The trick, of course, is catching them on this massive and somewhat intimidating river. The first dry fly fishing of the year begins in May, with the best dry fly fishing occurring during the summer. The sheer size of the river also intimidates many anglers who lack a boat. Don’t try this without a whitewater kayak. The Kootenai River also holds the state record for mountain whitefish at more than five pounds, which was also caught just below Libby Dam in 1987. The rivers characteristics also make wade fishing difficult. The river level is subject to sudden flow increases that affect both the fly fishing and the safety of the wade fisherman. Current fly fishing reports and conditions for Kootenai River in Montana! Very tough, portable and easy to setup. If you see some 60 degree days you might still raise a fish. The end of May through June normally sees high run off so our private water, lakes and tributaries are our focus then. The best fishing on this section is found above Kootenai Falls. A stealthy approach to these trout, though, will be required, as they can be quite skittish in the shallow water along the shoreline. Water levels continue to be relatively high all the way into early September, but fishing will cool off significantly around November. The Kootenay (spelled Kootenai in the U.S. and historically called the Flatbow) is a major river in southeastern British Columbia and flows through Montana and Idaho. Install this DIY Fly Fish on your iPhone and then Add to Home Screen, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"62516":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default Palette","value":{"colors":{"62516":{"val":"var(--tcb-skin-color-0)"}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Kootenai River in Montana, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in Glacier National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Gallatin River in Montana, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Teton River in Montana, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Boulder River in Montana, [DIY] Guide to Fly Fishing the Clark Fork River in Montana, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Ruby River in Montana, DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in Montana. This 17-mile stretch can be daunting to some anglers, as the river is very wide here and the flows can be quite fast at times. The Kootenai is almost always ready to go by July. It will be updated frequently or as conditions change. It may not be the typical blue sky experience of Montana fishing, but this river may have even more to offer anglers who are up for the challenge. If there is ever a good time to wade fish the Kootenai River, this high water period is it. It’s secluded and scenic with a series of riffles, pools and meanders. A convenient take out point is located just above the falls. The river is just so large and fast, that often by the time you recognize a hole you have little or hope of rowing over to fish it in time. The Kootenai River’s canyon section flows between Montana’s Libby Dam and Bonners Ferry. It is one of the uppermost major tributaries of the Columbia River, which is the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean. These areas provide a mix of current, allowing the fish to find relief from the strong currents of the Kootenai. Because the waters of the river are regulated by the dam, the flows and water levels can be erratic. To fish in Montana, most anglers need two licenses: a Conservation License and a Fishing License. It will be updated frequently or as conditions change. Providing a truly uncrowded setting the Kootenai River maintains a high quality trout fishery. Additionally, the China Rapids, just upstream from Kootenai Falls, provides excellent fishing in the deep holes found among the rocks and boulders. Don’t pull up to the Kootenai River expecting to take home several large rainbow trout every day when chasing these trophy fish. Hatches in early summer mean that caddis flies are a must for this time of year. The Kootenai River begins in British Columbia and flows through northwest Montana and Libby. Due to the whitewater, don’t expect to do much fishing while floating through the gorge. For the angler who wants to increase the chances of catching a larger rainbow trout and who is skilled at nymph fishing, popular and effective patterns include the Hare’s Ear Beadhead nymph and the Prince nymph, in sizes 16-20. The Kootenai River is a daunting river for fly fishing. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. Due to the low elevation the river flows through, this part of Montana can be surprisingly warm during the summer months—so be prepared for some potentially warm days during any heat waves that happen to hit Montana. Kootenai River Flow: 7,000 Cubic Feet per second, 10-12 foot visibility, 57 degrees. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to make your visit to Northwest Montana more enjoyable. A fine boat ramp is found just downstream from Libby Dam, and several other boat ramps are also found between the dam and the town of Libby. Fisher River Flow: 177 cfs Yaak River Flow: 313 cfs Thompson River: 281 cfs Fishing Report: The River has stabilized at 7k, and most of the glacial silt has settled out. While wade fishing can still be deadly in these high currents, wade anglers can generally stick right along the shoreline in the slower water, wading up or down the river, casting to the trout that will be found in the flooded vegetation. A third area to look for are any noticeable deep pools. Traditional dry fishing techniques can be useful in catching rainbows in high quantity during summer. When the water levels rise, large portions of vegetation can be flooded, and there will also be plenty of deep pools filled with trout if you are able to spot them. Like all rivers, the Kootenai River generally runs fastest in the middle of the river, with slower flowing sections found closer to shore. Kootenai River Outfitters is licensed by the Montana Board of Outfitters and operates under permits from the Three Rivers Ranger District of the USDA / National Forest Service. Lots of patience. The Kootenay (Kootenai in the U.S. and historically called the Flatbow) is a major river in southeastern British Columbia, Canada and northern parts of the U.S. states of Montana and Idaho. Copyright 2021 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. Joe D. beat them up all over the river for a week. Additionally, for the angler who lacks the boat, an easier major river to access than the Kootenai River is not easily found. This section of the Kootenai River travels for seventeen miles. The popular Wolly Bugger, in sizes ranging from 4 – 2/0, is an excellent fly to use at this time. Kootenai Angler is a fully licensed and insured fishing outfitter. Just remember that to catch these monster trout requires patience. Guided fly fishing well off the beaten path, in Montana and Idaho’s Kootenai River Country. Since the water is fed from Libby Dam, the water also tends to remain cool. With its peak flows being during the summer, fly fishing tactics are somewhat different than found on other Montana rivers. This Kootenai River fishing report is brought to you by Orvis Endorsed Outfitter Linehan Outfitting and provides current Kootenai River and fishing conditions. One area is around the many feeder rivers and streams of the Kootenai River. This Kootenai River fishing report is brought to you by Orvis Endorsed Outfitter Linehan Outfitting and provides current Kootenai River and fishing conditions. From novice to advanced our team of experienced guides will work with you to ensure you and your family have the very best experience. There are a number of area fly shops and on-line retailers that publish Kootenai River fishing reports. Linehan Outfitting Company is the best local source for all information surrounding the Kootenai River. During early spring and late fall when water levels are lower, the river narrows significantly and there will be extensive gravel bars exposed along the banks. Below the gorge, the Kootenai River continues on towards Idaho, with only a few riffles and small waves to deal with, and should not pose any problems for a floater of any skill level. Instead, massive streamers—up to five inches long—are the flies of choice when chasing these trophy trout. Successful fishing can begin on the Kootenai River as early as March for those willing to tolerate the elements. Fly Fishing the Kootenai River in Northwest Montana However, it is the area below Libby Dam that presents the best fly fishing experience, and that is the portion of the Kootenai on which we will focus this article. For larger nymphs and streamers a 9-foot 6-wt with a sink tip fly line makes life easier. Start times varying as the season progresses. River levels are controlled by the Libby Dam upstream in Montana, so boaters should be alert that river levels can rise or lower quickly. Fly fishing in Montana is an experience not to be forgotten. Libby Dam outflow is expected to remain at 7 kcfs through August. Except for two sections, floating the Kootenai River is not difficult, and offers a pleasant float. Dave had a long list of things we had to do while here and we’ve done many. Fishing pressure on this section of the Kootenai River is also less than found further upstream. The scenery is nice and the current is fast, especially during high water. The Kootenai River flows through Libby and Troy and offers Blue Ribbon trout fishing. The Lower Kootenai, like further upstream, runs big, broad and fast. We are a close-knit, family-run business and pride ourselves on showing our guests unforgettable experiences on and off the river. These two factors, along with no water diversions for irrigation, combine to allow the Kootenai River to avoid the “dog days of August” that often plague some other fine Montana trout streams. Prime floating conditions occur with river flows between 8000-12,000cfs. By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Linehan Outfitting Company, 482 Upper Ford Road, Troy, MT, 59935, fishmontana.com. As any angler can tell from looking at these numbers, the Kootenai River, besides being big and broad, holds some very large fish indeed. During lower flows (during the winter, late fall and early spring), extensive gravel bars are also exposed, while during the higher flows of early summer the shoreline vegetation is often flooded to a depth of several feet. From the class V+ area of Kootenai Falls to easy day floats along the lazy river. The Kootenai River is so big, so broad, so deep and fast flowing that deciding where to start is no simple task. Also, we realize some of our fishing clients are reluctant to travel or fly with fishing gear. kootenai-river-montana-fly-fishing-waters. Last Day Fly Fishing the Kootenai River 20 April, 2020 Categories: Kootenai Angler. Fly-fishing is far more than our profession, it’s our way of life. Montana's record small mouth bass was caught on a Kootenai National Forest lake. Additionally, Highway 37 closely follows the Kootenai River for much of its length to Libby, providing easy car access. Bridge to Kootenai Falls on the Kootenai River. Due to the constant fluctuation in river levels and the effect it has on rapids, it is highly recommended to scout the rapid before running it. This section, though, also has some riffles and rocks which provide some nice habitat for the trout. A Kootenai River fishing trip is a spectacular and unique experience. If we can be of assistance in any way to make your stay more enjoyable, please don’t to hesitate to let us know. For anglers who aren’t interested in chasing after the trophy-sized trout that are found in the Kootenai River just below the dam, the Kootenai River has excellent populations of rainbow trout that average in the 12-15 inch range. Get directions to access points, boat ramps, and real-time USGS stream flow data. In 1973, the Libby Dam was built, forming Lake Koocanusa and which extends back into Canada. When chasing the larger trout of the Kootenai River it is worth remembering that a large trout feeds heavily on other fish, unlike the smaller trout that get most of their diet from aquatic insects. The best fishing in the Kootenai will begin just below Libby Dam. Unlike many other rivers in Montana, the holes on the Kootenai River are usually not all that obvious at a casual glance. The river then flows through a rapids called the “China Rapids”, so named because a group of Chinese gold miners attempted to float through these rapids instead of portaging, and capsized their raft which sent all their gold and all but one man to the bottom of the river. Four miles below the dam, a short class III rapid, called the Jennings Rapid, can either be floated through or easily portaged. During July and lasting through August, in addition to using the dry flies described above, terrestrial patterns are successfully used, particularly if the summer is a hot and dry one. The Kootenai River holds the state of Montana's rainbow trout record as well as its whitefish record. Great fishing usually continues well into the end of October. Montana Fishing Report 11-30-2020 November 30, 2020 This Kootenai River fishing report is brought to you by Orvis Endorsed Outfitter Linehan Outfitting and provides current Kootenai River and fishing conditions. A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 6X to match the flies you are throwing, is pretty standard. The best rainbow trout fishing on the Kootenai River is found above Kootenai Falls, although the lower river of the Kootenai is making a comeback due to recent changes in fishing regulations. The water will still remain relatively cool even in the middle of August, and this time of year can present some real opportunities for catching some of the very large trout in the Kootenai. Copyright 2002 - 2020 Big Sky Fishing.Com. Other than these changes in the character of the river, fishing between Libby and Kootenai Falls is not much different than found further upstream. Two miles below the rapid, the Kootenai River goes over Kootenai Falls and then enters a gorge. Northwest Montana has long, cold, cloudy winters, and a March fishing trip in this part of the state is unlikely to be a warm one. The Kootenai River begins in Kootenay National Park in British Columbia. Just be careful where you hop. Our Kootenai River fly fishing guides and trips are some of the best around. Just below China Rapids, the Kootenai River flows over Kootenai Falls, a thirty-foot waterfall that requires a portage of all boats except for advanced paddlers in whitewater kayaks. The Parachute Adams, Blue Winged Olive and the Pale Morning Dun are very effective dry flies to use when fly fishing the Kootenai River during the summer, in sizes ranging from 16-22. We try to be wherever the fishing is best at the moment, and luckily for us, we have a lot of water to choose from, a key factor in making a fishing trip a success. The rivers characteristics also make wade fishing difficult. This is also the best time for wade fishing, as the water levels will usually still be relatively low. Get the latest up to date fly fishing report for rainbow, westlope cutthroat, bull trout, mountain whitefish fishing in Kootenai River with the top producing flies and recommended equipment to get you into fish. Additionally, its sheer size makes finding prime fishing areas a challenge, especially for anglers lacking a boat. The odds of catching these fish on a dainty dry fly, however, are very slim. Below Libby Dam, even at low flows, the Kootenai River is wide and has a very quick current. The rainbow trout frequently move into these flooded waters in search of terrestrial insects, such as grasshoppers and ants. But until recently, it lacked nutrients to produce many trout and grow them larger. Linehan Outfitting Company is the best local source for all information surrounding the Kootenai River. About Kootenai Angler Kootenai Angler has been in business for 35 years offering guided fly fishing trips and cabin rentals on the Kootenai River in North West Montana. The Kootenai River's strong currents and unyielding waters created numerous broad river valleys and deep gorges. For the very best Montana #smallstream fly fishing, Lee’s private water does not disappoint. If you are looking for a new and exciting fishing experience, the Kootenai River in western Montana could be a breath of fresh air. The Kootenai River jumped to prominence in 1997 when the state record rainbow trout was caught near Libby Dam, a monstrosity of a fish that was thirty-eight inches in length and weighed thirty-three pounds. The true monster fish, for those with the patience to chase them, are typically found within a mile or two downstream from Libby Dam. One section known as China Rapids presents some excellent fishing opportunities in the deep pools found around the many rocks and riffles here. The area past the falls and before the Idaho border is the lowest elevation in all of Montana, and this can present some unique opportunities and surprisingly warm weather. While fishing the Kootenai can provide a unique and exciting experience for anglers, the river is not without its challenges. After emerging from the gorge, the Kootenai River continues on, with only small riffles and waves, to the Idaho border, which also is the lowest point of elevation in Montana. Additionally, many of these braids and channels are not nearly as deep as out in the main current. If you need a fix work a nymph deep. Both fish were caught below Libby Dam. For any angler who will be fishing the Kootenai River for the first time, concentrating their efforts around these braids and channels (although a boat will generally be needed to float down to them), will be time well spent. The state record rainbow trout was caught just below libby dam-- a giant of a fish weighing 33 pounds and measuring 38 inches in length! 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