Northwest Fishing Reports

Has anyone out there fished the spokane river yet? I went out last night from 730 to dusk, fished under the bridge near sfcc and landed a 13" bow. It bit on a foam ant, tried a few different flys with no luck. Anyone do any better this year?

The water is still a little high for the areas I like to fish (state line to trent bridge). I did notice that they planted Brown Trout 3 weeks ago in the lower section right where you were fishing.

Pheasant tail's, Hare's Ear and Copper Johns usually work in the upper section and light dry flies as well.

I haven't fished the lower section in many year.

Tight Lines!

Still a bit early for me, too. I'll let the water drop a bit more before heading down. I've caught many a fish in that hole immediately under that bridge, TJ Menoch (sp?) I believe.

Wow, you got one a dry pattern? While not impossible, it's a somewhat rare event on that river. I usually nymph it with the patterns Rooscooter mentioned....soft hackle PTs, PTs, hare's ears and caddis.

Don't forget the Turk's Tarantula !

Hey thanks for the info! Im still pretty new to fly fishing, only my second year. Looks like im gonna have to make a trip out to sportsmans to pick up some new flys. Ya i was fishing directly under tj menoch bridge on the east side. Planning on trying it again soon.

I love your screen name, and then the fact you are also a multi-species fishermen. Good Man!:cheers:

I fish from the State Line down to Mirabou Park, and while the Caddis should be starting to get thick there, the water is just too high for me this and last year. Perhaps in a couple of weeks.

Still, dry fly fish are not that common even then, but they are catchable. I also like the nympths, some odd creations for sure, that seem to really work there.

Now, for the Bass side of your name, don't forget the upper stretch for SMB im late June of July.

A few years back, when I was addicted to dry fly fishing courtesy of the CD'A and Clark Fork rivers, I got a few Spokane river bows on Stimulators fished tight to the banks. This was well into the summer, after it had gained definition and the fish podded up in the holes.

Maybe I'll try it again this year.....and Marc's Turk's Tarantula (which is great on the Clark Fork also).

I thought the Turks was my little secret! Dang ,cat's out of the bag. Give the river a little more time. As the flows get into the summer mode the fishing gets better. During the evening I rarely throw a dry down there since those fish you see rising are not taking adults but chasing emergers. Swing a soft hackle caddis emerger and do not forget the hang down.

Above Deer Park:-$ many smaller streams loaded with Brookies as well:cheers:

Hmmmmm......maybe I'll have to run a small dropper under a Turk's Tarantula, for they are usually killing emergers in the evening.

And I learned the hard way about the vicious strikes that come at the end of the swing. I was allowing all my line to play out and got snapped off several times. That's why I prefer dry flies....I'm still working on my nymphing techniques! Now I keep a couple feet of slack in my left hand. Additionally, letting it hang downstream at the end of the swing for up to 30 seconds can be very productive.

I talked to a guy at work today who told me he's been getting trout on the lower river. Says it's still running high but he's been nynphing pocket water along the bank and doing OK, despite being told that it's too early to hit it!