KOOTENAI RIVER FISHING REPORT
October 9th, 2026
Flows – 4,410 CFS @Leonia
Temp – 55
Flies
https://houseoffly.com/fly-project-imperial-ipt
https://houseoffly.com/umpqua-jigged-cdc-pheasant-tail-tungsten-fly-copper-bead
https://houseoffly.com/kris-keller-s-peach-fuzz
https://houseoffly.com/egans-frenchie-jig-tungsten-bead
https://houseoffly.com/carlson-s-purple-haze-12-pack
https://houseoffly.com/umpqua-e-z-caddis-lawson-fly-tan
https://houseoffly.com/umpqua-tungsten-thin-mint-green-olive-black
https://houseoffly.com/stubby-chubby
https://houseoffly.com/craig-mathews-hi-vis-rusty-spinner
https://houseoffly.com/fly-project-bam-bam-minnow-4
https://houseoffly.com/keller-s-she-demon-bugger
Flows have really come down this week out of Libby dam, and we are now sitting at 4,410 CFS at the Leonia gauge, making clear water conditions and slower flows. Those flows also make for a slower float. And remember, next week is the final week to float from Leonia downstream, as access ends on October 15. The reason for this annual closure is that the Leonia ramp is located on private property; the State of Montana has an easement lease through the property that runs from June 1st through October 15th every year. The property owner picked the 15th of October to be the closing date because that's when he likes to hunt elk on his property.
Fishing has been good and nymphing has been producing best early in the morning until about midday when the dry-fly fishing picks up. We have finally seen some October caddis start to hatch, as well as some mahogany duns. Some blue-wing olives are also in the mix. Streamer fishing has been productive all day long over the drop-offs and near obvious structure along the riverbank. Small sculpin patterns and flashy buggers are working well. We have a pretty substantial cold front coming in (Friday) and that will add some wind and a big drop in daytime and nighttime temps. It could shake things up a bit, but we will just have to see! This is a great time of year to get out on the Kootenai to enjoy some very low-pressure angling before the cold stuff really sets in.
Lake Pend Oreille
Level – 2,059.50’ elevation
Temp – 56-59
Flies
https://houseoffly.com/articulated-sparkle-minnow-jj-special-4
https://houseoffly.com/brita-fordices-just-keep-swimming
https://houseoffly.com/blantons-flashtail-whistler-hc
https://houseoffly.com/chocklett-factory-chockletts-hybrid-changer
https://houseoffly.com/blue-line-co-angel-hair-minnow
https://houseoffly.com/jawbreaker
https://houseoffly.com/keller-s-she-demon-bugger
https://houseoffly.com/umpqua-tungsten-thin-mint-green-olive-black
Lake levels continue to drop as we move through fall; water temps are also coming down quickly. Bass are still hanging around but are getting harder to find as they school up and move deeper. Pike are still out and about, cruising around for an easy meal. As you move out to a little deeper water or around rocky points you can also find some trout that are willing to chase down buggers, bead-head nymphs, and leeches. As the water levels recede on the lake, and water temps start getting even colder, we start to focus more on the river section of the system below town as it heads toward Washington. That stretch favors the fly angler much better than the lake does starting this time of year.
Small Lakes
Temps – 56-59
Flies
https://houseoffly.com/ruby-red-eyed-leech-fly
https://houseoffly.com/phil-rowleys-balanced-leech
https://houseoffly.com/phil-rowleys-bb-micro-leech
https://houseoffly.com/phil-rowleys-fab-chartreuse
https://houseoffly.com/phil-rowleys-tin-man
https://houseoffly.com/phil-rowleys-water-floatman
https://houseoffly.com/phil-rowleys-whotsit
Not much new news to report on the smaller lakes around the area; they are still fishing great with the typical stillwater trout tactics. Full sink lines, full intermediate, and floating lines are a must for this time of year. Having a variety of lines helps you find where the fish are feeding. Leeches, buggers, bead-head nymphs, and attractors, such as blobs and boobies, are all good choices now. Work those flies along the shallow shoals, in water that is anywhere from 15’ deep up to the surface. Most trout should be cruising pretty shallow this time of year, looking for an easy meal. Another thing to remember is to use a dead slow retrieve; it just looks way more realistic than a quick, jerky type.