Stream fishing gradually coming around

Stream fishing is improving as snowpack in the mountains finishes running its course.

Steve Holweg of Cabela's said a co-worker and others recently fished Teepee Creek up on the north fork of the Coeur d'Alene River.

"The water was still up, but it was fishable," Holweg said. "All caught fish."

If you're fly fishing, try drifting Parachutes, Nymphs or Bead Head Scuds.

Holweg said he hears that kokanee salmon fishing on Lake Coeur d'Alene is starting to pick up.

One complaint he's heard with lake fishing is the shoreline conditions at some places, including Hauser.

"They can't fish the shore because the water is so high," Holweg said.

Holweg cautions anglers to avoid Higgens Point and Lakeshore Drive on Coeur d'Alene this weekend due to the Ironman triathlon.

"There's always a few of us that forget," Holweg said.

Holweg said there's been a fish dieoff at Lake Roosevelt, Banks Lake and Rufus Woods Lake in eastern Washington due to nitrogen buildup in the water because of the wet spring and extra air coming off dams.

"The weather has messed up spawning times for fish and the bite," said Johnny Booey, fishing lead at Cabela's.

He said the water has also been colder than normal, further affecting fishing in the region.

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Don't change much if you've been fishing for largemouth bass lately.

Water temperatures are still a little too cool for spawning season, but fish close to the banks on Twin and Hauser lakes, said Blake Becker of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

Tube jigs are the best bet - green-pumpkin colored - so fish in a foot or less of water.

If you're going after crappies, use crappie jigs. Tennessee shad is the best color for those patterns.

Pike are active, too, chasing lines baited with Rapalas. Fling X-Raps or husky jerks, shaded Tennessee shad or fire tiger-colored. Pike might also swipe at rooster tails or Mepps spinners.

Once water temps hit the low 60s, spawning season should kick in for largemouth bass, eventually followed by smallmouth bass. Right now, temps range in the mid-50s.

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Fly-fishing on the Coeur d'Alene River has greatly improved in recent weeks, according to the experts at Orvis Northwest Outfitters.

"It's happening," said guide Pat Way. "For walking and wading places, it's certainly doable."

Cutthroats and scattered rainbows are hitting green drakes, blue-winged olives (especially on cloudy days) and carpenter ant patterns. After a long winter, the fish are aggressive and hungry.

Big bushy dry flies might also draw strikes from roving cuts.

"They've also been eating streamers real well," Way added.

The upper river above Shoshone Creek is a good place to hunt for cuts. Cast your fly into deep, soft pockets of water.

Conditions might be warm and sunny, but the river is still high and moving fast. Waders should be extra careful, Way advised, and only experienced oarsmen should float the Coeur d'Alene these days.

An especially tricky spot is at mile marker 16.5, where debris has stacked up and blocked the entire river.

"It's pretty scary," Way said. "We highly suggest scouting, and talking to guys that float. Right now, a lack of water is not the issue."

For up-to-date river information, call Orvis at 667-2707 and chat with Pat or Mike. Water flows on the Coeur d'Alene might be changing soon as temperatures finally warm up.

Elsewhere in the Panhandle, the St. Joe River is still too high for good fishing. It's still a nice scenic drive, though.

On Hayden Lake, the smallmouth bass are snapping at flies, Way said. The trout lakes in eastern Washington - Coffeepot, Amber - are going well, too.

Cast intermediate line with woolly buggers, leach patterns or chronomids under an indicator.