This Kootenai River Montana fishing report is being brought to you by Orvis Endorsed Linehan Outfitting. This report will be updated weekly to provide current conditions, weather, hatches, patterns, and flows to our local waters and across the state.
In-flow from Lake Koocanusa: approximately 10,000cfs
Flows from Libby Dam: 10,500
Hatches: midge, baetis, March browns, little stoneflies
Water temperature at stilling basin below Libby Dam: approximately 39 degrees
patterns: zebra midge, Uke’s brown perdigon, wire worm, perdigons, smaller streamers in tan, black and red, midge cluster, parachute Adams, March brown sparkle dun, olive sparkle dun, olive hackle stacker, Pat’s stonefly, flashback pheasant tail nymph,
Runoff has started and discharge from Libby Dam has increased. It will be holding steady at 10,500cfs until later this month. That means conditions will still be favorable depending on daily temperatures. It’s sunny and lovely but that also means snowmelt throughout the day and possibly even through the night. Tributaries may start pushing color. Keep an eye on tributaries and don’t be afraid of a little color. You’ll know when it’s not fishable.
Water temps are still chilly so there’s no need to hit the water early. Most of the action is from 10:00 am to about 5:00 pm.
Nymphing is very productive at the moment. Pat’s rubber legged stoneflies in coffee color and size 16 or 18 mayfly beadheads will get the job done. Four to five feet to indicator with a one BB has been the rig of choice for the crew the last few days.
Streamer fishing is best bet if you’re looking for one solid fish. Again, get the fly down. Fish it slowly and thump and pulse like it’s a wounded minnow. If you get a pull, stop it. Let it sink. Then pulse it again. While not as productive as nymphing throughout the day, pulling junk will move a nicer fish or two.
This time of year fish will be found in slower currents, deep holes, drop-offs, and soft runs. Skip fast water for the most part. Concentrate efforts on walking speed or slower unless you see bugs coming out of faster current. If you see bugs in a specific place, dpexpect fish there as well.
Dry fly action has been pretty good in the afternoons. Olives, March browns and caddis are coming off on both upper and lower river during afternoons. Fish are ready to eat and rising affirmatively when bugs are hatching. This time of year they’re generally going to be grabby but the water is slick and low so getting a good drift is still necessary. Additionally, hatches can be sparse so fish will be moving around in runs. Be patient. Don’t assume you’ve had a refusal if you don’t move a rising fish on first cast. Watch closely. The same fish will rise again the near vicinity.
The Boston Red Sox have been steadily improving over the last couple weeks. Bats are finally contributing and we’re moving men around the bases. Pitching led by Garrett Crochet has been perfectly good. It’s still early and we’ve shown moments of greatness especially with pitching. So long as the arms stay healthy we’re definitely competitive on the mound. Trevor Story is healthy for the first time since July of last year and hitting the ball well and with Bregman next to him at third they make a tight left side infield. It’s early and this team is exciting. Go Sox!
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