KOOTENAI RIVER MONTANA FISHING REPORT 8-4-2024

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: 10,400cfs. 

Hatches: midge, pmds, caddis,ants, hoppers

In-flow from Lake Koocanusa:  approximately 10,000cfs

Water temperature at stilling basin below Libby Dam: approximately 55 degrees

patterns:  zebra midge, parachute Adams, big junk like dungeons, circus peanuts in white, red and black, bh soft hackle pheasant tail, Pat's rubber legged stonefly, bh purple duracell perdigon, Uke's brown bug perdigon, xcaddis, parchute adams, parachute pmd, missing link pmd, royal wulff, bh prince, pmd frenchie, caddis pupas, purple haze, bronze haze, Bloom's caddis, water walkers, parachute hoppers, ants, chubbies, plan B.

The Kootenai River is in great shape and fishing well during this high time of summer.  Discharge from Libby Dam was recently decreased from 11,000 cfs to 10,400 cfs and will likely continue to decrease over the next week or so to around 9,000cfs.  Anything in this flow range is the sweet spot.  There's good current along most banks, riffles are expanded with more water, drop offs and buckets are just the right size, and it's good for floating and it also offers perfectly good wading opportunities as well. 

After an extraordinarily hot July it we have been thrilled with the early days of August so far.  As I write it's cloudy and cool.  Early in the week the sun will bust out again but daytime temps look normal and mostly in the 80s.  It will be bright and sunny on the Kootenai.  Big straw hats are now being seen up and down the Kootenai River. 

Trout are now occupying riffles and fast water.  Short leashing has been productive in water depths of 2-3 feet.  Otherwise, if you're on the run and fishing deeper water, Indicator should be set approximately 5-6 feet from top fly.  Depending on water depth, you may want to add a split shot.

Dry fly action is best in mornings and late evenings.  But hoppers and droppers are in play now and have been carrying the day nicely,  If pmds and caddis are popping, fish should be looking up.  Purple haze or an X-caddis will do the trick for the most part.  Look for rising fish, give them a good drift, and they should eat. Expect lots of smaller fish during the day.  Nicer fish are around but often just a bit more shy during high sunshine.

Right now, big fish are on the prowl and looking for a big meal.  Depth Charge sinking tips are perfectly good and stick with soft runs three to ten feet deep.  The streamer bite has been a day by day thing.  Cloud cover will help.  Don't expect numbers and if you get a couple or a few you've done well

The Boston Red Sox are 6.5 games out of first place in the AL East and still very competitive as we enter the second half of the season.  They have been on a tear the last couple weeks and this team has talent and is fun to watch.  At the moment pitchers are holding their own and lately the bats have been terrific.  Go Sox!

Give a call anytime if you need more Kootenai River details or information on any our hunting or fishing adventures.  And please check out our e-commerce site for all Linehan Outfitting branded soft wear and hats and all Orvis gear as well. The new Orvis Helios rods are here and you have to cast one to believe!  https://linehan-outfitting.myshopify.com/