It’s cool and blustery here on the Kootenai at the moment with temps in the 60’s.  Discharge from Libby Dam will increase slightly from 7000cfs to 8000cfs on September 1st.  A little more water and a little more current is a good thing!  It’s amazing what a difference 1000cfs can make so this is good news.  Increased flows will provide a bit of a freshet to the river and also boost the current along some of the softer banks.  Fish will likely respond.  The last couple days have been a bit slow due to cold front but by mid-week summer will return and fish will likely turn on.  Hoppers are still moving bigger fish but with cloud cover small bugs like caddis, pmds, and parachute adams fished on 6x will move fish pretty consistently.  September will be awesome!!!

It’s starting to feel a bit like fall around here what with cool mornings and chilly evenings.  But days are still lovely and fish are still eating dries.  Hoppers and droppers still dominate the scene.  But mornings are often better spent fishing size 16 caddis, pmd spinners, small wulffs or parachute adams especially in the long, slick runs.  As the day warms terrestrials will move nicer fish and don’t forget that long leaders, at least ten feet, are necessary as water is gin clear.  Nymphing is still in play through faster runs and boulder gardens and will produce some nicer fish.  The Kootenai is great shape and conditions will not change any time soon.  Get out there and have at it!

Kootenai rainbows are still responding to hoppers during the heat of the afternnoons but consistent dry fly fishing is concentrated during morning and evenings.  Conditions are still excellent.  Caddis and pmd adults and spinners on 6x will bring fish in slicks and tailouts.  Most rising fish are catchable and some nice thick fish are being found in skinny water sipping spent bugs.  Nymphing in fast riffles and runs is also producing fish throughout the day.  Don’t overlook beetles, ants and other out of the box fly choices.  Show them something different and don’t be afraid to fish big bugs in 6-8 feet of water.  You might be surprised

Caddis are the name of the game here lately.  Yesterday there was a carpet of dead caddis all over the ground at the shop and local parking lots and the fish have responded.  Most of the bug activity is happenening late at night but even during the heat of the day there are caddis bouncing on the water and trout are stimulated.  Stay small and don’t be afraid to fish 6x since water is now gin clear.  Mornings and evenings offer better opportunities for consistent dry fly action but all boats and guides did very well during the day yesterday.  Go deep with nymphs if you want to find bigger fish.

Hoppers and droppers continue to be the rig of choice.  With high sun and hot days fish have definitley become a bit more tight lipped as of late from a dry fly point of view.  Nymphing continues to move fish in faster runs and riffles so be don’t be afraid to bust out the bobbers!  Guides have also noticed fish become a bit more boat shy what with gin clear water and high sun so lengthen leaders and consider 6x in the slicks and glassy runs.  5x still working just fine through faster water and riffles. 

Current discharge from Libby Dam is currently 7000cfs and water temp below Libby Dam is now 55 degrees.  Yesterday the fish were happy up and down the river and all guests and guides had a great day!  Caddis were popping on the upper river for most of the afternoon and crane flies were bouncing around as well.  Tan parachute hoppers covered the crane flies and fished with a caddis pupa dropper it made the day pretty consistent.  With heat on the way and daytime temps predicted to hit the mid-90’s for the next few days it will be wise to get on the water early in the morning for the best dry fly action and again for the last couple hours of the day.  Get the bobbers out for afternoon fishing and get the nymphs down to bottom.

Dishcharge from Libby Dam is currently 7000cfs and river temps are averaging in the middle 50’s.  Daytime temps are currently in the high 70’s, there’s basically no wind, and high cumulus clouds are keeping the sun at bay throughout the day.  What could be better!  Dry fly fishing is finally pretty consistent with fish eating caddis and mayfly patterns with regularity.  Bigger fish are starting to show up too!  And several 16-20″ fish were caught by clients in the last couple days.  Look for fish in fast water as they seem to have settled into their summer holding pattern for now.  Must have flies are parachute adams in size 16, elk hair caddis size 16, royal wulff size 12 and definitely big bugs and droppers through boulder gardens in the afternoons.

Discharge from Libby Dam is now stable and will remain at 7000cfs for through August.  Summer flows are here to stay and with recent sunshine water temps are finally approaching mid 50’s.  Caddis and pmd’s are hatching and good dry fly action is centered around mornings and evenings.  With high pressure and big sun afternoons are all about deep water nymphing.  It’s still early enough in the season to give them the burger.  Fish them big and fish them deep.  Big prince nymphs, rubber legs and hare’s ears with smaller droppers fished below seven to nine feet of indicators in fast water has been moving some nicer fish.  Hoppers and droppers through the day are also moving fish.  If you’re drifting, cover water and miles and stick with 2-4 feet of water.  During the afternoons fish are unlikely to be on the bank with bright sun and warmer day time temps.

Two days of unrelenting wind and a serious change of pressure made things a bit tough on the guides and guests.  But today things came around a bit and all boats saw a bit of dry fly action as well as some bigger fish on nymphs.  Caddis are starting to pop and pmd’s are finally starting to show up as well.  Water temps are still a bit cool in the lower 50’s and we’re just waiting for come consistent warm weather to heat things up.  We’re headed for a nice change of weather and summer is suppossed to return.  Get ready for hot summer action this week as hatches really start to fly.

Buckle up for safety, buckle up for summer fun.  Hot yesterday and hot today but water temps are responding and that means caddis are too.  Stick with nymphs in faster water as it seems fish are in the summer holding lies already.  But in the evenings, oh the evenings, the wonderful, delightful evenings, IT’S CADDIS THIRTY!!!  Look for pmd’s lately as well and attractors are still finding fish consistently.  Bigger fish seem to be showing up at last.  High water is over and Kootenai flowing steady through September.