SWOTF Summer Suds Weekend
Welcome to the seventh annual Spokane Women on the Fly “Summer Suds” fishing weekend. The event takes place near Prichard, Idaho on the North Fork of the Coeur D’ Alene River. Dates are 6/5 – 6/9/24. Please feel free to join us at the Devil’s Elbow Group Campsite throughout the weekend. Bring a chair, your favorite beverage and visit. We are looking forward to gathering in the evenings to hear about your adventures, and share laughter, friendship, and fishing tips.
Registration is REQUIRED to camp in the Group Campsite. Register HERE.
Saturday at 6:30 pm, we will gather at the Devil’s Elbow Group Camp Site for some fun community time. You won’t want to miss this! (unless of course, your lines are running hot and you just can’t leave the river!
This event is the SWOTF camp, fish and “hang” event model. Everyone goes out daily to fish and then hangs in the evening with fish tales. It’s budget-friendly for all! Please utilize the Facebook Group Event to connect with other women attending and make weekend fishing friends. If needed, the event co-hosts will help connect you with someone to fish with. Please let us know if you need to borrow any equipment.
Location
Devil’s Elbow Group Campsite on the NF of the Coeur D’ Alene River
Dates
June 5th – 9th, 2024
Co-hosted
- Spokane Women on the Fly
- Amy Carlson, Elizabeth Simpson, Heather Hodson and Lindy Orozco
Contact Email
Weekend Activities
Come when you can. Some will be arriving on Thursday and staying through Monday. Others will be arriving Friday after work and leaving Sunday morning.
- Wednesday 6/5/24 – Arrive Early to Fish
- Thursday 6/6/24 – Arrive Early to Fish
- Friday 6/7/24 – Arrive and Fish
- 6:30 pm – Fish Tales and Camp Hang Time
- Saturday 6/8/24 – Fishing and Exploring
- 6:30 pm – SWOTF Relay Games and Camp Hang Time
- Sunday 6/9/24 – Fish and Depart
Food
You’re on your own for all meals. There will be a communal stove that anyone can use at the campground.
Travel
It’s about 3hrs to the upper NF of the CDA River. There are several ways to get to the river. Please use Google Maps.
Connect in the Facebook Group
We have created a Facebook Group Event. Please utilize this group event to ask weekend questions and connect with other women to fish with over the weekend. This will be the location that the co-hosts will post additional event information to. Facebook Group Event Link HERE.
Group Camping
Must Register for Group Campsite. at Registration Coming Soon.
Devil’s Elbow, Kit Price and Big Hank campgrounds all have first come, first serve sites that you might be able to get. There is also some primitive sites along the river that may be available.
We recommend that you bring your own water, along with a camp chair and all your camping equipment.
- Camping 6/5 – 6/9/24.
- Picnic Tables and Outhouse are at Group Site.
- No Hook-Ups or Water.
- Well behaved dogs are allowed. Owner to clean up after the dog and make sure that they are not disturbing anyone’s fishing water.
Fishing License
Idaho Fishing License is Required. https://idfg.idaho.gov/licenses
DIY FIshing
This is a DIY Fishing Weekend. Each angler is responsible for bringing their own gear, tackle and flies. If you need gear, please let us know.
Boat Sticker Required
An Invasive Species Boat Sticker is REQUIRED for all boats launched in Idaho Waters. You also must stop at the Idaho Boat Checks. Buy sticker at https://idfg.idaho.gov/info/boat-stickers.
Fishing Tips
Get off the beaten path. Hike away from the road. Use the longest leader you can cast and fish well (12-18’). Talk to Silver Bow Fly Shop or NW Outfitters in CDA about the current fishing report.
Know the River Flows
Know the river flows before you go. It’s been a cold spring with a gradual runoff. Be prepared to fish the soft water and exploring the tributaries could be a great choice. There are two-gauge stations on the NF CDA River. Prichard and Cataldo. The links below are through the National Weather Service and will give the current flows as well as predictions. Prichard – https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=prci1&wfo=otx Cataldo – https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=ctli1&wfo=otx |
Fishing Equipment
- Fly Rods – 4-6wt Rods
- Leaders – 3-5x 9 – 12’ Leaders
- Tippet – 3x, 4x, 5x and possibly 6x
Fishing Techniques
Dry, Dry Dropper, Swinging Wet Flies, Nymph (Subsurface), Euro Nymphing or Streamers.
Flies
Check out Silver Bow Fly Shop’s “Fishing Report” for specific fly names. https://www.silverbowflyshop.com/fishingreports/
Hatches
Caddis, Salmon Fly, Golden Stone, Yellow Sally, Brown and Green Drakes, Flavs, BWO and PMDs.
Fly Examples
- CDC Thorax Drakes and Flavs
- Green Drake Sprouts
- Parachute Adams and Purple Haze
- CDC Golden Stones
- Larimer Yellow Sallie
- Yellow/Golden Chubby Chernobly
- Royal Wulff
- Caddis – X-Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis
- PMX & PMDs
- Droppers – Caddis, Lightning Bugs, Hares Ears, Tungsten Bead Nymphs
Education opportunities
There will be education opportunities each evening with the co-hosts and SWOTF Mentors learning the basics of knots, leader set-ups, flies, etc. Don’t be shy to ask questions!
Swotf mentors available
SWOTF Mentors will be available for a couple of hours on Saturday to help answer questions. If you’d like to be connected with a mentor, please email us at [email protected].
MENTOR DISCLAIMER – Your mentor is not a guide. They will help share their knowledge but you’re still responsible for set-up, knots, leaders, etc. Please bring your own leader, tippet and flies to use. You might be paired up with two anglers per mentor based on the mentor availability.
Covid Policy
Safety is our biggest concern. We will follow the CDC and State of Idaho and Washington recommendations. If you have symptoms, please do not come to this event.
Questions
Email us at [email protected] with any questions until Thursday morning. Utilize the SWOTF Facebook Group Event to connect with those attending.
Weekend Disclaimer
Spokane Women on the Fly want you to have an unforgettable weekend. The event mission is to foster a sense of belonging to all individuals who attend. We will provide education, resources and connect anglers throughout the weekend. Drama of any kind will not be tolerated. This weekend is DIY and not guided by the co-hosts. Please connect with other women in the Facebook Group Event to make fishing plans. This is not an exclusive women’s weekend as some partners will also be attending.