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Trout, salmon fishing picks up

Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 12 years, 2 months AGO
| November 15, 2012 8:15 PM

Two types of fishing are producing results right now, trout on Lake Pend Oreille and salmon on Lake Coeur d'Alene, according to Tina Padgitt, of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

Go after the former by trolling lines with Apex lures or flies, she said.

Flies are working on Lake Coeur d'Alene so drop those lines between 30 to 60 feet deep and troll for salmon. Mica Bay has been a popular spot on Lake Coeur d'Alene to catch them, she said, and small mini-squids are working well, too.

Kokanne season, though, is finished until next spring she said, so put away those wedding rings.

But trolling should keep anglers busy at least until the ice comes, and ice fishing kicks into full gear.

"Just waiting on the ice," she said.

•••

Pat Way of Orvis Northwest Outfitters said trout fishing has been very good locally, but he suspects it will slow down some after recent consecutive days of freezing weather.

"As the weather and water cool down, nymphing is going to be the best technique to fool cutthroats," Way said. "Tandem nymph rigs with a large stonefly and a midge pattern below it should get some looks."

Steelheading should remain good, but fishermen are going to have to change tactics a bit.

"Sink tip flylines will increasingly become important to fly fishermen," he said.

As the water temperatures cool down, fishermen are going to have to get their fly closer to the bottom.

Way said Prom Dresses, Hobo Speys and dark-colored Bunny Leeches are the best cold water patterns.

"Slow your presentations down as much as you can and keep your fly in the water," Way said.

•••

Even as the shorelines turn white, there are still fish to be caught from Lake Coeur d'Alene, according to Dan Pierce.

"The chinook are biting pretty good," said Pierce, with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

Chinook can be found across the lake, he said, though he recommended trolling around Carlin Bay.

He suggested using mini squids and small flashers to catch the chinook.

"They're anywhere from 18 to 26 inches," Pierce added.

Pike fishing is "a little slower right now" on Lake Coeur d'Alene, he said.

The pike are still congregating around the weedlines, he said. He advised using plugs or Husky Jerks.

Rainbow trout are also biting on Fernan Lake, Pierce said.

He recommended fishing off the bottom with nightcrawlers or powerbait.

Kokanee still good for smoking

Steve Holweg and Jerry Brown of Cabela's recently went fishing in Wolf Lodge Bay of Lake Coeur d'Alene and found that the dozen kokanee they caught were still fine for smoking or canning.

The fish were caught between 50 and 75 feet.

"Wedding rings and dodgers tipped with maggots and corn," Holweg said of the setup. "We had to use downriggers. We did pick up a few trolling, but the majority of the fish came off downriggers."

Opinions vary on how good the kokanee are this time of year.

"They were dark, but they were still all good, solid fish," Holweg said, adding that other anglers jigging near the boat launch caught some that were more questionable.

Holweg said if it's a nice day and not too windy, it's still a good time to go fishing.

He recommended trying nightcrawlers, power bait or salmon eggs on Fernan or Hauser.

He said now is also a good time to check your ice fishing supplies and get what's needed, Holweg said.

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