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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.

  • 7 shops nearby
  • tailwater
  • Late May–mid-November (season opens Saturday before Memorial Day
  • Idaho
  • 6 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Spokane River is Late May–mid-November (season opens Saturday before Memorial Day. Key hatches include Skwala Stonefly, Caddis, Salmonfly, Blue. 7 fly shops near the Spokane River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Spokane River

Shops and guides that fish the Spokane River. See all 37 Idaho shops →

Orvis Northwest OutfittersCastaway Fly Fishing ShopSilver Bow Fly ShopCastaway fly shopHouse of Fly - Great Falls Fly Shop
5 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassBonefishCarpMuskyPanfishPikeRedfishSalmonSaltwaterSteelheadStriperTarponTrout

Nearby towns

Coeur d'AleneSpokane ValleyMead

Rivers nearby

Coeur d'Alene RiverClearwater RiverHenry's ForkColumbia River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Spokane River

River typetailwater
Best seasonLate May–mid-November (season opens Saturday before Memorial Day; closed mid-March–late May for spawn)
AccessThe 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.
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)
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Spokane River

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

Browse all 880+ patterns at The Fly Bench
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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Updated June 2026