”
“I just wanted to send a note of thanks and complements. Last week Mary (my wife) and I had a wonderful day on the Kootenai River with Leanna Young. Mary is a beginner flyfisher and she picked up on this new hobby quickly.
Leanna not only knows the river and fish well, she is an excellent teacher. Because Mary is a beginner, I was reluctant to try to teach her this new skill and thought a female guide would be a better instructor and indeed she is.
I also learned a ton of new techniques methods.
Guiding is a profession that depends upon word-of-mouth recommendations so I wanted to pass on my thoughts. I highly recommend Leanna as a guide and we will try to book again next year.”
Places To Stay
Resorts and Hotels
Twin Rivers Resort
1-888-258-5952
Nestled on the confluence of the Kootenai River and Moyie River, this is where we put in and take out for our day fishing trips. For a fisherman and recreationalist, the location can’t be beat. 20 minutes from Bonners Ferry, the resort offers cabins, tent and RV camping lots in pristine Idaho wilderness.
Best Western Plus, Bonners Ferry
208-267-8511
other Things To Do
Myrtle Falls
This areas of short trails is next to the Kootenai Wildlife Area, and offers sites of natural Idaho wildlife and falls and streams. A great day hike for families and kids.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort
A prime location for winter sports, it also offers amazing summer trails for hiking and mountain biking. A lift ticket or a day hike will get you to the top where you can explore and get a drink at the Sky House, which offers an amazing view of Lake Pend Oreille and the glacial valley below.
This resort is a little further from Bonners Ferry, but a must if you’re in the area.