Fishing the Kootenai River

The Kootenai River is well known to locals for its blue ribbon status. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, it’s given out to recognize the condition and cleanliness of the river’s waters and abundance of healthy natural trout populations. The Kootenai begins its 485-mile journey deep in the Kootenai Range of the Canadian Rockies, weaving south around Libby, Montana, switching back north around Bonners Ferry before joining up with the mighty Columbia in Castlegar, British Columbia.

The river rushes through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Northwest and offers countless recreational points including prime fly fishing waters. Since the Montana state rainbow record was caught outside of Libby in 1997 (38.6 inches and 33 lbs, 1 oz!) anglers have been drawn to the area in search of more monster rainbows, browns and west slope cutthroat. What not a lot of people are aware of is a unique species known only to populate a few of the upper tributaries of the Columbia River including the Kootenai – inland redband trout.

Classified as a subspecies of the more common rainbow trout, inland redbands have several unique distinctions that separate them from their more common relatives. Larger spots, yellow and orange tints to the body, light color tips to the fins, and sometimes a trace of a cutthroat mark will help you know if you’ve landed one. According to the Montana Department of Fish and Wildlife, inland redband juveniles and adults prefer deeper and slower moving water in the summertime with water temperatures under 70 degrees. During colder fall and winter months, the species seek out even slower and deeper pools. Most fish fall in the 6-inch to 18-inch range. They are certainly not the easiest fish to locate and reel in, but for anyone who has hooked into one on a lightweight rod will certainly attest to their strength as they are well known to fight hard once hooked.

While not technically on the endangered species list, recent studies show that numbers are on the decline. Cross breeding with other non-native species has thinned the population, and with the abundance of larger fish, competition has also contributed to a decline in the population. Several dams built over the last century have also altered the river’s flow creating a loss of habitat for native species.

While most anglers in the area utilize catch and release practices, it is especially important that species such as the inland redband are all released back into the wild. As with all trout, use a net to keep the fish in the water while removing the hook, and handle the trout as little as possible. Release the fish in calmer waters so it can properly recoup from its fight. The Kootenai River is one to be enjoyed by hikers, bikers and by raft and tube. It’s a unique river with unique species that live within. Landing a fish that’s rare is certainly a memorable experience and provides photos for the scrapbook, but it’s also important to do everything we can to ensure these fish are around for following generations to enjoy. Next time your bug hits the waters of the Kootenai and a fish takes it down, let’s hope it’s an inland redband; one more species to add to your lifelong pursuit.

#local #lifecommunity #sports