Kootenai River

The Kootenai is running strong and cool for late August, with flows holding steady near 8,400 cfs at Porthill. Hoppers and smaller nymphs are producing, but the real story is the building dry fly action—mayfly activity and evening caddis hatches are drawing fish. You'll find rainbows, cutthroat, bull trout, and the occasional brown, most running 12–16 inches. Water temperature at 61 degrees is prime for summer fishing.