Kootenai River Montana Rainbow
In-flow from Lake Koocanusa: not available at this time
Flows from Libby Dam: This time of year flows will start to fluctuate.
The following outflow changes are scheduled for October 31st:
-Outflows will increase from 4.0 kcfs to 6.0 kcfs at 2300 MST.
November 1st:
-Outflows will increase from 6.0 kcfs to 9.0 kcfs over two changes beginning at 0000 MDT.
-Ouflows will increase from 9.0 kcfs to 11.0 kcfs at 2300 MST.
November 2nd :
-Outflows will increase from 11.0 kcfs to 14.0 kcfs over two changes beginning at 0000 MDT.
November 3rd :
-Outflows will decrease from 14.0 kcfs to 12.0 kcfs over two changes beginning at 2200 MDT.
November 4th:
-Outflows will decrease from 12.0 kcfs to 9.0 kcfs over three changes beginning at 0000 MDT.
-Outflows will decrease from 9.0 kcfs to 8.0 kcfs over two changes beginning at 2200 MDT.
November 5th:
-Outflows will decrease from 8.0 kcfs to 6.5 kcfs over three changes beginning at 0000 MDT.
-Outflows will decrease from 6.5 kcfs to 5.5 kcfs over two changes beginning at 2200 MDT.
November 6th:
-Outflows will decrease from 5.5 kcfs to 4.0 kcfs over three changes beginning at 0000 MDT.
Hatches: midge, baetis, caddis, terrestrials
Water temperature at stilling basin below Libby Dam: approximately 50 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, purple chubby, red chubby, water walkers, hoppers, plan B, ants
We just got word that flows will start to fluctuate to shape flood risk managment for Lake Koocanusa reservoir target elevations. What does this mean? Basically, it means conditions will be less favorable when flows are being increased. Keep in mind generally speaking the river is wadeable until flows exceed approximately 10,000 cfs. During this period of flow fluctuations, plan on fishing when the river is dropping or has been stable for at least 24 hours.
It’s definitely early winter here. And water temps are dropping. We got our first snow a couple days ago and looks like we’ve now settled into that gray November pattern. Precipitation is certainly likely each day and fog will be heavy on the river in the mornings. Stick with afternoons this time of year. The good news, hatches of baetis will show up throughout days as well.
Nymphing will offer best bets this time of year unless you see a few baetis.
If you have a hankering, streamer fishing is best bet if you're looking for one solid fish. This is the time of year we 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/
