Updated October 15, 2026
    Access point

    Indian Creek Road Accesson Priest River

    Provides access to upper sections of the river, closer to Priest Lake, known for good cutthroat fishing.
    Priest River reportDirections48.3283°N, 116.9238°W
    Bite report · week of Oct 4

    Mild fall conditions with clear skies

    1. 01Mild fall conditions with clear skies, temperatures around 53°F.
    2. 02Kokanee spawning activity means egg patterns are essential for resident trout.
    3. 03Expect opportunistic feeding on fall hatches of PMDs, Mahogany Duns, and October Caddis.
    4. 04Focus on deeper pools, runs, and areas with structure and slower seams.
    5. 05Actively prospect with subsurface egg and Mysis Shrimp patterns, but be ready for dry-dropper opportunities during hatches.

    What to tie on at Indian Creek Road Access

    Picked from recent reports for this stretch.

    dry80%

    October Caddis (Dry)

    #6#8#10

    The October Caddis hatch is one of the largest caddis hatches of the year in many Western rivers during the fall, providing substantial dry fly opportunities.

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    dry80%

    Mahogany Dun

    #14#16#18

    Mahogany Duns (Paraleptophlebia) are actively hatching in late summer and fall, offering excellent dry fly fishing.

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    nymph80%

    Mysis Shrimp (Nymph)

    #14#16#18

    Priest River connects to Priest Lake, where Mysis shrimp are a consistent food source for Kokanee and lake-dwelling trout throughout the year, including fall, when fish may move into the river.

    streamer80%

    Balanced Leech (Black)

    #14#16

    Leeches are a substantial, year-round forage for predatory fish. This pattern effectively mimics sluggish leeches in stillwater and deeper sections of Priest Lake.

    nymph80%

    JuJu Chironomid

    #14#16#18#20

    Chironomids are a year-round staple in lake environments. This pattern is excellent for fishing under an indicator where Kokanee are holding in Priest Lake.

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    wet fly80%

    Doc Spratley

    #8#10#12#14

    A versatile stillwater wet fly, the Doc Spratley is effective year-round for Kokanee, mimicking various invertebrates in the deeper, cooler water of Priest Lake.

    streamer80%

    Woolly Bugger (Olive)

    #4#6#8

    A versatile streamer effective for imitating leeches and baitfish. Its profile and movement are excellent for enticing aggressive strikes from Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Lake Trout in the colder, higher spring flows.

    nymph80%

    Zebra Midge

    #18#20#22#24

    Midges are a consistent food source year-round, even in challenging conditions. Essential for cold-water species like Kokanee seeking refuge in deeper areas.

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    nymph80%

    Squirmy Wormy

    #10#12#14

    This attractor pattern is consistently effective, particularly after any precipitation or flow changes that might wash worms into the system, and can draw strikes from deeper-holding Kokanee.

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    Idaho season by season

    What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.

    Fly shops nearby

    Local flies, current advice and guided trips.

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