KOOTENAI RIVER MONTANA FISHING REPORT AUGUST 28, 2026

Kootenai River Montana Rainbow

In-flow from Lake Koocanusa:  not available at this time

Flows from Libby Dam: 9000 cfs but flows will be reduced beginning September 1

The following outflow changes will occur on 1 September 2026:

-Outflows will decrease from 9.0 kcfs to 8.5 kcfs at 0000 MDT.

-Outflows will decrease from 8.5 kcfs to 8.0 kcfs at 0100 MDT.

The following outflow changes will occur on 2 September 2026:

-Outflows will decrease from 8.0 kcfs to 7.5 kcfs at 0000 MDT.

-Outflows will decrease from 7.5 kcfs to 7.0 kcfs at 0100 MDT.

 The following outflow changes will occur on 3 September 2026:

-Outflows will decrease from 7.0 kcfs to 6.5 kcfs at 0000 MDT.

Hatches:  midge, baetis, pmds, caddis, terrestrials

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

patterns:  zebra midge, Uke's brown perdigon, wire worm, perdigons, smaller sparkle minnows, midge cluster, Pat's stonefly, flashback pheasant tail nymph, hare's ears, prince nymphs, circus peanuts, drunk and disorderlies, parachute Adams, purple haze, baetis sparkle dun, x-caddis, Bloom’s caddis, parachute pmd, pmd sparkle dun, Rosenbauer’s rabbit foot pmd emerger, purple chubby, red chubby, water walkers, hoppers, plan B, ants

The Kootenai is presently fishing very well. Flows from Libby Dam will remain at 9000 cfs until September 1. When Libby Dam flows start to decrease during September 1-3 the fish will have to move. What does this mean? After all these years I can’t really say with certainty. Sometimes they shut down and other times they seem to celebrate easier currents and feed like crazy. Either way we’re on the water and we go fishing. The river is in excellent shape and will continue to fish well through at least October.

It’s already starting to feel a bit like fall here. Mornings are chilly, there’s dew on the grass when I walk out the door at 6:00 am and days are noticeably shorter. Expect a couple cool days with chance of showers (hopefully) through the weekend then back to sunshine and daytime temps in the low 80s.

It’s still very much a single dry fly program if that’s your jam. Big bugs are still in play and will continue into September. If they’re not eating big bugs consistently, drop down to #16 purple or yellow haze and you’ll be good. Ants are starting to fly. Problem is there a size 20. Run a 24” dropper, don’t worry it it’s sinks and you’ll move fish on the ant too. X-caddis still in play as well. And perdigon droppers are always in vogue.

Nymphing is very good. 4 feet to a couple perdigons with a B and off you go. Hit the riffles, boulder gardens with current, and ripping fast runs.

If you have a hankering, streamer fishing is best bet if you're looking for one solid fish.  This is the time of year when we’ll get the meat sticks out for a couple hours a day. Keep swinging. You'll get a nice one.

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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/