WATER TEMP: LOW 40S’ TO MID 40’S

CDA FLOW: 268 CFS @ CATALDO

ST JOE FLOW: 341 CFS @ CALDER

CLARKFORK MT: 2,850 CFS @ ST REGIS

SPOKANE: 1,130 CFS @ POST FALLS

CLEARWATER: 3,130 CFS @ SPALDING

I hope everyone enjoyed the wonderful weather we had over the last week. Fall in the Northwest is truly a special time of year. All of the maple trees around town are changing, and the cottonwoods on our local rivers are getting into their peak colors. Cold mornings and warm afternoons are still providing good fishing, but it is definitely pushing the bite window later in the day. Nymphing will be most productive throughout the morning, but look for heads coming up early afternoon until dark. This time of year, I start to focus my efforts on the lower portions of our rivers. Prichard down on the CDA, and Avery down on the St Joe. The upper portions will still fish, but the colder water temperatures are going to be more of a factor the higher in the river system you go.

Hatches

As we get further into fall, expect to see sparser and smaller hatches. Mahogany duns (#14-16), BWOs (#18-22) and midges (#18-22) are all going to be pretty consistent. You may still see some larger October caddis (#6-10) and various smaller caddis. Before the bugs get going, nymphing will be more productive. Baetis nymphs, such as a Juju Baetis, Perdigons, Pheasant Tails, etc., in the #16-20 range can be very productive. Large (8-12) rubber legs in black/brown can work well for the October caddis nymphs that may still be kicking around. Other bugs I would consider are PTs, Walts Worms, Copper Johns, etc., with a pink/orange bead. As fall progresses, the whitefish will start to spawn, and a hot beaded nymph can be very productive.

Streamers

The streamer bite can be killer in the fall! Fish know that winter is coming, so they will start to get as fat and as happy as they can this time of year. With that being said, when the water gets low and clear like it is, I tend to downsize my streamers and go with more natural and subtle colors. #10 Overcoats in olive, brown, white/gold are good choices. Near Nuffs in the 6-10 range are good choices too. As always, covering water is the name of the game in streamer fishing. I like to start at the head of a run, and slowly swing my flies throughout the run to cover as much water as possible. As the water cools, swing speed can become a factor. Too fast, and the fish may not want to chase as their metabolism starts to slow. In the fall, you can do most of your streamer fishing with a floating line and a 9 foot leader. An aggressive sink-tip is usually a little too much for the low flows that fall brings.

Water Levels and Floating

Flows on all the rivers are hanging in there.  The Clark Fork came up a fair bit last weekend, and the Cda and Joe are staying fairly level over the last week. Looks like the beginning of next week temperatures are dropping and the possibility of rain starting late Monday/Tuesday.  Not sure how much rain we will get but any is a good thing now.  Hoping that any moisture coming turns to snow up high. Nighttime lows here in town are in the low to mid-30s, which should equate to high 20s to low 30s at higher elevations.  And I’d imagine that would mean snow. The Cda and Joe are still pretty skinny.  The Joe is more floatable than the Cda and has more put in and take out options at these flows.  The Clark Fork is good to go on any of the floats below St. Regis or above towards Superior or beyond. The Clearwater is very doable in a driftboat, but any jet boaters need to be very cautious now.  Flows are pretty low and you’ll need to know the river well now to avoid shallow rocks and gravel bars.

Steelhead

I’m sure many have heard, but steelhead have been closed to harvest throughout the Clearwater River. Fortunately, they are still open to angling. The low counts are very sad, but on the bright side, there will be significantly less angling pressure. Despite the low counts, fish are still being caught! The Snake and the Ronde are producing fish as well. You can still use dry lines and hair wings, but I would plan on throwing light tips as the water gets cooler. Hoh Bos and Kilowatts on a T-8 or T-11 sink-tip are good choices right now.

Deals

As Tyler mentioned last week, we have some truly special sales going on right now. Duck Camp’s Gulf Pant and No Fly Zone gulf jacket are both half-off, and better yet for every purchase, $5 dollars goes back to conserving redfish habitat along the Texas coast through FlatsWorthy Texas. I’ve been rocking the No Fly Zone jacket the last few weeks, and its been a great lightweight shoulder season hoodie!

Fly Tying Classes

Keep an eye out for our Fall Fly Tying Class signup sheet.  We are looking forward to starting the classes in the 3^rd week of November.  We will be running these classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Will have the times on our signup sheets.  The classes are free as always; we supply all the materials and tools with a 10% discount on fly tying materials the day of the class.  Great class for all skill levels!  Hope to see you guys in the shop this fall and hear some stories of great fishing!

Happy Fall!

Kris