KOOTENAI RIVER MONTANA FISHING REPORT JULY 18,2026

Kootenai River Montana Rainbow

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

Flows from Libby Dam: 9000 cfs

Hatches:  midge, baetis, pmds, caddis

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

It’s all systems go here on the Kootenai. Flows from Libby Dam are now stable and will remain at 9000cfs through end of August. 9000cfs is a perfect flow and our preferred sweet spot. The river is currently fishing very well and water conditions could not be better.

The last couple days we’ve had some great down pours which have kept tributaries fresh and still in good shape. To date we’ve not really had any severe hot temperatures but it looks like we may warm up a bit this week. Bring sunscreen and cover up.

Trout are definitely moving into faster currents and riffles now. Look for fish in more traditional summer runs for the next few weeks.

Dry fly action is steady now. You can roll out with double dries or dry/dropper and never think about changing all day. Parachute Adams and an X-caddis will fish all day. Small purple chubby with 24” perdigon dropper. Yup. All day.

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.  Depending on flows, be sure to get the fly down.  Fish it slowly and thump and pulse like it's a wounded minnow.  If you get a pull, stop it.  Let it sink.  Then pulse it again. Stick with it.  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/