NF CDA - North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hatches

October Caddis
Mahogany Duns
Fall caddis

The Fishing

If you enjoy solitude, fall colors and happy cutthroat, this is a great time of year to be on the N. Idaho cutthroat streams. Water levels are skinny so fish are still concentrated in the more obvious pools and runs. With chilly overnight temps, fish are backing out of heavy current areas and setting up in slower moving, deeper zones. Dry fly fishing is still prevalent at the right time of day, mornings will predominately be as sub-surface game with nymphs and streamers until the bugs get rolling in the afternoons. Expect to see BWO’s, Fall Caddis, Mahogany Duns and October Caddis. Midges will be around, but fish will stay keyed on the bigger insects while they’re available. Best to take advantage of this beautiful Fall weather while we still have it, won’t be long before fly tying season and dreaming of being on the water.

Current Flow

Prichard = 70.9 ft³/sec

Cataldo = 268 ft³/sec

Flow Graph at Prichard
Flow Graph at Cataldo

St. Joe River, Idaho

Hatches

Caddis
October Caddis
Mahogany Duns
Pseudo Baetis

The Fishing

If you enjoy solitude, fall colors and happy cutthroat, this is a great time of year to be on the N. Idaho cutthroat streams. Water levels are skinny so fish are still concentrated in the more obvious pools and runs. With chilly overnight temps, fish are backing out of heavy current areas and setting up in slower moving, deeper zones. Dry fly fishing is still prevalent at the right time of day, mornings will predominately be as sub-surface game with nymphs and streamers until the bugs get rolling in the afternoons. Expect to see BWO’s, Fall Caddis, Mahogany Duns and October Caddis. Midges will be around, but fish will stay keyed on the bigger insects while they’re available. Best to take advantage of this beautiful Fall weather while we still have it, won’t be long before fly tying season and dreaming of being on the water.

Current Flow

Red Ives = 47.0 ft³/sec

Calder = 341 ft³/sec

Flow Graph at Red Ives
Flow Graph at Calder

Spokane River, Washington

Hatches

Caddis
Pseudo-baetis
October Caddis
Fall caddis

The Fishing

The Spokane continues to be a great option close to home. BWO hatches have fish up feeding on the surface late morning-midafternoon. This is a super fun, technical hatch that will test your A-game with presenting small flies to picky fish. Chubby-style dries are still getting some attention but shifting towards a more sub-surface/small dry program as the big bugs continue to fade. Stonefly nymphs will work year round, trail it with a smaller perdigon or attractor nymph for the best success. Streamer fishing is always worth a shot too, sculpin or crawfish patterns are a good starting point.

Current Flow

1400 ft³/sec

Flow Graph at Spokane River - Post Falls
Flow Graph at Spokane River - Below Falls

Miscellaneous

The Fishing

The North Fork Clearwater / Kelly Creek - Weather might play a big role this coming weekend. Bring your fall in the mountains gear. Due to the Moose Mountain Fire this late summer, the Black Canyon of the NF Clearwater will remained closed for a large stretch of it for the likely the rest of the year. Access to the upper NF Clearwater, Hidden Creek CG, Deception Saddle, Kelly Creek, lower NF Clearwater is good. BWO's are the #1 choice for drys until the days warm up, than October caddis and Mahogany back on the game.

Steelhead Rivers

The Fishing

Conditions have been tough with low water on the steelhead rivers, but there’s a few fish around. We’ve been finding success on light sink tips with marabou-style flies, but the traditional, floating line game is still feasible until temps really cool off. Focus on finding areas where fish can find some cover, the low and clear conditions have fish hiding in different areas than usual. Don’t be afraid to work through a run a couple different ways, whether that’s a fly/tip change or approaching the run from a different angle.

Current Flows

Grande Ronde River at Troy - 476 ft³/sec

Snake River at Anatone - 13000 ft³/sec

Clearwater River at Spalding - 3060 ft³/sec

Flow Graph at Grande Ronde River - Troy
Flow Graph at Clearwater River - Spalding
Flow Graph at Snake River - Anatone