Kootenai river, Montana

[Andy E.]

In May me and a couple buddies are heading to Libby Montana for 5 days, Yippee!
Going to fish the Kootenai River, taking the drift boat. Also Bull Lake and maybe a couple of others. Some of us aren’t fly fishermen. Any advice about what works well on that river, lake with spinners or what have you. Or anything else about the area would be greatly appreciated. Hope to hear from ya
This place is such a great place for info, the true test is how you use it

[BPAV8R]

You will have a great time over there. The water might be a little high in May from the spring runoff, but it will still be fishable.

On the Kootenai, the drift from the Dunn Creek Campground to the bridge in Libby is probably the most popular run. There is one short bit of whitewater just below the bridge 15 miles above Libby, but if you stay to either side, and especially in a drift boat, you won't have a problem. Mepp's number 2 and 3 do pretty well. I have had better luck with silver or brass Wobbler's.

Bull lake has a lot of small trout in it, but it is mostly fished for the kokanee. Wedding Rings with shoepeg corn or maggots usually do the trick. Troll about as slow as you can go, and then slow down some more.

You might want to try Lake Koocanusa too if you have a trolling motor for your drift boat. There are a ton of kokanee in there, and some huge rainbow. I think the limit on kokanee is 40 a day. Wedding rings rule for the kokes, and large trolling flies pulled right on the surface early in the morning, and late in the evening for the rainbow. In May the large flying black ants will be out, so black is the color of choice. The largest rainbow that I have caught there was 13 and a half pounds. The state record came from right below the dam. It was 34 pounds.

Dave Blackburn owns a fly shop there. I think the name is the Kootenai River Angler. As far as fly-fishing, you can call them, or stop in to see what flies the fish are hitting on.

Good luck, and have fun.

David

[bosbo6939]

I wouldnt waste much time in bull lake, alot of squaw's. If i could recommend something try hiking into some of the small mountain lakes. Last time i was there we fished burke lake, through troy and up the yaak river a little ways, It was a blast. We caught a fish every cast and those brook trout eat good. They are small but fun.

[Fish Mount]

Hey! great to see some ifishers coming to my neck of the woods. I would be more than happy to help you guys out. I would fish the upper part of the river, but its closed until June 1st (that where the big ones are). I wouldnt mess with bull lake to much its full of *********. The Thompson chain of lakes is good fishing for a variety of fish rainbows, kokanee, bass, and pike. McGregor is excellent Mackinaw fishing with good rainbows as well. I own a taxidermy studio in Libby, if you stop in I can give you the skinny on the fishing at the time. I might even be able to take you guys out on one of the lakes if Im not to busy. You guys might enjoy fishing for Pike or Macs. Let me know when you guys are coming.

Kevin