Stillwater Trout

This burst of warm weather has bugs on the move! Indicator fishing with chironomids and damselfly nymphs have been the most consistent producer. However, if you want to test your dry-fly game, have some adult midge patterns ready. When you spot a feeding trout pay attention to the rise forms to see which direction the fish is going and place your fly a couple feet in front of it. If it’s a windy day, they’ll set up in feeding lanes just like trout in a river and let the food come to them. If this is the case, cast your fly upwind and let it drift down to them.

With the warm weather it also sounds like some of area lakes are starting to turn over. When this annual phenomenon happens fishing can get difficult due to water turbidity and weeds floating around. The good news is that turnover doesn’t last that long on most of our area lakes, especially with the windy conditions we had earlier in the week. Get out there and do some exploring this weekend as looks to be perfect fishing weather with overcast conditions in the forecast!

Warmwater Species

Bass, crappie, and carp are also getting more active in the shallows as spawning season slowly starts to ramp up. Long Lake, Banks Lake, and Sprague Lake are a few to consider if you’re interested in diversifying the species you catch.

Most people don’t associate strike indicators when it comes to fishing for bass and carp, but it’s an extremely effective technique. Especially during the spring months when these fish may not chase down a fly but will readily eat an easy meal suspended under an indicator. Balanced flies work great for trout, and pretty much every other fish that swims in the region!

Spokane River

The Spokane River from the WA/ID border downstream to Nine Mile Dam closed on Saturday, March 15. Time to give those redbands a rest and let them spawn in peace! This stretch of river will re-open on Saturday, May 23.