KOOTENAI RIVER MONTANA FISHING REPORT SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
Kootenai River Montana Rainbow
In-flow from Lake Koocanusa: not available at this time
Flows from Libby Dam: 6500 cfs but flows will be reduced beginning September 1
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 really well. Flows from Libby Dam will remain at 6500 until at least end of September.
It’s starting to feel like fall here in northwest Montana. Days are noticeably shorter but with lower sun angle and partly cloudy days the fishing has been fantastic lately. Expect a run of partly sunny days with temps in the 70s for the next seven days or so.
It’s still very much a single dry fly program if that’s your jam. Big bugs are still in play and will continue through 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 productive especially Uke’s brown bug.
There’s really no need to nymph unless your really want to get down into a bucket.
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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