Fishing Report, Spokane River May 30th 2025

The Spokane River fishing season began last weekend, and I've heard many success stories from anglers along the river catching trout, mountain whitefish, and northern pikeminnow. To celebrate the season's start, I organized a "hang out and fish" event at Riverfront Park in downtown. We had a great turnout with about a dozen participants, ranging from seasoned anglers to young kids trying fly fishing for the first time. We covered casting techniques, gear selection, choosing effective flies for the Spokane, and more. If you missed this event, don't worry—I plan to host several more throughout the summer and at different locations along the river.

The fishing at Riverfront Park is slow right now. Avista has the Upper Falls spillway gates open and channeling the flow of the river to the north which means the southern channel, around the Clocktower, is acting more like a lake than a river. That said, I've seen several large redband trout (16+ inches) cruising the drop-offs around in the southern channel, especially in front of the Convention Center concrete steps and downstream of the Howard Street pedestrian bridge. Right now, it's technical sight fishing with long, light leaders (12+ feet down to 4 to 6X).

While I was walking around the park the other evening I spotted a hefty redband meandering along a drop-off. With a quick cast I placed an unweighted wet fly several feet in front of the trout and as the redband drew closer I slowly twitched the fly. That was enough to get its attention, and it started happily swimming towards the fly. But out of the depths a tiny trout zipped up and nabbed the fly startling both me and the large redband. I wasn't prepared for the surprise attack so I missed the hook set and, in the commotion, the larger redband bolted off so I ended up with an empty net. Not that I can blame the little trout for taking advantage of a quick meal, but damn was I hoping to hook into that much larger redband!

This summer, I'll be hosting guided trips in Riverfront Park, offering a fantastic experience for all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner or want to introduce a family member or friend to fly fishing, this guided trip is perfect for learning the basics of casting, knot tying, fly selection, water reading, observing trout behavior, and more. The entire trip takes place on dry land, so there's no need for waders or the added challenge of learning to wade. While catching a fish isn't guaranteed, I promise to help you develop a strong foundation in fly fishing skills that you can continue to build upon.

For experienced anglers, if you are wanting to improve your fly fishing skills or are wanting new challenges, Riverfront Park is the place to see what you got. Where else can you sight cast size 18 emergers on long leaders to trout in clear, shallow water while kneeling on concrete steps smelling cigarette smoke and listening to the sound of loud ass car mufflers rumbling over a nearby bridge? I'd go so far as to call it the urban version of the Henry's Fork (blasphemy!).

If fly fishing in downtown is not up your alley, don't worry I'm also offering walk and wade trips this summer. I offer these trips as a way to help local anglers learn the ins and outs of fly fishing on the Spokane and how to wade these waters a little more safely. If you're interested in doing a walk and wade trip on the Spokane I do require that you come equipped with your own waders and felt bottom boots. Again, catching a fish is not a guarantee—I treat these guided trips more as instructional lessons designed to help you become a more self-reliant angler so you too can enjoy all the fun fly fishing the Spokane offers.

If you're getting out this weekend to fish the Spokane River nymphs and streamers have been working for a number of anglers. Use heavy, dark-bodied nymphs (size 12 to 14) under either an indicator or by tightline (euro) nymphing. The trout are already tucking themselves close to the rapids and other turbulent water since water temps are in the low-60s. Use double nymph rigs to get your flies down through the rough water and to where the trout are. If nymphs aren't working for you, then swap over to a streamer (crayfish patterns were working for me) and jig and twitch the streamer through the rough water.

As for wading on the Spokane, right now water flows are around 7300cfs which makes it tough to wade most areas on the river. But, it is still doable around calm eddies, on the inside bends of the river, and through shallow side channels that cut around small islands.

Last thing to note, if you are going to float the Spokane and take out or launch at Downriver Park there is a new sign giving directions on how to launch/recover your watercraft to minimize congestion. The green gate blocking the boat launch is locked by a combination lock, and if you want the code email rgriffith@spokanecity.org from Spokane Parks and Rec (that contact information is also included on the sign at the boat launch). The city also laid down new gravel at the site which is making is much smoother to back down trailers to the water. At Downriver Park, you'll also notice the city is re-building part of the Cochran Basin stormwater system that was damaged in a large rainstorm last fall. This stormwater system is meant to capture polluted stormwater runoff (that flows off of buildings and streets and into storm drains), divert it into retention ponds to be purified, and then released into the river. It's a huge step towards reducing the non-point source pollution that ends up in our river affecting both humans and fish alike.

Community Events

Fish and Hang Out, June 4th, starting 5:30pm, Riverfront Park

I'll be fishing at Riverfront Park on Wednesday, June 4th. I'll plan on getting to the Clocktower at about 5:30pm and then fishing until close to sundown, so if you show up later just walk around the park until you see a random dude with a sling backpack fly fishing (most likely me). I'll be there to answer questions about fishing the Spokane, maybe do some free casting lessons, and just having fun trying to catch the trout that cruise along the concrete steps of the Convention Center and over near the Carrousel. No waders needed. All experience levels welcome. If you need to borrow a fly rod, send me an email ahead of time (info@flyfishspokane.com)

River Cleanup Ambassador Training, June 5th 5:30 to 6:30pm, People's Park

Tired of the trash along the Spokane River? Want to see the Spokane River as a much cleaner place? Well here is a great opportunity to become a River Cleanup Ambassador for the Spokane Riverkeeper. This training event is designed to help you lead your own clean up events along the river with the support of the Riverkeeper. More info here.

Community Fish and Learn Day, Spokane Riverkeeper, June 7th 10:00am to 2:00pm, Nine Mile Recreation Area

Join Spokane Riverkeeper for a day of fishing, learning, and community connection on the beautiful Spokane River! Whether you’re brand new to fishing or a seasoned angler, Community Fish & Learn Day is a chance to share your love for the river and help others feel at home on the water. I'm planning on being there as well to help out for anyone interested in learning how to fly fish. More info here.

Trout Unlimited Summer Suds Fly Fishing and Camping Weekend, June 11-15

  The yearly camping and fly fishing event with Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited and Spokane Women on the Fly is happening again this June. It's a fantastic event to hang out, meet other anglers, and enjoy some fishing on the North Fork of the CDA. Click here for more info about the event.

Be sure to also follow Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited on Instagram and Facebook for volunteer opportunities. Recently, I helped out at a local event teaching over 100 kids from Franklin Elementary School how to cast a fly rod. It was fun, chaotic, and just a joy helping kids connect with fishing. Spokane Falls TU and Spokane Women on the Fly are always looking for volunteers, so be sure to follow them and reach out if you too would like to lend a hand (all experience levels welcome. All you need to do is show up and we can help teach you any fly fishing skills necessary to help teach other new anglers).