It’s been a mild, wet winter on the Kootenai so far, with cold water and fluctuating flows out of Libby Dam. Fishing windows open up when flows stay steady under about 15,000 cfs, especially for streamers and midge patterns. Colder weather and snow are finally on the way—read the full Linehan Outfitting report below for detailed conditions, flows, and fly recommendations.
Flows from Libby Dam: approximately 20,000cfs.
Hatches: midge, baetis
Water temperature at stilling basin below Libby Dam: approximately 45 degrees
patterns: zebra midge, Uke’s brown perdigon, wire worm, perdigons, smaller streamers in tan, black and red, midge cluster,Pat’s stonefly, flashback pheasant tail nymph, hare’s ears, prince nymphs, circus peanuts, drunk and disorderlies.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! It’s been an extraordinarily mild winter so far. We’ve had moisture, but mostly in the form of rain. Big rain. As some of you may have seen tributaries of the Kootenai blew up due to heavy rain before Christmas causing substantial flooding and subsequent damage to roads and bridges. Since then, we’ve had some snow but it always seems to be followed by more rain. At this point we need the jet stream to shift to the north a bit bring cooler temperatures so the moisture will be snow. And it looks like that trend is about to start. We’re now under a winter storm watch with upwards of 12″ coming in the next forty-eight hours. I have a feeling we’re going to get plenty of snow from January through March as the general weather pattern continues to show lots of moisture.
This time of year the Kootenai is cold and often big. Libby Dam is in power generation mode. That means flows can and likely will fluctuate. They could fluctuate a little, say, from 4000cfs to 6000cfs. Or, they could fluctuate a lot. Like from 6000cfs to 20,000cfs. Generally speaking flows will not fluctuate dramatically during a 24 hour period. The Corps is very good about ramping up slowly and ramping down slowly as well. What does all this mean for fishing opportunities? Pay attention to flows. If it looks like flows will be steady and under 15,000 cfs for a period of 48 hours or more, you could get out and give it a shot.
If you have a hankering, streamer fishing is best bet if you’re looking for one solid fish. Depending on flows, be sure to 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 is the time of year when bigger fish will be bulking up. Stick with it. You’ll get a nice one.
Give a call anytime if you need more Kootenai River details or information on any our hunting or fishing adventures. And please check out our e-commerce site for all Linehan Outfitting branded soft wear and hats and all Orvis gear as well. The new Orvis Helios rods are here and you have to cast one to believe! https://linehan-outfitting.myshopify.com/
Feature photo via Linehan Outfitting
