Lakes, rivers yielding fish

Kokanee salmon are still biting in Lake Coeur d'Alene.

They're chomping lines dropped anywhere in the lake, in fact, according to Jordan Smith with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

"They're honestly all over the lake right now," Smith said, adding that Harlow Point and Wolf Lodge Bay are particularly good spots.

He suggested nabbing kokanee with a Hildebrandt or Dodger, as well as rubber snubbers and a wedding ring.

"The red wedding rings have been working well," Smith said.

Smallmouth bass are also active on Lake Coeur d'Alene and Hayden Lake, he added.

Twin-tailed jigs are best to nab the bass, he said. They tend to congregate around 6- to 18-foot depths, he added.

Pike are also doing well in both lakes, Smith said. Fishermen are snagging them with spinnerbaits and spoons.

Catfish are still biting in Fernan Lake, Smith said, especially on dough bait and a treble hook.

Smallmouth and largemouth bass are chomping lines at Fernan, too, he said. For the largemouth, he suggested using 5-inch Senko worms.

Smith reminded that the Lake Coeur d'Alene Anglers Association is holding a salmon tournament, the annual Big One Derby, from Aug. 4-7. The entry fee is $25, and first place is $5,000.

Smith recommended using helmetted herring and hoochies to snag the biggest salmon.

"Most guys are going to be on the south end of the lake, toward East Point," he added.

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Catching chinook salmon is all the rage right now, as anglers are gearing up for the annual Big One Derby set for this weekend.

The name means exactly what it says, landing the most monster prize.

So anglers are busy buying up mini squid baits with an 8-inch flasher, or a herring helmet with the orange label. Others are buying Brad's Super Baits and filling them with oiled tuna fish, said Tina Padgitt of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

Troll Lake Coeur d'Alene early in the morning, with rigged lines dragging around 1.6 miles per hour.

Kokanee are popular right now too. Lake Coeur d'Alene and Priest Lake are most active, with the fish chasing cowbells and wedding rings. Troll a little slower, around 1.1 miles per hour.

Both species should be active until winter.

Evenings are good for catching catfish. Fernan, Hauser and Cocolalla are all good lakes to land them around sunset. Use catfish bait, like stink bait on a treble hook. Let the line sink to the bottom and keep it there.

"Just let it sit until they come around and pick it up," Padgitt said.

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Fly-casters have more than one option these days, according to Pat Way of Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene.

"We have all sorts of good news," Way said. "A lot of our local (rivers) are starting to come into shape."

The Coeur d'Alene is still a productive spot, especially high up the river. The farther an angler is willing to hike, the bigger the fish will be.

Look for deep pockets of water on the Coeur d'Alene, Way advised, and "typically places away from the road."

Farther south, the St. Joe is dropping daily, though the water is still twice as high as normal. Any soft spots might yield a cagey cutthroat - cast into back eddies or pocket water.

"The St. Joe is getting more wadeable every day," Way said.

Be aware, though, there's no soft water above Avery, and wading in the fast current could be dangerous.

On both local streams, trout are slurping pale morning duns and caddis. The PMDs are hatching in evening, Way said, usually around 5:30 or 6. An angler could hit the water right after work and still bring home a fish or two.

Streamers and bunny leeches might also be productive, Way said. Small hoppers are starting to fly, too, but they're not quite at their peak.

For those who don't mind the drive, the Clark Fork is heating up. Throw some big dry flies in the morning, then switch over to rubber-leg nymphs.

"On the Clark Fork, the more rubber-legs the better," Way said.

Hot weather this week might slow the action down, he warned. But for now, the fishing is solid on the three big rivers.

"There's a lot of options now," Way said.