This Kootenai River Montana fishing report is being brought to you by Orvis Endorsed Linehan Outfitting. This report will be updated weekly to provide current conditions, weather, hatches, patterns, and flows to our local waters and across the state.
Flows from Libby Dam:
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Wednesday, 2 November:
-Outflows will increase from 9.0 kcfs to 15 kcfs over a series of two hourly changes beginning at 0600 MDT
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Friday, 4 November:
-Outflows will decrease from 15.0 kcfs to 14.5 kcfs over a series of two hourly changes beginning at 2200 MDT
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Saturday, 5 November:
-Outflows will decrease from 14.5 kcfs to 9.5 kcfs over a series of five hourly changes beginning at 0000 MDT
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Monday, 7 November:
-Outflows will increase from 9.5 kcfs to 15.0 kcfs over a series of three hourly changes beginning at 0500 MDT
-Outflows will decrease from 15.0 kcfs to 13.0 kcfs over a series of three hourly changes beginning at 2200 MDT
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Tuesday-Friday, 8-11 November:
-Outflows will decrease from 13.0 kcfs to 10.0 kcfs over a series of three hourly changes beginning at 0000 MDT
-Outflows will increase from 10.0 kcfs to 15.0 kcfs over a series of three hourly changes beginning at 0600 MDT
-Outflows will decrease from 15.0 kcfs to 13.0 kcfs over a series of three hourly changes beginning at 2200 MDT
The following outflow changes are scheduled for Saturday, 12 November:
-Outflows will decrease from 13.0 kcfs to 10.0 kcfs over a series of three hourly changes beginning at 0000 MDT
Water temperature at Libby Dam: 51 degrees
Hatches: midge, baetis
patterns: zebra midge, parachute Adams, Rosenbauer's olive rabbit foot emerger, purple haze, purple chubby, red chubby, olive sparkle dun,bh prince, soft SJ worm, bh pheasant tail, bh rubber legged stonefly, big streamers in white, pink and olive, circus peanut, black conehead buggers, perdigons, Uke's Pressure Drop, water walkers
Unfortunately there's not much to be had here on the Kootenai this week. Flows from Libby Dam will be increasing dramatically and fluctuating throughout the week. What does that mean? Basically the river isn't very user friendly or particularly fishable under these conditions. But if you're game, you may find a couple hours during the day when flows have stabilized to give it a go.
On the weather front, expect rain/snow mix for the foreseeable future, cloud cover, daytime temperatures in the 30-40s and basically damp and chilly.
Water temperatures are still good and hovering around 50 degrees. With temperatures in that range trout are still actively feeding especially if bugs are active.
Look for fish in deeper runs, buckets, and in cover. They are moving this time of year and will be spending less time in riffles due to less insect activity.
Dry fly action will be spotty this time of year. That said, if baetis are popping you'll have fish on top. Midge are always active below the Libby Dam. Flows are now lower and the water is gin clear. Fish at least a ten foot leader if you find rising fish and get a good drift especially in the flats and tailouts.
Nymphing is still super solid if you really want to put up some numbers and go that route. Short leashing and Czech nymphing (three to four feet to first fly) in softer runs and boulder gardens has been producing fish. Two tungsten perdigons three to four feet from a baby bobber has been pretty effective lately.
fStreamer fishing is also productive this time of year. Big fish are on the prowl as they bulk up for winter. Be patient, get flies down and ten to twenty foot depth charge sinking tips are best for these flows. Look for bigger fish in deep pools and let your flies swing all the way through the run and pulse the tip of the rod from time to time as well.
We surely hope this Kootenai River fishing report has been helpful.
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