Kootenai River

The Kootenai is firing right now, with cold tailwater from Libby Dam keeping fish energized even as air temperatures climb into the upper 80s. As of August 26, flows were stable at 8,400 cfs at Porthill and water temps held at a prime 61°F. Caddis are hatching every evening and hoppers are thick on the landscape, especially when the wind kicks up—consider dry-dropper rigs with caddis patterns, PMDs, ants, and terrestrials. Fish are running 12–16 inches and feeding confidently, with the best stretch below Kootenai Falls from Leonia down to the Moyie confluence on the Montana side.