Fishing Report, Spokane River, August 28th 2025

A tailing fish—a tailing fish is one that is head down tail up looking for food to pluck. Many species of fish have this tailing behavior: redfish, bonefish, common carp, freshwater drum. Heck, I've even seen trout tailing in rivers at the bottom of pools.

Tailing fish are fun fish because you know they are actively feeding on something. I love casting a fly to a tailing fish, but on the Spokane River the opportunities to do so are limited. You could drive over to the Nine Mile Rec Area and find tailing common carp, big carp, in the muddy shallows. But sometimes they're not there, and now you just drove outside of the city and are standing on the bank of algae-covered water.

I'm either lazy or I just hate driving. So for me the best option to cast a line to tailing fish is, yup, Riverfront Park in downtown. They're not common carp, and they don't take a fly as well as a carp, but largescale suckers eventually will eat a fly.

In front of the Convention Center, I'll walk the concrete steps back and forth cupping my hands around my eyes to block out some of the glare so I can see through the water better. An overhead sun and no (or light) wind provides the best conditions to spot these fish. And for some reason, the suckers are often found feeding in the shallows in the morning to early afternoon, and by evening they drift and congregate back out in deeper water to loaf around. A security guard at the Convention Center even confirmed this with me—the guard watches the fish on the camera and has patterned their behavior as such.

Largescale suckers are also seemingly pretty blind, which allows you to get quite close to them and drop a fly a inch in front of their lips. But this isn't to say that they don't eventually get spooked. If you drop your line over their heads one too many times, or touch their bodies with your fly or leader, they figure something isn't right and will depart.

On this particular day, I spotted a group of a half-dozen suckers stirring up the water and forming muddy clouds just a few feet from the concrete steps. Big largescale suckers. I hunched over and slowly moved down the steps with fly ready in hand. Once near the waterline, I waited until one of the fish turned broadside to me and started to tail in spot. No fancy casting, just reach out with your arm and dunk the fly straight down. John Gierach would be proud.

The fly dropped to the bottom and rested atop the sand, just a few inches from the sucker's mouth. The fish continued churning up sand as it slowly, slowly, moved toward my fly. The damn fish was big and blind as ever, but I kept my fly there.

“Is that a trout?” a voice called from behind me.

Without taking my eyes off the water, I said, “It’s a largescale sucker.”

“A what?”

Whatever. No time for a lecture on native Spokane species. Not now. I had a fish to catch.

The largescale bumped forward and my orange-beaded fly disappeared. One-one-thousand, two-one-thousand. Set!

I shot my arm up and back and the line tightened signaling the hook was in. And, at this point, I fully expected the sucker to flub about in the water until it turned over so I could drag it in like a wet sock. Not at all what happened.

The fish started slowly swimming away from the shallows but once it felt the resistance of the line it took off. It didn't bolt like a redband or a steelhead, rather is did its own dashing move as a, as a largescale sucker does I guess.

The fly line arched into the water as the fish turned in a different direction, the rod bent deeply over, and I reached my other hand to tighten the drag knob on the reel. Wet sock my ass! And I'm the one who makes that comment!

After a few runs the sucker tired and drifted in. I reached down, cradled the fish, and raised the aquatic vacuum cleaner up out of the water for the onlooker to see what it was.

I unhooked the fly from the fish's lip and lowered back into the river. It took off, leaving me with slim-covered palms and a need to catch another one.

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The Spokane River is still very low right now, and most of the trout are hunkering close to one another in the rapids and runs. Be mindful of that. If you do catch a trout or a couple of them from one spot, consider moving further up or downstream to a different spot to give the other trout a break. That's easier said than done, and at times, when I'm catching trout, it's tough to call it good and either check out a new spot, test out some other fishing tactics, or target a different species.

If you're still trying to get your feet underneath you and learn how to fish the Spokane River, check out this guide I typed up: A Guide to Fishing the Spokane River. It's a work in-progress but there's enough information to help point you in the right direction and maybe lead to catch your first fish on the river (and maybe while wearing a slick Fly Fish Spokane Sun Hoodie).

If you're also looking for a different adventure, and want to explore new water, there's trout (and some large trout) to be caught along the Centennial Trail between Division Street and Spokane Falls Boulevard. I snorkeled this stretch of river the other day and while I didn't find numbers of trout, the few that I found were of decent size and not far off the bank.

(You can also check out this short video I made of my snorkeling trip, which includes underwater footage of the trout.)

The river in this section is deep and acts more like a lake (stillwater) than a river (due to the Upper Falls Dam). So longer leaders and heavier streamers will get you down to where the trout are. Or, better yet, use a full sinking line (like an intermediate to Type III) to quickly get to depth. If you are a novice with stillwater fly fishing but want to learn and expand your fly fishing skill set, check out Devin Olson's latest book, Stillwater Fly Fishing: Competition-Inspired Strategies for Everyday Anglers. It's a in-depth book and many of its insights and tactics can be applied to this section of the Spokane River.

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Status on the Upper Spokane

If you haven't seen the news or have been made aware of the situation on social media, sections of the upper Spokane River have dried up completely...as in, there's no water from bank to bank in certain spots of the river. Not good, at all.

The situation with the upper Spokane River is complex, and trying to understand it requires having a little bit of knowledge of hydrology (hydrology is the scientific study of the Earth's water, including its properties, distribution, and movement throughout the hydrologic cycle, above and below the ground).

The hydrology of the upper Spokane River is a little confusing, but simply put: from the mouth of the Spokane River (where it exits Lake Coeur d'Alene) through Spokane Valley is where the river water predominately seeps down into the ground and into the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.

In other words, along most of the upper Spokane River, the river loses water to the aquifer. In contrast, along different sections of the river, such as from the Spokane Falls to the Seven-Mile Road Bridge, the relationship between the river and aquifer reverses—the aquifer feeds the river with cold, clean water. There's also the stretch of river around Sullivan Bridge, and if you ever fish that area you can actually see and feel the cold, clear aquifer water seeping out of the rocks and gravel along the riverbank. It's pretty cool to watch the water coming out of the sides of the riverbank, you should definitely check it out.

Now, during summer months, when temperatures heat up and we effectively have little rainfall, there is a limited amount of water being added to the Spokane River watershed. At the same time, there is an increase in water demand during summer. So, as water is pumped up and out of the aquifer that drops the level of the aquifer while it is still "drinking" from the river.

We can go much deeper into the dynamics of the Spokane River system, but this is a fishing report, not a rigorous study of the situation. However, there is a lot of finger-pointing and blaming going on (and emotionally I'm right there with everyone in doing that), but what helps me in this moment is humbling myself by zooming out and trying to think about all of the interconnected social-ecological factors that play a role in the upper Spokane River's water flow:

• Evaporation

• Increasing Summertime Temperatures and Low Snowpack Levels (Climate Change)

• Outdoor Water Overuse

• Population Growth

• Golf Courses and City Parks

• Post Falls Dam (Minimum Flow Rates per Licensing Agreements)

  
  

  (and thank you Spokane Riverkeeper for helping remind me of all these factors)

That's just scratching the surface, and each of the above factors is it's own sub-system with sub-sub-systems layered beneath that. Confusing yes, but humbling and fascinating when you take a moment to step back, look around, listen, and be receptive to the various perspectives coming in. We all just have a sliver of what we see, know, and feel.

Quick side note: If you are also interested in river systems, like the Spokane, and want to learn about them more holistically, then I'd recommend reading two books. The first is called Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows; it's the entry-point for beginning to see the complexity, interconnectedness, and dynamics of any system. Another book is Environmental Hydrology 3rd Edition (by Ward, Trimble, Burckhard, & Lyon, 2015); it's a dense textbook that's pretty dry (pun intended) but it provides a deep look into all the characteristics and behaviors of watersheds—important topics that provide the "big picture" to us anglers which helps us with our own fishing strategies and advocacy capabilities.

Help Protect the Spokane River

If you are just as concerned with the situation on the upper Spokane River, then you can take action to help protect it. Click here to sign petitions that the Spokane Riverkeeper has drafted which urges our local leaders to act now to implement plans and measures to protect our water resources through our region's growth and from the effects of long droughts and climate change.

You can also talk to your elected officials, whether that's emailing city council (citycouncil2@spokanecity.org) council, county commissioners, or the mayor (mayor@spokanecity.org). Let them know that this issue is important to you and that you care about the health of the river. Be sure to also talk with family and friends about the health of the river and how the aquifer, the river, and our communities are connected. Getting awareness out about this issue helps in the long-terms to shift our we value important local ecosystems like the Spokane River.

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A few days ago, I walked the upper Spokane River without a fly rod in hand. Water trickled between slack pools before completely disappearing underground. Underfoot, algae cracked and flaked from the rocks as I crossed the dry bed. Sticks, logs, soda and beer cans, shards of metal, and old shoes lay scattered or wedged in crevices.

Above me, along the Centennial Trail, bicyclists rolled by. Their voices carried across the river:

"That's so sad! I've never seen it like this."

"The river is really dry—is that normal?"

"Looks like a good chance to go down there and collect things people dropped in the river."

In one stretch, the riverbed opened into a wide crater of bleached-white stone. Faded lines circled its edges, marking the retreat of the water. At the bottom lay carcasses of crayfish, insects, and stranded smallmouth bass. They had gone as low as they could. And then, the water vanished.

Smallmouth bass were introduced into the Spokane River decades ago. As warmwater predators, they prey on redband trout. Many might be glad to see them dead.

But as I stood in the crater, staring at the leathery bodies of the bass and crayfish, three thoughts pressed in on me:

The river should have water in it.

The river should have water and fish in it.

The river should have cold, clean water year-round, along its entirety—enough to nurture species like redband trout, largescale suckers, and other species whose existence depends on rivers like this.

This isn’t a call to restore some “historic normal” or to rewind time. It’s simply a vision—a Spokane River alive and flowing, a river healthy enough to sustain us and the fish who need it most.

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Upcoming Community Events

Spokane Riverkeeper: Water Ave to Downriver Park On-Water Cleanup Day, September 3rd, 10:00am to 3:30pm

Join Spokane Riverkeeper in a paddling cleanup effort from Water Ave to Downriver Park. Bring your own boat, or save a seat in our raft! Limited space, please reserve in registration below.

They will be meeting at the boat ramp at Water Ave at 10am. They will unload boats, gear and organize a self shuttle.

Please be on time! The aim is to get on the water by 10:30am beginning with a safety briefing and clean up plan before heading out. Please dress for the weather and getting wet, bring water, and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Spokane Riverkeeper will provide trash bags, gloves, and trash grabbers. PFDs are required and must be worn at all times on the River to participate in this event.

BYO-Boat? Please be proficient paddling in moving water for this event and always be aware of swift River currents and hazards.

Questions? Reach out to event coordinator, Liv Kindl at liv@spokaneriverkeeper.org

More info here.

Spokane Riverkeeper: Community Cleanup at Iron Bridge, September 13th, 10:00am to 12:00pm

Join the Spokane Riverkeeper in connecting with the community and building stewardship along the river!

River cleanups helps keep the river healthy by removing trash that can harm wildlife, pollute the water, and damage habitats. Clean rivers support better water quality, safer recreation, and a healthier ecosystem for both people and animals.

Meeting Location: We will be meeting at the trailhead on N Iron Ct. at 10:00 AM

What to expect:

• Riverkeeper will provide cleanup supplies (bags, gloves, grabbers)

• Sturdy, closed-toe shoes recommended—you may walk over rocky and uneven terrain

• Bring any water, snacks or sunscreen you’ll need to keep you going

• Lunch and beverages will be provided courtesy of Ironside Apartments.

• All ages welcome, but children must be supervised

More info here.

Hang Out and Fish, Riverfront Park, August 30th, 9:00am to 11:00am

Come hang out and fish in Riverfront Park this Saturday with me. Pig Out In the Park is also happening this weekend but doesn't get going until 11:00am, so why not get a little fishing in before diving into some great food? I'll be there to answer questions about fishing the Spokane River and we can fish around the part together. It's also a chance to meet other local anglers, swap advice, and learn new fishing tactics.

All skill levels welcome, and all fishing techniques welcome (just no treble hooks or bait is allowed on the Spokane River, and pinch your barbs down).

We'll be meeting at the Clocktower at 9:00am.

Hang Out and Fish, Riverfront Park, September 11th, 5:30pm Until It Gets Too Dark

  Here's another chance to hang out and fish in Riverfront Park. I'll be there to answer questions about fishing the Spokane River and we can fish around the part together. It's also a chance to meet other local anglers, swap advice, and learn new fishing tactics.

  All skill levels welcome, and all fishing techniques welcome (just no treble hooks or bait is allowed on the Spokane River, and pinch your barbs down).

  We'll be meeting at the Clocktower at 5:30pm.

The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing, April 28th 2026, Auntie's Bookstore

  I recently wrote an entire guide book about urban fly fishing. It was a long journey that took a couple years to research and write, and it had me traveling to numerous other cities across the country. It's a general guide that will help you to learn how to fish any city here in North America. Even if you don't fly fish the book is packed with tips, insights, and resources to help you discover the fishing opportunities within every city.

  The book will be hitting the shelves April 28th, 2026, and if you preorder from Auntie's Bookstore, you'll receive a copy that I'll sign, in the bookstore, the day of the release. Support local bookstores and support local waters!

  On the cover of my book is a photo I took of urban fly fishing guide Brandon Dale. He's the first fly fishing guide for NYC's Central Park. If you are ever visiting New York City, you'd be foolish not to take a guided trip with him around the park fishing for carp...it's an experience like no other in NYC!