Fish deeper with warmer weather

Think deeper.

That's what Steve Holweg of Cabela's recommends to anglers on the lakes these days with the continued hot temperatures.

"Try to get out on the water early or fish later in the afternoon once (the recreation) clears off," Holweg said.

For crappie, perch and bluegill fishing, try bobbers and jigs or simply hooks with a worm.

Smallmouth bass are at 18 to 25 feet on some lakes.

Kokanee on Lake Coeur d'Alene were recently at 26 to 35 feet.

"We caught about 20 of them," Holweg said. "Try wedding rings tipped with maggots and corn."

Holweg said all of the area lakes and streams are producing good fishing conditions. On the Washington side, Holweg described Lake Roosevelt as doing "OK."

Holweg recommended that river fishermen get out during the week, if possible, because the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers are popular with weekend floaters in August.

"Fishing remains solid on local waters," said Pat Way, of Orvis Northwest Outfitters.

The Coeur d'Alene River is fishing better in the mornings and evenings, he said.

"Terrestrial offerings are working well," he said. "Hoppers, beetles and ant patterns are being the most productive."

During mid-day, Way suggested trying small tandem nymph rigs and watch the indicator closely.

"Some of the biggest fish we caught this week were very subtle strikes," he said.

The St. Joe River is a better option if a fisherman's intentions are to fish dry flies.

"Wade fish from Avery upstream, and try big bushy attractor patterns with small bead head droppers," Way said.

Turks tarantulas, Parachute Madam X, and hopper patterns are getting some looks on the Joe, he said.

A side note: Way said Orvis will be choosing a date shortly for its annual Coeur d'Alene River Cleanup, and will publish it for those who would like to help.

Fishermen should mark today on their calendars as the kickoff of the 28th annual Big One Derby on Lake Coeur d'Alene, presented by the Lake Coeur d'Alene Anglers Association.

The chinook derby started at 12 a.m. today and lasts through 3 p.m. Sunday.

The $25 entry fee is a worthwhile investment.

The event offers daily prizes of $500, $300 and $100 for the top three catches, said Dale Odenbaugh with Fins and Feathers.

The three biggest trophies for the event overall will earn prizes of $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000. Other prizes will also be distributed.

Folks can sign up at Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service, or Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

Odenbaugh suggested snagging sizable chinook by pulling herring and flies.

"There have been some nice ones caught in the upper teens," he said.

Mini squids are also recommended to pull behind a flasher, he said. Some fishermen also pull flies behind a dodger.

"Any of your jointed, big Rapalas work pretty good," Odenbaugh said.

The chinook have been found between 14- to 80-foot depths, he noted, usually spread out across the lake.

Northern pike and smallmouth bass also abound in the lake these days, Odenbaugh added.

He recommended using spinnerbait to nab the pike.

"That's been pulling in more fish than anything else lately," he said.

The smallmouth are chomping on 2-and-half-inch tubes, Odenbaugh said.

"Little tubes or twin tails work excellent for smallmouth," he said.