Winter has the Kootenai in a rare sweet spot right now, according to Linehan Outfitting’s latest report. With Libby Dam flows holding steady at 4,000 cfs, the river is low, clear, and very fishable. Water temps are hovering around 40 degrees, hatches are limited to midges and a few baetis, and while dry flies aren’t really part of the conversation, the nymph game is solid. With reduced flows and minimal moisture in the forecast, it’s safe to say these conditions should stick around for a bit, making now a great time to get out and cover water.
This is classic winter trout behavior: slow, lazy, and glued to softer water. Skip the riffles and focus on deep, off-current runs, seams, and structure, especially water five feet or deeper. Nymphing is your most consistent play—zebra midges, perdigons, wire worms, Pat’s stoneflies, pheasant tails, hare’s ears, princes, and midge clusters will all get eaten. Set indicators around five feet, add a BB split shot if needed, and you’ll be in the zone. Streamer fans aren’t out of luck either—small tan, black, or red patterns fished slow and deep can move a better-than-average fish. This is the time of year when patience pays off and one good grab can make the day. Stick with it, fish it slow, and don’t be surprised when a quality Kootenai trout shows up to play.
Here is the full report by Linehan Outfitting:
Flows from Libby Dam: 4,000cfs.
Hatches: midge, baetis
Water temperature at stilling basin below Libby Dam: approximately 40 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.
Flows have been reduced for the foreseeable future to 4,000 cfs. This means the Kootenai is very fishable, at least for now. This time of year it’s hard to know what flows might do since it all depends on moisture. But with no real moisture in the extended forecast it’s safe to say flows will remain low for a while.
Don’t expect much in the way of dry fly action. Water temps are sill cold and insect activity is minimal this time of year. That said, nymphing can always bring a few fish and with low flows the entire water column is penetrable right now. Be sure to look for fish in softer water. I mention this every winter in my reports. Trout are lethargic this time of year and will not move very far to feed. Additionally, they will be in off current areas, around cover, and especially in soft runs with depths of 5 plus feet of water. Skip riffles. They’re just not there this time of year. Any of the nymph patterns listed above will move fish and rigs with indicators set about five feet from the top fly will cover most water. One BB split shot should do the trick and you may not even need one if you’re fishing two perdigons.
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.
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