Fishing Report for the Kootenays - July 9th

West Kootenays (Arrow Lakes Region) 
The Arrow Lakes are extremely high right now, which is good news if you are launching a boat and don't like to back down a long ways, but bad news if you're looking at fly fishing around the numerous creek mouths.  The stained, dirty water doesn't make for the best casting and the fact that there is a lot of floating wood debris can make trolling a chore.  Add that to warming summer water temperatures and it makes for some pretty brutal fishing conditions.  If you're looking at fishing the Nakusp/Revelstoke region, aim for smaller lakes where the fly fishing is top-notch right now, especially in the mornings and evenings.  Kootenay Lake is also very high, but should be on its way down.  

Castlegar/Trail
The Columbia River is running high and fast, but is not too murky for the trout to bite.  Anglers casting from shore can expect to catch both rainbow trout and walleye in the 1 to 5 pound range.  Spinners and spoons are a good bet for both.  

Salmo/Creston
The Salmo River is running high, but is also clear allowing for casting opportunities for rainbow and bull trout.  Rosebud Lake has been good for fly fishing for trout to 4 pounds.  Duck Lake is very high and there has been a lot of flooding in the Creston valley, however bass fishing should be decent despite the conditions.

East Kootenays
The rivers are still running high and in various stages of turbidity.  The upper reaches of the Kootenay and Columbia are very stained while some other rivers such as the Moyie are less so.  Lakes such as Premier and Whiteswan north of Cranbrook are good for rainbow trout to 5 pounds, and offer good fly-fishing at this time.  Look for hatches in the mornings and evenings on all area lakes.