STILL TIME TO ENJOY SUMMER FISHING
I often wondered why people don't fish every week, or perhaps at least every other week? It's a weird concept to me to not go fishing consistently. The average angler gets out approximately 13 times a year. No matter what the conditions or what's on the agenda there is ALWAYS SOMETHING to fish. Okay, I won't go on my rant any further, you catch my drift. :)
I've put in a few early mornings on the Spokane before the shop opens and have had fairly good success. Bo, BJ, Randy, and Taylor have all reported the same thing on
Spokane Guided Trips... cold water, plenty of riffles, and active fish. The dry / dropper game this time of the year can be pretty fun. Plus the fact it is as easy at it gets to wade the Spokane River right now. Water is temping at a chilly 58-60 during the open hours.
Last Sunday Mike, Jen and I took a drive to the NF Coeur d'Alene, and then the St. Joe, to see how our favorite cutthroat rivers were fairing. We drove in the back way to the CDA via Fernan Saddle and toured the whole river down to Prichard. Like we expected the upper river and tribs were pretty skinny and not really worth fishing. Water temp though was pretty good at 62 degrees around 12pm. Near the Prichard area and below there are some slots to fish if you are determined to head here. The drive over to the St. Joe was definitely more positive however. We stopped along the NF St. Joe at numerous spots and found most decent size pools and pockets held at least 1 or 2 fish in them. Mega fun on a light fly rod. We were able to sneak a few cast in on the main St. Joe just above Avery in the evening which was fishing very good. The St. Joe cutthroats were very into the caddis and pmx style patterns as the sun settled. Water on Sunday here temped 64 degrees at 6pm. On the warmer days I do recommend fishing early and checking temps in the heat of the afternoon just to be on the safe side. The lower river below Avery warms up quicker in the slow water.
Water conditions are lower this year, however, I think there are plenty of options still for great, safe fishing... you just got to look at your tactics a little differently.
Thanks for your support,
- Sean Visintainer
DON'T OVERLOOK THE INSIDE CORNER POCKETS
Current seams are formed along the banks when there is a rock point or change in the bank structure. These current seams are often great places to find fish because they funnel food into a defined location. Trout sit on the soft, or "bank-side", of these current seams, picking food off as it floats by.
So what is an "Inside Corner Pocket" you ask? READ MORE
HOW-TO CATCH STEELHEAD PRESENTATION
Yes, it is that time of the year again... time to start thinking about annual summer run steelhead making their way up to our neck of the woods. Steelhead are just starting to trickle into the Clearwater River near Lewiston and will soon be entering the Snake / Grande Ronde in another month or so. We have already heard of a few steelhead swung up on the lower Clearwater. If you would like to learn more about Steelheading Basics we will be having our annual Steelhead Presentation here at the shop on 2 select dates.
DATES: 9/1 or 9/14
TIME: 6pm - 8pm
COST: $20 - Must prepay to enroll
PRESENTER: Sean Visintainer
CONTACT: 509.924.9998
MORE INFO: https://www.silverbowflyshop.com/education/steelhead-clinic/
Spokane River Float/Garbage Pick-up with the Riverkeeper Organization - 8/11/15
640 pounds of trash picked up on a 4hr float! That was just with 2 boats!
GETTING INVOLVED
Spokane has numerous organizations that are invested in protecting our local resources. Here are links to 3 that Silver Bow supports annually.
Spokane River Forum
A fantastic organization that is involved in all things Spokane River. A big proponent of river access. I recently joined the board as voice for anglers.
Spokane River Keeper - Center for Justice
Jerry White and his crew do a tremendous job of removing trash from the river amongst numerous other projects for a fishable and swimmable Spokane River.
Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited is always on the forefront of protecting the wild fish we love on waters such as the Spokane. This organization is a huge voice for our native Redband fish in the Spokane and has been apart of many projects to restore them.
NF CLEARWATER PHOTO ESSAY - BY JON COVICH
Jon Covich and his 2 boys recently got back from their annual North Idaho "No Mom - No Rules" camping / fishing trip. He shared with us some incredibly good photos from his week long trip through the wilds of North Idaho. Fishing was good overall Jon reports, some days better than others, but overall good. Jon is a longtime manufacturer rep for companies like Galvan Reels, Spirit River, Flywater Travel and can be seen featured regularly in Brian O'Keefe's online publication Catch Magazine.
