The crew at Linehan Outfitting is happy to report that as of June 21, 2026, the Kootenai is officially hitting that sweet summer feel as Libby Dam dials back the flows to wrap up the sturgeon spawning pulse. While wading still requires a bit of extreme cardio, boat fishing is hitting a prime sweet spot as the river drops below 20,000 cfs. The trout—bless their lethargic little hearts—are finally eager to eat after a long winter nap, but they aren’t interested in chasing down a marathon runner. Stick to the soft, deep runs (think 5+ feet) and target the off-current pockets where they’re hunkered down. If you want to get tight, keep your focus on these specifics:

• Flow Dynamics: Currently cruising at 17,500 cfs, but dropping in increments down to 12.0 kcfs by Tuesday morning.
• The Bug Menu: A coffee-colored Pat’s Stonefly paired with a Perdigon or Zebra Midge under a 5–6 foot indicator rig will keep you busy. If you’re hunting a trophy, swing some Circus Peanuts or Drunk & Disorderlies with a slow, wounded-minnow pulse.
• Surface Action: Keep an eye out for Midges, Baetis, PMDs, and Caddis later in the day. In the softer water, these early-season rising fish are delightfully user-friendly.

When you’re not out-thinking the local trout population, Linehan Outfitting has you covered for gear upgrades; the new Orvis Recon and Helios rods are in, and people say they are practically an unfair advantage. Give them a shout if you want to book an adventure, and check out the gear and Linehan-branded apparel at Linehan Outfitting Shop.