SPOKANE RIVER FISHING REPORT
July 9, 2025
Location: Spokane River
Flows: 1,240 CFS
Whew, it looks like we’re going to have another one of those hot and dry summers here in the Inland Empire. Temps over the next week are slated to be in the 90’s, and the river is already flowing at August levels. Thankfully for us, and more importantly the Spokane River’s inhabitants, water temperatures will remain fishable thanks to the aquifers that enter the river near Sullivan Road in the Spokane Valley.
That said, it’s still best to exercise caution and minimize your impact on the fishery. How so, you ask? I’m so glad you asked me!
- Pinch your barbs or use barbless hooks. It’s the law.
- Land the fish quickly and use an appropriately sized tippet. This isn’t the MO, so you’re probably not fishing size-22 Tricos and 6X. More likely than not it’s heavy nymphs and big dry flies, so use a 3X to 4X fluorocarbon tippet and fight the fish like you’re trying to save it from a hungry eagle soaring overhead.
- Use a net with a rubber basket. This will help protect the trout’s slime coating, which acts as a barrier to infection. After you have netted the fish, keep it in the water.
- Minimize physical contact by leaving the fish in the water while removing the hook. If you must handle the fish, be sure to wet your hands prior to touching said fish.
- Get on the water early, like at dawn, if you can. Water temperatures will be at their coldest, and the fish will be most active.
Now please allow me to step off my soapbox and get back to the fun part, techniques.
Dry-dropper rigs are the name of the game right now for anglers looking to maximize their chances of hooking up. Try using a 7.5-foot 3X leader instead of a standard 9-foot leader when fishing dry-dropper rigs. The shorter leader will help turn over your flies and make it easier to cast farther without tangles. Droppers should be three to four feet in length, again using 3X to 4X fluorocarbon tippet, depending on the size of your flies.
Must Have Flies: Double Stack Chubby/Unweighted Pat’s, Water Walker/Perdigon, Fat Albert/Jigged Prince
Eastern WA Trout Lakes
Not much new to say about the trout lakes in the area as most of the fish have retreated to deeper water as the temps continue to climb. Time to give these fish a break for the summer and let them fatten up for fall!
Bonnie Lake - https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes/bonnie-lake
Twin Lakes (Upper and Lower) - https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes/twin-lakes-upper
Boundary Reservoir - https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes/boundary-reservoir
Stillwater Patterns: Clearwater Pupa, Hover Dragon, Rickard’s Stillwater Nymph
Warm Water Speicis
This is the best weekend of the year for carp anglers lucky enough to be attending the Schmoots Clooper Invitational Carp Tournament at Banks Lake! If you haven’t heard of this event, you should definitely check it out. Bill Marts is the mastermind behind this tournament, and it’s worth the price of admission just to absorb all the carp fishing knowledge he provides.
For more information check out Bill’s website - https://www.billmartsflyfishing.com/events-tournaments
Bass fishing remains good on our local waters, but with the heat it’s best to get out on the water early and off by 10 a.m. Poppers and divers around the lily pads are where it’s at this time of year! Just be sure to use a heavy leader, like Rio’s Big Nasty in 16-pound test to help pull them out of the pads or weeds!
Carp Bugs: Scarpion, Gorgon Craw, Eakin’s H.V.R.T.
Bass Bugs: Dahlberg Diver, Darst Deer Hair Diver, Swimmin’ Jimmy