At first glance, the Kootenai River in Northwest Montana looks imposing and intimidating. It is definitely big water. Author Chris Hunt in Hatch Magazine proclaimed it to be a river that “feels like it’s in a hurry” – I would say the river is in a big hurry to cover about 50 miles from the Libby Dam to the Idaho border. During four days of floating, we fished nearly all the river that comprises those 50 miles (except for the section that encompasses the Falls), and which alternates between slow and broad meandering sections and long, shallow runs, as well as endless riffles and pools.
The Kootenai River is big water
That feeling of intimidation dissipates within a few hours of being on the water. If you have spent any time fishing a river, the key hot spots start to become apparent – changes in current speed or color hue, drop offs, structure and bubble lines all got the attention of our guides. But more often than not, we were targeting the rocky drop off extending about 3 to 5 feet from the banks - what Chris Hunt refers to as “the real money zone”. Our experience was no different.
Trout species found on the Kootenai River
The Kootenai offers anglers trout species that include browns, cutthroats, cutbows, rainbows and bulls, as well as mountain whitefish. While it is unlawful to target bull trout on the Kootenai, the occasional lucky angler may unwillingly tempt one to take a streamer fished through deep holes or channels. Approximately half of our catch were 8 to 10 inch rainbows, with many 14 to 18 inch cutthroats, cutbows and rainbows thrown in – fish of 20 inches or more are rare. Brown trout are also seldom caught, but I was lucky enough to have one in the net as part of a four trout species day (no, bull trout was not part of that).
Gearing up for the Kootenai River
Most days we had both 4wt and 5wt fly rods loaded on the drift boat and alternated between single dry patterns and tandems comprising two hoppers or hopper dropper set ups. Each guide had their signature set up to start, which could change based on guidance provided by the other guides at the morning's meeting point. Switching out fly options several times per float session was not unusual, but the go-to generally was based on some form of large chubby or water walker pattern.
The various drift beats on the Kootenai River
On our first day with guide Johnny C., we floated from Libby Dam to Osprey Landing, covering approximately 9 miles of water. For this section, we relied mostly on a tandem of chubbies/water walkers on 4x leader and tippet. For the next day’s float between Roosevelt Park (in Troy) and the confluence with the Yaak River – another 9-mile float, also with Johnny C. - we favored parachute dries trailing a sparkle caddis to begin with and then went back to the hoppers later in the day.
The drift on the third day with Tim Linehan took us from Troy beyond the confluence with the Yaak and through the ‘Caverns’ section to the Leonia Access Point, about 3 miles further. This stretch through the ‘Caverns’ was picturesque and productive trout water, possibly because it did not get as much pressure. On day four, guide Johnny P. treated us to the stretch from Osprey Landing to Bighorn Terrace, approximately 10 miles, floating by our River House accommodation and the town of Libby. His preference was for a single hopper pattern for most of the day. This proved to be the most challenging of the four float days due to a bump in water flow from 11,000 cfs to 13,000 cfs, combined with head-on wind gusts of 30 mph.
The beauty and isolation of this part of Montana has sold me in a big way. It is easy to get to, either flying into Spokane, WA, followed by a 3-hour drive, or into Kalispell, MT, followed by a 1 ½ hour drive. Tim and Joanne Linehan are outstanding hosts and their guides are first rate. I cannot wait to return!
Note: I am not being compensated for my mention of Linehan Outfitting. I am simply a satisfied client.
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