July 31, 2020 "Big Water"

‘Wow, this is a big river’

A client recently made this comment causing me to look at the Kootenai with fresh eyes. I’ve been fishing this water for so long it doesn’t feel ‘big’ even at 10,000 cubic feet per second. I guess if you’re used to streams and creeks the Kootenai can seem like a moving lake and finding fish might seem daunting. This client was wise to use a guide for his first introduction to this eleven mile tailwater float.

However, one advantage of a larger river is the variety of fish habitats found within. We have riffles, deep banks, pocket water, tail outs, braided channels and runs that the big fish like to hold in. A great day on the water includes casting a dry to a rise, swinging with a trout spey, deep nymphing and bank fishing a hopper/dropper. I guess the Kootenai is big, but so are the fishing opportunities that are found on her.

This week we continued to catch fish with mayfly, caddis and stimulators on top. Small nymphs that imitate the mayfly worked as a dropper or deep under an indicator. The flow at the Idaho/Montana line has held consistent for 7 days now at 10K. Water temps are bouncing between 57 and 63 degrees. The weather for the next 7 days in North Idaho looks fantastic for being outside (under a wide brim hat and holding a tube of sunscreen close.) So get out and fish! Contact us for booking availability.