Fall is creeping into northwest Montana, and the Kootenai River is fishing exceptionally well, with cooler temperatures, partly cloudy skies, and plenty of hungry trout keeping anglers entertained. According to Linehan Outfitting‘s September 16, 2026 report, “The Kootenai is presently fishing really well,” and dry flies are still stealing the show.
Big bugs remain a solid bet, but if the fish get fussy, downsize to a #16 purple or yellow Haze, or tempt them with a tiny ant, X-caddis, or Uke’s brown perdigon dropper. Nymphing isn’t really necessary unless you’re digging into deeper water, while streamers are the way to go if you’re hunting for one of the river’s bigger residents. As Linehan puts it, “Keep swinging. You’ll get a nice one.” With flows around 6,500 cfs, water temperatures near 55 degrees, and pleasant fall weather in the forecast, the Kootenai is offering plenty of reasons to trade your daily routine for a day on the river.
You can reach Linehan Outfitting in Troy, Montana at 800-596-0034 or info@fishmontana.com.
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