The Coeur d'Alene River is fishing well right now, said Bryan Gregg of Orvis Northwest Outfitters.

The water is still a little high, but it's cold. There are some big fish in the system that haven't moved down into the lake yet, he said.

"I would fish streamers right now, yellow-and-black and olive-and-white. During mid-day when it's hottest, Turk's Tarantulas. Red's a good color for those," Gregg said.

It's also a good time for Chernobyl ants, orange or black-and-orange, he said.

"Anything with foam and a nymph dropper," Gregg said.

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It's only going to get better from here.

Meantime, water is still running fast and heavy on the Coeur d'Alene River. That doesn't mean there isn't good fishing. There is, you just have to be cautious with the currents, said Brad Zierer of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

"I almost went down," he said of his recent trip to the upper end of the North Fork about 35 miles from Coeur d'Alene. "I haven't done that for years."

Exercise caution if you want to cross the waist high water. But 10-12 inch trout are chasing 10-to-12 black stimulators, adams flies or tan elk hair patterns. Mayflies are hatching up there too, he said.

For bass fishing, Hauser Lake has slowed down since the bass have spawned. Bass and pike are still active on Hayden Lake chasing senko worms, while pike and large mouth are also chasing senkos and spinner baits at the Chain Lakes.

Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers

Both the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers are fishing well right now, said Mark Roush of ROW Adventures in Coeur d'Alene.

"Fish are eating on the surface and are also striking at nymphs and streamers," he said. "Many fishermen are fishing large stone and stimulator patterns with good success. Fish are also eating heavily on small mayflies."

The "purple haze" parachute adams pattern always works well this time of year, Roush said. Remember to pack a few princes and green drakes.

"Some of the larger fish have been eating sub-surface on olive wooly buggers and sculpin patterns," said Nick Slomski, head guide for ROW Adventures.

Look for the fishing to get better and better if the weather stays nice.

Area lakes

The nice weather has brought out fishermen in full force, Roush said.

"Many anglers are targeting small and largemouth bass on Hayden, Fernan and the Chain Lakes.

"Senko worms, rapalas in various sizes and light-colored spinner baits are all popular choices for bass," Roush said. "Pike will also eat spinners, along with Husky Jerks in a variety of patterns."

Bluegill, pumpkinseed and perch can all easily be caught with nightcrawlers or jigs accented with maggots.