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: 8500 cfs
In-flows from Lake Koocanusa: approximately 9900 cfs
Water temperature at Libby Dam: 52 degrees
Hatches: midge,caddis, green drakes
patterns: zebra midge, parachute Adams, chubbies, water walkers, caddis pupa, perdigons, bh pheasant tail, bh rubber legged stonefly, big streamers in white, pink and olive, circus peanut, black conehead buggers, perdigons, Uke's Pressure Drop, midge cluster, Griffith's gnat, parachute Adams, BWO hackle stacker, Rosenbauer's rabbit foot bwo emerger, parachute bwo
The Kootenai River is in great shape and we're set up for some of the best conditions we've seen in years. For now the Army Corps of Engineers plans to keep a steady and approximately 8500cfs at least through August. It's a great flow and we're expecting a terrific season!
Water temps are starting to climb into that perfect middle 50-60 range which means bug activity will be increasing daily. Caddis, pmds and even green drakes are now part of every days trout menu. All stretches of the river are in excellent shape and fishing well.
Dry fly action is solid. If bugs are active, especially caddis right now, you will see rising fish. Dry/droppers are a good way to go this time of year if you don't feel like nymphing. Think #10 purple chubby with a perdigon jor caddis pupa about three feet below. Look for fish along banks with good current, drop offs, and runs three to four feet deep.
Nymphing is super solid and action is fast in some areas as trout start to fill in runs and move into more traditional summer habitat. Set indicators about 4-5 feet from the first fly. Perdigons, pheasant tails, pmd and caddis stuff are all in play. Add a single BB if necessary and you will have good success.
In Boston Red Sox news, it's the All Star break and we're basically halfway through the season. Still hanging around .500 but unfortunately in the cellar at the moment. Let's hope the bums start turning things around. Word on the street is that we're looking for a couple strong arms before the trade deadline but the deals are sparse and limited. We'll see. Regardless, GO SOX!
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