Discharge from Libby Dam is 17000cfs it’s raining here in Kootenai country.  A significant moist air mass has settled over the area bringing showers to downpours depending on your location.  Heavy rain in the mountains will indeed spike tributaries and bring a little color the Kootenai near the mouths of creeks.  But all in the river is still very fishable.  Wading is minimal.  Stick with big prince nymphs, small wire worms, brown rubber leg nymphs and add another splitshot to be sure you get the flies down.  Dry fly action is possible and with daytime temps entering the low 50′s, blue winged olives and some March browns might show up in slower runs and softer water.

mayfly

Discharge from Libby Dam is presently 17000cfs with no changes scheduled for the rest of the day.  It’s gray and calm again and looks like we’ll be getting more precipitation.  Rain in the valleys and snow up high.  Daytime temp should bump over 40 degrees making this a perfect day for blue winged olives.  With flows over 15000cfs it’s pretty much a drift boat gig.  Look for bugs and noses in slower runs and the tailouts of big pools.  Big prince nymphs and worms are still moving fish as river picks up a bit of color near tributaries.

Kootenai River rainbow

Discharge from Libby Dam is presently 17000cfs.  Winds are light and it looks like another gray, rainy day here in Kootenai River country.  Flows have been increased to accomodate for potential heavy rains over the next 72 hours.  For now, the river is best fished from a drift boat.  Daytime temps are consistently in the 40′s so midge are popping and March browns should be in the mix very soon as well.  Tributaries are starting to push a bit of color into the river in specific areas but clarity is still fine.  Might be time to get out the wire worm.

Linehan Outfitting Co/Spring fishing

Flows have increased again this morning and will remain at 17000cfs throughout the day.  Wading options are now limited and best bet is to fish from a boat so you can access islands and softwater areas where fish are likely to be holding.  Blue winged olives and a smattering of March browns will still be popping here and there so a bit of dry fly action is still possible.  Streamers and nymphs will continue to move bigger fish on the prowl.  Today’s weather might be a bit brighter as we’re kind of in between two small fronts.  But don’t be surprised if it turns gray and we get some showers. 

Holy Bull Trout Batman!

Discharge from Libby Dam is currently 15,000cfs.  Flows have been increased and will likely stay in the mid-range for a while to accomodate warmer weather and lots of rain and snow in the high country.  The Corps is having to move a bit of water lately what with the wet weather pattern we seem to be stuck with for a while.  But wading is still good up and down the river and blue winged olives and a smattering of March browns are starting to pop!  Dry fly action is possible!  Presently it’s calm and gray and showers are likely. 

Kootenai River dry fly take!

Nymphing and streamers are still good bets since water temp is around 40degrees.  Bounce some big prince nymphs along the bottom and see what happens.  Keep in mind the closure from Libby Dam to the mouth of the Fisher River.