With warmer days and a bit of sunshine the game is officially on here in Kootenai country! Bugs are starting to pop and fish are looking up.
Discharge from Libby Dam is currently 17,000cfs through June 28 at which point it will decrease to 15,000cfs. Water temperature below the dam is still a chilly 49 degrees but will warm up quickly with predicted nice weather and more sunshine. Flows are now very user friendly but river is still best fished from boats. Insect activity is just now starting and hatches of pmds and caddis will increase daily. Dry fly fishing is producing some fish but nymphing is still the best option. Fish are still in slower runs and boulder gardens and not neccessarily in riffles. Streamers, fish slowly and deep will bring a big fish or two.
The Clark Fork is still a bit swollen but good fishing is right around the corner. Flows are hovering around 15,000cfs and hatches of pmds and caddis are sparse but will increase in the coming days with warmer tempertures. Dry fly fishing is fair but fish that are rising are very catchable. Nymphing and pulling streamers is still the best bet for consistent action and keep in mind fast action is very close.
All Kootenai country tributaries are presently fishing well. Good hatches of pmds, caddis, and green drakes are coming off and fish are looking up. All streams are wadeable but be careful since they’re still a bit high depending on access. Area lakes are also in prime shape and float tubing opportunities are providing great action on top and sub-surface.