Kootenai River Fishing Report July 26-31, 2018 by Dave Blackburn’s Kootenai Angler

Kootenai River Fishing Report July 26-31, 2018 by Dave Blackburn’s Kootenai Angler
By angelamontana

Posted: July 30, 2018

Here’s the latest for the Kootenai, Yaak and Fisher Rivers from Dave Blackburn’s Kootenai Angler:

Kootenai River Flow: 9,000 Cubic Feet per second, 8 foot visibility, 60 degrees

Yaak River Flow: 173 CFS

Fisher River Flow: 136 CFS

Hatches: Caddis, PMD’s, Hoppers, Black Flying Ants, Little Olive Stones, Midges, BWO, And Large Carpenter Ants

Effective Patterns

Dry: Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, Parachute Adams #14-20, Purple Haze #16-20, Sparkle Dun #14-18, PMD Thorax #14-16, Rusty Spinner #16-18, Tan Stimulator #8 and 10, Griffiths Gnat, small Golden and Olive Stones, Standard Adams, Red Quill, Sunken Black Ants, Grasshoppers, Chubbies.

Nymph and Streamers: Da Bomb, Beadhead Prince, Pheasant Tail, Stones and Midge Pupa. Black/Olive Conehead Wooly Buggers, Kokanee Killers, Thin Mint Buggers

Fishing Report: River is up to 60 degrees, and flows are down around 9k, with excellent visibility. Fish have moved in to the riffles, and they seem to be fully aware that now is the time to put on some pounds. There have been some THICK clouds of Caddis in the evening, as well as some great PMD action in the late morning and late evenings. Grasshoppers are in full swing and working well, and we’ve been seeing a fair amount of flying black ants on the surface. Finding some good fish with streamers and nymphs during the hot part of the day.