Best time for a large chinook is now

This is the best time of the year to catch a large chinook salmon on Lake Coeur d'Alene, said Jeff Smith of Fins and Feathers in Coeur d'Alene.

Smith said the largest he's heard of so far this year is 17 pounds. Most are 4 to 12 pounds.

"For the (Big One tourney Aug. 7-11) you're looking for the 4-year-old spawning fish 14 pounds and up," Smith said.

Setup options include flashers/hoochies, dodgers/flies and helmets/herring.

"Depth ranges will be 50 to 70 feet deep," Smith said.

Both the north end near Tubbs Hill and Arrow Point and the south end by East Point have featured good fish, Smith said.

Smallmouth bass fishing on Coeur d'Alene has been "up and down" all season, but Smith believes it's on the upswing again.

"Try any rocky point or a drop-off," he said. "Fish are in 15 to 30 feet of water. Fish off the bottom."

A quarter-ounce football head with a twin-tail grub may do the trick.

Smith said the smallmouth range from 8 to 20 inches.

"The fish may be small, but it's a good option for kids because you get a lot of action," Smith said.

While Lake Coeur d'Alene has been the focus for Smith, he hears that both the St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene rivers are both fishing well for cutthroat.

Try grasshopper-patterned flies, spoons or rooster tail spinners.

Fishing appears best on the Coeur d'Alene from Kingston upstream and on the St. Joe from Avery upstream, Smith said.

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Mike Beard of Northwest Outfitters said as we move into August terrestrial patterns will become "must haves" for area streams.

"Hoppers, ants and beetles all should have their moments for the cutthroat in the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe," Beard said. "Longer leaders, lighter tippets and a sneaky approach will also help in fooling the trout as the water is low and clear.

Early morning is the best time for an outing since the water temperatures will be the coolest and the fish will be less likely to get stressed out in mid-day sun, but evenings can produce some nice hatches of caddis and pale morning duns, Beard said.

"For the best river fishing one might want to venture a little farther away for a couple days," he said. "Heading north into British Columbia and the Elk River would be one option for more plentiful, colder water and more active cutthroat."

Lakes have been a little tougher with the fly rod, Beard said.

"Very early in the mornings and late in the evenings can be good as the fish cruise the shallower water, but during the mid-day heat they are heading deep so either a full sink line or spinning gear for the mid-day fishing will be necessary," he said.