KRO 2005 Fly Fishing and River Reports : (Archived 2004 Reports can be found here.)

12/9/05

Cold! Just a quick update. River has been quite high running in the mid 20,000 cfs range for power generation. Weather has been below 0 at night with highs in the teens. Snow pack is off to a fair start but we could use more. I'll keep you posted. Look for fishing to pick up again with a warm day in Feb or March. Until then we are off to the Fly Fishing Shows. Come by and see us if you can. Have a Merry Christmas every one! See you in the spring.

11/16/05

Not much fishing news folks. The river is up to 20,000 cfs for power and lake level dropping. Maybe a warm day in February will get us on the water for an hour or two!

Been getting a few calls inquiring about the hunting in the area so I'd thought I'd pass on a few brief tidbits.
Deer are just starting to rut in the last few days. The next week ought to have them REAL active. Elk are starting to show in the lower valleys. The grouse are thick and the ducks are flying through. In other words, if you're a hunter....get out in the woods! The weather hasn't been too bad really. Though we've had our share of rain in the valley and snow on the peaks we could use more. Hasn't quite been cold enough for valley snow yet but it's coming. See you at the Fly Fishing Shows !

11/2/05

Quick, some body call Noah. We need and ark! Wow! Rain rain rain.......and mountain snow! This should be it for the season as it's been raining steady for days now. River is up to 9000 + cfs and the tribs are rising. Looks like the snowpack is off to a good start but only time will tell what the weather will bring. We will continue to update occasionally through out the winter as to what's going on weather wise and what to expect for next season. Right now it's too wet to even be a duck! Have a great winter folks and check back occasionally to see what the weather will bring. See you at the Fly Fishing Shows !

10/23/05

It's little bugs in the afternoons now folks. Season is winding down as opening day of Deer / Elk season for rifle is upon us. Fish are still very active in the afternoons but very selective. Flows at 4000 cfs, smooth glassy water and incredible clarity are what it's all about right now. Water temp in the low 50's. As for bugs a size 24 Lime Green Midge or a 22 Olive are the ticket. A well presented streamer will take some nicer fish too. Fall Bird Hunting is also in full swing. But if you are not in the woods, get out and fish. There's still plenty of fishing to be had.

We'll continue to update fishing reports as conditions warrant but for now have a great off season and come see us at this years Fly Fishing Shows !

10/15/05

Good fishing continues! Cool mornings and evenings have the majority of the action in the middle of the day. Olives have been sporadic and outstanding. Cloudy days are better. Some caddis. Bigger bugs are still bringing nice fish to the surface. River is in the 4000 cfs range for the rest of the month. Day time temps in the mid to upper 50's. Water temp in the low 50's. A lot of good wading to be had right now. Still a lot of good fishing to be had so get out and fish before the winter weather really sets in! Throw some streamers. Fish are stocking up for winter and hungry!

10/7/05

Cloudy damp weather for several days with breaks of sun. Beautiful weather! Olives are going nuts! Good hatches just about every day in the mid day hours. Mid day temps in the upper 50's. Cool nights are keeping most activity confined to the afternoons. Tiny bugs folks. Size 20 and 22. Though a general Para Adams or other attractor will take fish, the bigger more selective fish need a good drift and imitation. River is at 4500 and will stay that way for the rest of the month. Don't let the weather fool you. It's a great time to be on the water!

10/2/05

The weather has taken a turn for towards the fall for good I would say. Several days now of cool, cloudy and rain! Lots of rain. It's a welcome relief to what has been a fairly dry summer. Koot has turned a bit off color from run off but should clear in a couple of days. Tribs have been very low. Hopefully these rains will bring things up a bit and start the fall move up stream for the Bulls and Browns. Have been out on a few tribs and seen fish starting to stack up in leiu of the spawn. River is scheduled to be at 4500 cfs for the rest of Oct. Water temps in the mid 50's. Hatches of Olives, Mahagony's and Caddis for the rest of the season will be the go to flies. For those wanting to throw small bugs the Lime Green midges are key on the top of the river. A size 24 on 6 or 7x. Dead drift! Streamers can work when all else fails. If the clouds and rain have the bugs down, then throw stuff deep. Cloudy days can produce some great Baetis action though. Still plenty of good fishing left this year and with the river at this level it's about as good as it gets for wading. Get out and fish!

9/24/05

Cooler weather starting to set in. Days in the 70's and nights getting down into the 30's. Sept is fishing great. Fish are starting to "chow for winter". October Caddis are out and fish are taking big dries. Stimmy's, PMX's and other attractors are working well. Cloudy days are producing Olives, Mahogany's and a few PMD's still. Caddis are showing in the evenings. Size 24 Lime Green Midges are key when the fish are not looking at anything else. Also, don't forget to through those streamers! Water temp in the mid 50's and flow is at 8000 cfs. The latest information on flow is that it is going to drop to 7000 cfs for approx the next week and then down to roughly 4700 for October. We'll keep you posted. Get out and fish! Remember, spooky fish in clear water. Think Stealth! Still plenty of great fishing to be had!

9/16/05

Flow is at 8000 cfs and water temps in the mid to upper 50's. Cooler weather, and some clouds and occasional rain showers are producing BWO's and PMD's. Lime Green Midges are constant and a few Mahogany's are starting. Orange Sedges' also making a show. Caddis here and there. Some very nice fish are being taken now and that should continue for a while. Get out and fish!

9/4/05

Fishing is about as good as it gets right now and should hold well into the end of October. Water level is scheduled to come down to 10,000 cfs for the next week and then down into the 6 -8,000 cfs range for the rest of September. Water temps in the upper 50's still. Big attractor dries are taking nice fish. Also the Lime Green Midges are a staple fly right now and for the foreseeable future. A size 24 emerger, cripple or dry dead drifted for as far as you can to feeding fish is a killer pattern and taking good fish. Also PMD's, Caddis, Tiny Flying Ants, Black Midges, and a few Mahogany's which should start to really rock and roll here in the next few weeks. Cooler nights and days in the upper 70's to mid 80's. Cloudy days will soon start to bring out the Olives. Don't forget the Streamers! If you haven't made time to get out yet, or need a good diversion from your normal water, now is the time! The weather is still good and the Kootenai is in fantastic shape......get out and fish!

8/27/05

Well the Koot is down to 12,000 cfs. Probably for another week and then down some where in the 7 to 9,000 cfs range. River is fishing great. Water temp in the upper 50's to low 60's. Clarity is 15 feet or more. Stealth presentations are key. Don't thrash these fish! PMD's are still strong through out the day. Caddis are still showing in the evenings but less pronounced. Some cooler weather has settled in and a few Mahogany's are just starting to show. Lime green and black midges are getting well under way and will be a killer pattern for the next couple of months. A size 24 dead drift straight down stream as long as you can get it in the glassy water will take better fish. Hoppers are taking fish too. Bright and sunny for the next few days with highs in the 80's. Great time of year to be on the water. Don't forget the streamers!

8/19/05

River is at 17,000 cfs for the next week. Then down to 12,000 cfs for the rest of August. Look for flow rates to be some where in the neighborhood of 7 to 9,000 cfs for September. Water temps are in the mid to upper 50's. Clear with 10 to 15 feet of visibility. A couple of days of cloudy weather and cool temps but we're back to bright and sunny with temps approaching 90. PMD's are still going strong along with Caddis, and Hoppers. Streamers are producing well. Ants and attractors too. Tribs are LOW and probably not much of an option any more unless we get some early fall rain. But the big river is fishing great. Especially in the mornings and evenings. Spooky fish with this clear water. Think long drag free drifts.

8/10/05

River at 19,000 cfs and fishing great. Big bugs during the day. Hoppers, PMX's and such. Water temp in the mid to upper 50's. Bright hot and sunny days. Tribs are low with spooky fish. Stealth is a necessity. Look for PMD's to be here and there and for the fish to pod up. Caddis still in the evenings. Streamers down deep. Water is very clear and dead drag free drifts are the key.

8/3/05

Prime time! Koot is still at 18,000 cfs with great visibility. Fish are feeding well through out the day. Mornings and evenings are still best but a well placed fly any time will take fish. Hoppers, PMD's, Caddis, Yellow Drakes and Streamers. Water temp in mid 50's. We've got plenty of cool water folks and the fish are active. Sunny and bright with day time temps in the 90's with mornings and evenings falling back into the low 50's. So if you are dealing with warm low water then get up here and give it a shot. Chances are you'll be a happy camper!

7/27/05

River is fishing great! Flow is at 18,000 cfs and scheduled for a steady draw down through the rest of the season. Water temps are in the mid 50's. Weather is sunny and hot. 90+ during the day dropping to mid 50's at night. Morning and Evenings are best right now. Mid day is for Hoppers and streamers. Pound the banks and work the deep runs. The Koot is in the best shape that it's been in several years. Great water and the fish are active. Get here and fish!

7/21/05

River will be at 19,000 cfs for at least the next couple of weeks. Weather is bright sunny and hot. Morning and evenings producing real well right now. Mid day is for big bugs and streamers. Hoppers are just starting to show but with this weather they will break loose any day now and be good bets for the rest of the summer. Flows are scheduled for steady draw downs through Sept to about 6 or 7,000 cfs. We will keep you posted as things go along. Tribs are still fishing well but are into summer levels. Low, clear and spooky fish. PMD's, Caddis, Terrestrials and Streamers are all taking fish. We have tons of water up here so no need to worry about low flows. Also if your favorite river is a bumper boat scene right now, why not escape the crowds and try something new!

7/11/05

River is back up to 23,000 cfs but still fishing very well. We're into the staple PMD's quite well now. This should be the final big push of water for the next few days. Look for the river to finally be coming down in the next week to either 16,000 cfs till the end of August or 12,000 cfs until the end of September. Time will tell. Fish are in the soft water, tight against the banks, hiding in the grassy areas and back eddies. Water temps are in the low 50's and trout are feeding good. During the day big streamers worked deep and through the primary holding areas work well. Also emerger patterns, ants and deep nymphs. Caddis are coming out and hitting the water laying eggs in the evenings. Great bugs. Tribs are still in great shape so get up here and fish!

7/5/05

In a word...Awesome, Great, Fantastic! (OK 3 words) River is down to 18,000 cfs and just about perfect. Good clarity and it looks like summer flows are in place. Weather has been great for a while and we're into summer time now. PMD's, Caddis, Blue Quills, Choronomids, Sedges, Some Olives, Ants and Streamers. Tribs are in great shape too. Reports from some of the high mountain lakes have been real good also. Mornings and evenings are best right now. Or at least when the sun is off the water. Shade, clouds etc. Time to fish folks, get up here and get on the water!

7/1/05

Koot is high but fishing well. Water temp is in the low 50's. Clarity 5 to 7 feet. Some warmer dry weather moving in for the holiday weekend! Just about perfect! Fish tight up against the banks, in the back eddies / channels, grass beds and downstream side of the islands. Anywhere out of the heavy current. PMD's, Sedges, Caddis, Blue Quills, Choronomids, Ants and Streamers. Tribs are in fine shape too but tough in the bright sun. Mornings and evenings are best when the sun is shining this bright. Come on up and fish!

6/25/05

River is high but fishing well. Good clarity and water temps in the low 50's. Look for fish in the soft water, back eddies, tight against the bank and grass beds . Still at 24,000 cfs but inflow is finally dropping. Maybe another week or so before some more "normal" flows. Tribs are still in great shape and the fishing on them has been nothing short of spectacular. Sedges, Caddis, PMD's and streamers during the day are all taking fish. We'll keep you posted on flows. Get up here and fish!

6/20/05

Well the sun is shining! Steady rain for the last few weeks though have forced some major releases from Libby dam. The river is currently running 24,000 + cfs and with inflows still very high expect it to stay that way for a while. However visibility is good and the fish still have to eat. Look for fish to be tight to the banks and in back eddies and channels out of the heavy current. Pods of fish can be found feeding in the slower water. Sedges, Caddis, PMD's, Ants and Streamers should be your go to flies right now. Tribs are all in great shape despite the rain as most of the run off is higher up in the watershed.

6/10/05

Recent rains in the upper part of the watershed are both a blessing and a curse. Water is being released from the dam at 24,000 cfs right now and at least into the later part of next week. Water clarity is good but the fishing will be tough on the main river anyway. Look for the fish to be up in the grass and in back eddies out of the main current. Streamers, ants, or nymphs down deep are your best bet right now.

On the other hand the tribs are in great shape for wading. Golden stones, Some Salmonflies and Green Drakes still, Spotted Sedges and PMD's just starting.

6/04/05

Kootenai is in great shape. Water is at 14,000 cfs and set to stay that way for a while. Water temp in the mid to upper 40's. Hatches are great. Olives, March Browns, Caddis, Golden Stones, and Midges. Cloudy cooler weather has fish active most of the day. Tribs are in great shape too. Streamers pulling nicer fish as always. So far we're off to a good start so get up here and fish!

5/30/05

First off a big salute to all our troops both past and present. Thank you on this Memorial Day for all that you have, and continue to do!

And now, the fishing. The Koot is on it's way back down to steady flows of approximately 14,000 cfs for the summer. Should be there by June 2nd. It will be in great shape for the rest of the year. We just need another week and the big water should be set to go. Tribs are fishing just about as good as it gets right now. Great water levels and bugs. Salmonfly's, and Green Drakes have been making a good showing for a few days and should continue for another week or two. This is some of the best fishing of the year on the tribs. Go fish!

5/25/05

Well the good news is the tribs are fishing great! Good water, clear and beautiful weather forecasted for the entire week. Streamers pulling some nice fish. Here's just one.The Koot on the other hand is blown. 25,000 cfs for the next few days anyway so Memorial weekend is really just for the smaller streams and lakes. Visibility is several feet though so muddy water is not a problem. Look for Caddis, Drakes, BWO's and the occasional Salmonfly. Koot will be back down in about a week and will be great by the end of the first week in June. Steady flows for the rest of the summer mean great fishing.

5/19/05

River is up, fish are down. As scheduled the Kootenai is up to 15,000 cfs and going to 25,000 cfs in a few days for Sturgeon flows. Flows are expected to remain high through the first week of June when things will level out some where around 15,000 cfs for the next 2 or 3 months. Fishing will be slow until we reach 15,000 again. We'll keep you posted. In the mean time the tribs are looking good for the opener this Saturday. Recent rains have them up a bit and off color but fishable. Throw those streamers!

5/16/05

River scheduled to go to 15,000 cfs in a few days. Yesterdays action was sporadic with a few bugs but the weather kept things pretty quiet. Rain with more coming. River is off color with about 5 feet of visibility. Streamers did produce quite well in the evening though and took some nicer fish. Water temp in around 48 degrees. Flying Ants still showing as well as Baetis, March Browns and the occasion Salmonfly. Caddis in the evenings. Things will quiet down on the water for a while after it comes up so look for the Koot to start rockin again around the second week of June. This rain has brought the tribs up but they are still in great shape for this Saturdays opener. All in all a great spring season.

5/13/05

Water temp 46 - 48 degrees and still a bit off color from run off. River at 4000 cfs. Olives, March Browns, Gray Drakes, Caddis, Flying Ants, and Midges. Mainly afternoons but that is starting to change with some warmer weather. Temps in the 70's for several days. River is scheduled to go to 15,000 cfs on the 19th then gradually up to 25,000 cfs by the 28th then back to 15,000 cfs by the end of the first week in June. Steady flows expected for the rest of the summer so it's looking like a great season up here. Tribs are in great shape for the general season opener on Saturday May 21st. So get here and fish!

5/10/05

It's an absolute bugfest folks! At least for roughly 4 hours right now in the heat of the afternoon. Olives, March Browns, Dark Gray Drakes and Caddis. Fishing is VERY good right now in the afternoon before 6 PM. As soon as the day cools your done. But afternoons are fantastic. Water temps 46 -47 degrees and off color. On and off rain and cloudy with highs 60 - 70. Sun trying to break through. Look for bugs to stay on the water for a while after emerging. Fish have a lot to choose from so time the rises and get your cast right...you will be rewarded. Fish are keying in on different bugs in different sections too. Just watch a couple of rises and change flies accordingly. Good flies right now are Olive Soft Hackles, NO Hackles Olive dries, Parachute Adams, BH Nymphs, Drake Cripples, Para Olives etc. Sizes 20 - 14. Get here and fish. It may only be on for a few hours each after noon right now, but it's 4 hours of fantastic fishing. Great pre season so far. Water is scheduled to come up in about a week so now is the time. Look for higher flows from the dam coming for a few weeks soon.

5/3/05

The last few days have seen cloud cover and cooler temps , mid 60's, with an occasional rain shower. Flying black ants, caddis / sedges, March Browns, choronomids and BWO's have been the key flies. Water temps are still in the mid 40's so dry fly action is limited to the warmer hours of the day. Soft hackles will produce well too for those splashy rising fish that just won't seem to take your dry. Try going a size smaller than you think and sub surface. River is scheduled to go to 20,000 cfs for about 3 weeks from Mid May till June. We have plenty of water for those concerned with drought conditions elsewhere so come on up and fish!

4/25/05

Spring is here in full force. Mid to upper 70's for the last several days. Very bright and sunny. Almost like mid August. Tribs have come up a bit and turned the Koot a bit off color but still very fishable. Tribs are looking great for the opener ot 3rd Sat in May. Koot is fishing great right now. Especially the last couple of hours before dark. Good hatches of Grannoms, Gray Drakes / March Browns and in the last couple of days reports of one of the early seasons best "hatches" have started to come in. Flying Black Ants! This provides some stellar early season action and consistently brings some bigger fish to the surface. Size 14 with a cello or polly wing. Water starting to warm into the mid to upper 40's. Get here and fish! It's time.

4/13/05

Looks like spring flows from the dam for Sturgeon are going to be the last half of May into the first part of June. Expect around 20,000 cfs for a few weeks. A good flow considering the weather this year. Looking for flows to stay consistent throughout the summer too. Much like last year according to the powers that be. Fishing has been fair with BWO's starting to go and a few March Browns. Water still about 42 degrees. Still an afternoon game at this point.

4/9/05

Some warmer weather is here. Mid 50's to low 60's during the day. Water is still chilly tough. 38 -42 degrees. Midges with a few Beatis starting to show. Caddis should be any time now. A few more warm days should really get things going. River is at 4000 cfs but with the recent wet weather look for flows to increase significantly around the 1 st of May. We have plenty of water for spring Sturgeon release from the dam. Spring is here, break out the gear and go fishing!

4/2/05

Still pretty moist up here though some breaks in the clouds today got the temp up to around 48. Water is still chilly but warming a bit. The swallows were going nuts today over what looked to be a fairly good midge hatch. No serious beatis action yet. No noses on the surface either. Things look to be shaping up for next week though as temps are expected to go into the mid 60's or better. We have put a small dent any way in the drought situation with the last few days rain. Good steady soaking rains. River is 4000 cfs and a bit off color. Not too bad though. A bit of sun and a few days of warmth will get things going good here in the next week or so.

3/28/05

Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain!!!! Got at least an inch last night with more headed this way. Put some snow pack back on the peaks too. Tribs are up, looking good for spawners. Koot will be turning a bit off color for the next few days anyway. This pattern is supposed to persist for a week or more anyway and we love it. It's about time. We'll keep you posted. This is shaping up to be an awesome spring fishing season!

3/26/05

We've had a return to more "Normal" weather for a bit here on the Kootenai. Forecast for the next week is for on and off rain / snow. Very happy to see the moisture! It's just about time that the Rainbows and Cutties should be starting to stack up to spawn so a good dumping of rain would be great. Anything to raise the tributaries a bit. Fishing has slowed considerably except for some very limited midge and streamer action. Just about have to bounce it off their noses at this point. But some warmer days will turn things back on quick. This spring is looking to be the best in many years.

3/17/05

The weather has taken a turn for the day anyway. Though the long term water forecast still remains low, last nights rain and snow has at least dampened things a bit. Several inches of snow on the peaks but the valleys remain wet. Temps have dropped to the upper 30's and the fish have dropped too. The newest forecasts are calling for only 40% of normal runoff for the summer. So if there's a bright spot in this picture it's that the early season is looking great right now. With lower flows there will also be a lot more wading in previously inaccessible spots. This summer is looking to be great fishing as well.

3/6/05

Well, the sunny bright warm weather continues. The updated forecast for run off is still 86% for April - Aug so I guess there's a good amount of water in the upper basin. Water was 42 degrees a 3 this after noon. Threw some big streamers for a while but nothing moving. Fish are starting to stack up for spawning at the heads of the tribs and in the upper river below the dam. Still cold at night but days are now into the 60's. Some one do a dance to the weather Gods and get us some moisture!

2/25/05

A week straight of sunshine and warm 50 degree afternoons. River is at 4000 cfs and 38 to 42 degrees. Bright warm sun has produced some active fish for a few hours each afternoon. Mainly midges #24 gray and black. Very spooky fish though as water is gin clear. Some very nice fish are taking big meaty flies worked on a sinking line deep and slow. Leeches, Buggers, Double Bunnies and such. Things are looking great for a prime pre season.
If you can travel on short notice we'd be happy to get you out on the water! Snow pack is paltry through out the pacific northwest. Though we have plenty of water in the reservoir and up higher in the drainage for this year, a good dumping of snow would sure help us all out. Remember that the Kootenai has a huge reservoir behind Libby Dam and if your favorite or normal rivers get shut down this year from drought or warm conditions we should be good. So why not try something new!

2/15/05

River is currently at 4000 cfs and cold. Although a few warmer sunny days have produced some limited activity in the afternoons. Upper snow pack is looking moderate at best so at this point pre season run off and early season activity are looking good. We'll keep you posted. It sure would be nice to pick up a few more snow storms while we still have a bit of winter season left. Temps at night are still in the teens so we have a chance yet!

1/03/05

One word. COLD! This is the first real cold snap we've had all season. And so far the snow pack is on the light side which could mean we're going to have a great early season with no real hard run off. It might also mean a long hot summer. But only time will tell. Still a lot of winter left. Their storing water now in the lake and the flow is back down to about 8000 cfs. Significant drop from where it's been the last month. Fishing is only for the eagles and ospreys right now. 15 degrees makes for frozen line and rods so we're done till spring. March or April anyway. Happy new year every one! We're off to the Fly Fishing Show circuit so we hope to see you there or in the coming season.