Spokane River - 1,050 CFS

The weather is heating up, and the flows are going down on the Spokane River. Unlike most rivers in our area, the Spokane River below Sullivan Road will stay cool throughout the summer months thanks to cold water coming from the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prarie Aquifer. Just remember to keep those fish wet and keep handling them to a minimum!

Now that the kids are out of school I’ve gotten back into the habit of getting up early and hitting the water at dawn. This definitely has its advantages in the summer months on the “‘Kan”. Rarely do I encounter anyone else on the river, fishing or otherwise. Trout will still be surface feeding on spent caddis from the night before or maybe some freshly hatched Tricos or pseudos. Approach the water with care as these trout will often be found feeding in less than a couple feet of water.

As the flows continue to drop, you will find more trout nosing into the faster runs. When fishing the riffles and pockets it is usually best to either run a hopper-dropper, or my personal favorite a short-leash rig with a New Zealand Wool Strike Indicator. The wool indicator floats like a cork and is much more subtle than its foam counterparts, making it an excellent choice for low-water conditions.

Top flies for the Spokane River this week include Double-Stack Chubbies, X2 Caddis, Jigged CDC Princes, and Frenchies. As always, if you have questions about the Spokane River please come by and talk to us!

Warmwater

We have been getting a few reports coming from Banks Lake and other area carp waters, but overall angling pressure remains light on these fish. Grab your gear, sunscreen, and get after it! Just remember to stalk softly and fish the appropriate flies.

Same deal with our ample bass waters: lots of fish but very few fly anglers pursuing them. Smallmouth on the Spokane Arm of the Columbia River? Always a safe bet. Largies on Silver Lake and Jump Off Joe? Absolutely! We just got a fresh batch of poppers into the shop for all of you topwater enthusiasts!

Wayne Jordan

West Spokane House of Fly