One of the newspapers I write for, the Columbia Basin Herald, is a Hagadone newspaper, and they provide me with a couple of night lodging at the Coeur d' Alene Resort every year. I have always enjoyed staying here, just hanging out, but had never gone in the summer.

I recently visited the Coeur d'Alene area and this time I took a fly rod along and fished the Coeur d' Alene River. This is a beautiful stream, about the size of the Wenatchee, and is loaded with cutthroat. I drove about 25 miles up the road that follows the river and spotted a nice stretch that looked like it would hold fish. It did.

I waded down to an area where the water flowed against a rocky bank and tossed my fly into the foamy current. My Parachute Adams disappeared in a splash and the first fish I hooked gave me quite a tussle. I laid it against my rod and measured the length when I got home. It was 16 inches!

I caught several other cutthroat in this hole and although none were as large they ranged from 10 to 14 inches and were gorgeous.

If you ever get a chance to visit this area, take a fly rod along and give the Coeur d' Alene River a shot. You will be impressed.