Local fishing coming around

Local fishing continues to improve as the wet spring and runoff in the mountains runs its course, said Steve Holweg of Cabela's.

"Fishing is getting better," Holweg said.

With kokanee salmon fishing on area lakes, Holweg suggests using a Ford Fender flasher or wedding rings tipped with maggots.

"With trout, use the same setup except tip the wedding ring with a nightcrawler," Holweg said.

When fishing for salmon on Lake Coeur d'Alene, Holweg recommends trolling the upper levels - 35 feet and above.

"Try either plugs or run some herring and helmets," he said.

Bruce McDonald of the Cabela's fly shop said he has heard that stream fishing is improving thanks to river levels that are dropping and the water clearing up.

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Kokanee fishing on Lake Coeur d'Alene is picking up, said Jeff Smith with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

With a little persistence, Smith said, most fishermen are easily reeling in the 15-fish limit.

"They're not big fish, they're only 8 to 10 inches probably," Smith estimated. "But the numbers are good, and they're not too deep."

He suggested casting about 15 to 30 feet deep, either at the south end of the lake off Harlow Point, or near Beauty and Bennett bays on the north end.

The best rigging is a Hildebrandt spinner with a wedding ring spinner run behind that, he said, and baited with white corn and maggots.

He even dyes the corn red or pink, he added.

"It's a conglomeration of stuff, but that's what works," Smith said.

Hayden Lake is still a hot spot for small and largemouth bass, he added.

Most fishermen are snagging them by throwing a tube jig or a Senko worm along the docks, he said.

If folks aren't so agile with their casting, Smith added, they can take a crank bait and just work the shoreline.

"You'll catch some, too," he said.

The Lake Coeur d'Alene Anglers Association had a members derby this past weekend, Smith added, with a few notable catches.

First place went to Paige Woods for her 13.22 pound salmon, and second to Brett Hojem for an 11.74 trophy.

"Overall the fishing was slow for them," Smith said, adding that most salmon are being caught at 30 feet depths on the south end of the lake. "This is a really tough time for (salmon)."

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The St. Joe is still flowing fast, so a fly-caster's best bet is the Coeur d'Alene River.

Cutthroats are hitting green drakes and blue-winged olives, according to Bryan Gregg of Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene.

Big attractor patterns are also working well, including Turk's Tarantulas and Chernobyl Ants.

"We're still having good success streamer fishing, too," Gregg said.

Search for typical trout territory, he added.

"You're looking for water that is gonna hold fish. Good holding water, good pocket water."

The fishing has generally been better in the afternoon, Gregg said. Be on the water by 11 a.m. or noon, and you'll do fine.

Anglers can float the lower section of the Coeur d'Alene, but beware of a huge logjam at milepost 16.

Southeast of town, the Joe is cruising along at 12,000 cfs, Gregg reported Tuesday. Float-fishermen won't test the current until it's 7,000 or less.

On the Chain Lakes, Hayden Lake and Lake Coeur d'Alene, the warm-water fishing hasn't slowed down this week.

"We're still picking up crappie and bass on our fly rods," Gregg said.

Cast a ruby-eyed leech under an indicator, he advised, and probe around or underneath docks. Sunken trees and underwater rock ledges are productive spots, too.