Skip to main content
Meeting Point
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
7:30 a.m. PDT
Duration
Full Day
Meals
Lunch Included

Coeur d'Alene River Full Day Float

The ROW Adventure Center is proud to offer guests the exclusive opportunity to float the upper stretch of the Coeur d'Alene River. We are the only outfitter that is licensed to float this remote stretch known as the North Fork, and our guests enjoy the serenity of this private experience.

The river flows from the Silver Valley into Lake Coeur d'Alene and is home to abundant populations of native cutthroat trout. The river is suitable for any skill level and many different fly fishing techniques can be used on this river. The varied terrain creates a range of water categories including riffles, runs, and deep-emerald pools. Each season the Coeur d'Alene boasts a variety of different hatches. Fishermen can expect to see prolific May Fly and Golden Stone hatches in May and June. Parachute Adams and different terrestrial patterns mark the summer months. The waters of North Idaho during the fall months of September and October are famous for their October Caddis hatches. In addition to excellent fishing, the Coeur d’Alene River offers spectacular wildlife viewing in an ideal mountain wilderness setting.

Rates

1 or 2 Anglers
$640

Float Trips - Available from March through June

*Includes all fishing gear and lunch on the river.

*Based on two anglers. Does not include taxes, fees, and optional guide gratuity (20% is recommended for satisfied guests!).

*Price plus a 6% Land & Water Access and Use fee

Please note: You will need to provide your own Idaho Fishing License. They can be purchased online at the Idaho Fish and Game website.

Itinerary

Meet at 7:30 a.m. PDT at the river about 45-50 mins from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Your guide will determine your exact meeting time.

 

Trip Details

ROW Adventures provides all necessary gear for the trip. If you have your own gear and would like to bring it just let us know.  Your guide will meet you at the river!

Fishing licenses are not included and can be purchased online at the Idaho Fish and Game website.

All fishing is catch and release.

Meeting Location

Our trips meet at the river - which is approximately 45-50 minutes east of downtown Coeur d'Alene. Your guide will contact you a few days prior to your trip to confirm the exact meeting place and time. 

 

FAQ's

Do I need a fishing license?

You will need to provide your own Idaho Fishing License. They can be purchased online at the Idaho Fish and Game website.

Where does the trip start and end?

Our trips meet at the river - which is approximately 30-40 minutes east of downtown Coeur d'Alene. Your guide will contact you a few days prior to your trip to confirm the exact meeting place and time.

What kind of flies do you recommend?

Each season the Coeur d'Alene boasts a variety of different hatches. Fishermen can expect to see prolific May Fly hatches, including mahogany duns, yellow quills, blue-winged olives, western green drakes and others.  There are stonefly hatches too, with little yellow stoneflies, winter stoneflies, Skwala and golden stoneflies.   Caddisflies are also common, especially in the early fall, and we see short-horned sedges, spotted sedges and little black caddis.  We fish with both dry flies and nymphs. Summer months are a great time for  terrestrial imitations like Japanese beetles, grass hoppers and carpenter ants.

What kind of wildlife might we see?

Idaho Department of Fish and Game suggests Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) and Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) as the recommended game fish in the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene.

As well, the following species have been observed in surveys from 2003 - 2020:

  • Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis observed in 2004
  • Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha observed in 2004
  • Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii observed in 2004
  • Dace Rhinichthys observed in 2004
  • Kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka observed in 2003
  • Largescale Sucker Catostomus macrocheilus observed in 2011
  • Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni observed in 2011
  • Northern Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis observed in 2010
  • Pacific Salmon Oncorhynchus observed in 2004
  • Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss observed in 2011
  • Redside Shiner Richardsonius balteatus observed in 2004
  • Steelhead (Snake River Basin DPS) Oncorhynchus mykiss pop. 13 observed in 2004
  • Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi observed in 2011

How can I check real time flow data for the river?

The USGS provides real time flow data on the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene on their website. You can find more information HERE.

How long is the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River?

North Fork Coeur d'Alene River (Coeur d'Alene River) in Shoshone County is 76.9 miles in length.

Do I need my own Rod, flies, boots and waders?

ROW Adventures provides all necessary gear for the trip. If you have your own gear and would like to bring it just let us know. Your guide will meet you at the river with everything you need to have a great day!

Can I keep the fish I catch?

All fishing is catch and release. We will help you get some great photos with your catches! 

Do you provide lunch on the full day float?

Yes, we do include Lunch as well as snacks and beverages on the full day float trips. 

Reviews 3

Overall Rating

Your email address will not be made public.
Rating
August Money
June 12, 2021 at 5:03 pm
I took my dad on this trip as a birthday gift, he and I are both amateurs when it comes to fly fishing but have always wanted to try. Row Adventures provided amazing service, from the booking experience to the actual trip itself. The guide was very friendly, knowledgeable, and accomodating, teaching us how to cast correctly and knowing all of the best spots, we were able to catch a lot of fish and had such a great first experience fly fishing. We will definitely be coming back.
Brad Wilson
May 19, 2021 at 2:59 am

Float trip on the CDA river

Mike Laughlin was our guide. Very personable! Worked hard to put us on the fish and very patient.
He knew where the fish were and worked both sides of the river the entire day. Great scenery, great fishing and a #1 guide!!
John Nelson
December 8, 2020 at 6:25 pm
Just a note to let you know I had a very nice day on the North Fork with Michael Laughlin. I’ve fished with a lot of very good, professional guides over the years and he has been one of my favorites. Great attitude, very personable, worked very hard and we caught a lot of nice fish. Thank you!