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Our Private Access Fly Fishing Water*
Thick and healthy football shaped Native Westslope Cutthroats, Rainbows, Brookies, as well as Native Bull Trout*, and hybrids of the above all inhabit this water. 16" fish are common with some topping the 20" mark. (*Bull Trout are an endangered protected species and though we do not purposely fish for them if you do catch one PLEASE release it immediately.) A good bit of stealth and precise accurate casting are essential to fool these native and wary fish.
Gin clear water, log jambs, pool after pool, riffles, undercut banks and tight casting define this creek. Incredible views along with some of the most beautiful water one can find anywhere make this a unique and memorable place. With almost 3 miles of water to explore and breathtaking scenery in every direction this is one of the true gems in this part of the country.
Many days we also share the stream with the local wildlife. Moose and Deer are common along with the occasional Bear. Most days our resident Eagles will do a fly by too.
When
The ranch water (Lake Creek) is situated at the top of the
Bull Lake / Lake Creek watershed and should be ready to go when the season opens on the 3rd Saturday of May, and depending on conditions continues to produce great fishing until Aug. After this a lot of the Bulls and Brookies spawn in the tributaries and the Bows and Cutties will follow to feed on the eggs. Lower water will also drive the fish back into the lake as the season progresses. However some of the bigger resident fish do remain in the stream.
When the early season run off has the Koot "blown out" our ranch water and other surrounding tributaries offer some of the best fishing to be had anywhere.
Blizzard like hatches of Caddis occur here as early as April. Big fish move into the stream from the lake to gorge themselves on fry and other bait fish after a long winter. The season kicks off with Salmonfly's, Golden Stones, Green and Gray Drake's. We also see hatches of Baetis, PMD's, March Browns, Mahogany Duns, Little Blue Quills and Midges.
As the weather warms early morning or evenings produce the best bugs, as well as the best time to be on the water. But a well placed fly any time of day will routinely take fish.
So be ready to throw some streamers and skirt some caddis. Ants, hoppers, PMX's, Big Bugs, etc are staples as the weather warms.
Stewardship*
Please remember that fly fishing guests at the KRO Ranch will primarily be spending the day guided fly fishing on the big water of the Kootenai and other water. We cannot guarantee that all will have a chance for an opening to a guided day on the ranch water. This is special water and we intend to keep it that way. If all were to "have at it", then it would not remain so.
During the summer months especially we will rest the lower water for at least one or two days between guided trips. So reserve early in order to ensure a day or two on the ranch water as there are only so many days to go around.
This water is not for the beginner, it is way too technical. It is for the experienced Fly Fisher looking for an exceptional piece of water. Beginners are always welcome though and for the novice just starting out we offer instruction on the Kootenai, top end of the creek, other tributaries, and Bull Lake.
You should also be in fairly good shape before spending a day wading this water as it is the way nature has left it. (I.E. no trails stream side.) Deep holes, log scrambles and one way wading chutes along with thick cover and only a few easy exits make it a some what challenging wade.
*Please Note:
In order to protect this water as much as possible
we
limit the lower beat on our private access water, roughly a
1.5 mile section, to guests of the ranch,
guided catch and release fly fishing only,
barbless hooks and 2 rods per day.
There is however plenty of other water available within walking distance of your guest house for those days when you need more than a full day on the Kootenai or elsewhere.
