Local fishing improves with fall weather

Fishing on local rivers has continued to improve with cooler weather and less recreational activity, said Pat Way of Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene.

"Both the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers are fishing well throughout the day," Way said.

Primary insect hatches are hoppers, ants, blue-winged olives, spruce moths and October caddis.

"Fish tandem rigs with hoppers and a small nymph dropper most of the day," Way said. "Keep your eyes peeled during overcast portions of the day for blue-winged olives."

If there are no fish rising, tandem nymph rigs with zebra midges and small prince nymphs have been getting a lot of fish, Way said.

"As we move into fall, fish are looking to intake a lot of protein for the upcoming winter," he said. "Fishing should do nothing but improve for the next few weeks and with fewer anglers on the water. It is our favorite time of the year."

Bud Frasca of North West Classic Tackle in Hayden said the water temperature drop in the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers has made conditions better.

He said terrestrials, hoppers, ants, crickets and attractor patterns are the ticket.

"October caddis should be showing up soon," he said. "The rivers are cooler, especially in the evenings, so that's making a difference. The water has finally gotten below 70, so that makes the fish more perky."

On the lakes, pike are moving to shallower water because the water is getting cooler as fall approaches.

Frasca said with school under way, tourist season behind and hunting season heating up, it's a great time to get out and fish.

"It's my favorite time of year," he said. "The rivers are less crowded."