NF of Coeur d Alene, St Joe & Clark Fork

Clark Fork before the confluence with the St Regis at 24,000 CFS

We had some changes last week on the NF of the CDA and the St. Joe when our first warm day since September rolled in on the 6th.  This sent water levels up on both rivers.. The North Fork peaked at 10,000 CFS and the ST. Joe at over 13,000 CFS.  Add cold water temps and the fishing has been a little slow.  BUT, the water levels are trending down.  The North Fork is almost at its historic average flow.  The St. Joe is at 9,300 and still high.  The pass from St. Regis and Moon Pass from Wallace are still closed.   I was in Montana this morning and there is still snow in the higher elevations, but I believe we are past our peak runoff for the St. Joe and NF CDA.

For the next week we will be under the influence of another low pressure system.  Expect showers daily, overcast and temps in the 40's-high 50's.  If the water levels remain steady or trend down we could be in for some nice hatches.  Most should be occurring from 1:00- 6:00.

I will also start reporting on the Clark Fork and St. Regis in June.  Currently the Clark Fork is blown out and the St. Regis is still closed for the season.  It will reopen the 3 Saturday in May.

Hatches 

Salmon Flies
Skawalla
March Brown
Gray Drakes 
BWO

Suggested Flies

Bugmeister
Norm Woods Special
Henry Fork Golden
Trina's Carnage Skwalla
Kings CDC Golden (My Favorite)
Sofa Pillow

Godzilla
King Kong
Big Sky Salmon

Large Stimmies
PMX - Swisher Original & Peacock
Special Klink Duo - This fly is barbless & has an add. hook eye on the bend of the hook for a dropper
Kicking Klink
Para Adams
Galloup Tilt Wing
Adams CDC Emerger
BWO Veiled Emerger
Baetis Cripple
Hilda's Spring Creek Mahogany
Christiaen's Gray Drake

If you are nymphing, I'd tie on some big stones like Kaufman, Pat's Double B's or a War Bird.  With the banks eroding try some San Juan worms.

If your going to throw some streamers go big with some Circus Peanuts, Galloup Sex Dungeons, Cheech Leaches or Lil' Kims.

These hatches and flies should cover both the NF of the CDA and St. Joe