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River guide · Idaho

Fly Fishing the Spokane River

The Spokane drains Lake Coeur d'Alene and carves a canyon through the heart of downtown Spokane, offering an improbable urban tailwater fishery for wild Redband rainbow trout averaging 14–16 inches. Cold aquifer contributions and steady dam-regulated flows keep the river fishable and the insects consistent through a long season, making it one of the Pacific Northwest's best roadside fly-fishing destinations.

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When to fish

Late May–mid-November

Best months: May–November

  • Best
  • Off-peak

Skwala Stonefly: April–May, pre-season. Caddis: June–August, peak at opening.

Today's conditions

Where to fish

Along the Spokane River

The Post Falls stretch in Idaho provides wade and bank access along the river corridor before it crosses into Washington. The majority of quality trout water (and the primary guided fishery for Redband trout) runs from the Idaho state line downstream through Spokane Valley and downtown Spokane, Washington.

The water

Tailwater

Key hatches

  • Skwala Stonefly
  • Caddis
  • Salmonfly
  • Blue-winged Olive / Baetis
  • Pale Morning Dun
Hatch calendar

Conditions

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6-day forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service ↗

Key hatches

  • Skwala Stonefly (April–May, pre-season)
  • Caddis (June–August, peak at opening)
  • Salmonfly (June)
  • Blue-winged Olive / Baetis (spring and Sept–Oct)
  • Pale Morning Dun (summer)
  • Trico (late July–August)

Fly shops near the Spokane River

Shops and guides that fish the Spokane River. See all 36 Idaho shops →

6 fly shops shown · 1 farther away in the listSpokane River at Coeur d'Alene

Species on this water

TroutBassBonefishCarpMuskyPanfishPikeRedfishSalmonSaltwaterSteelheadStriperTarpon

Nearby towns

Coeur d'AleneSpokane ValleyMead

Rivers nearby

Coeur d'Alene RiverClearwater RiverHenry's ForkColumbia River
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Spokane River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

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Gear up

Gear up on the Spokane River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Spokane River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

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