SWOTF Summer Suds Weekend
Welcome to the eight 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 6/11 – 6/15/25.
Important Camping Update for This Year – Due to the unavailability of the Devil’s Elbow group site, this year’s event will be held at Kit Price Campground. There will be no group campsite this year—each attendee is responsible for reserving their own site. SWOTF has reserved site B36, a larger spot with shelter, which will serve as our central meet-up location throughout the event.
Spokane Women on the Fly has reserved campsite B36, which will serve as our hub for evening socials and the Saturday morning 2-hour “On-Water” clinic.
Bring a chair, your favorite beverage, and join us in the evenings to relax, swap stories, share fishing tips, and enjoy some laughter and connection after a day on the water.
🎉 Saturday at 6:30 PM, we’ll gather at site B36 for some fun community time—you won’t want to miss it! (Unless, of course, your line’s running hot and the fish just won’t quit!)
Event Format
This event is the SWOTF DIY Fishing Weekend event model. Everyone goes out daily to fish and then connects 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
Kit Price Campground on the NF of the Coeur D’ Alene River
Dates
June 11th – 15th, 2025
Co-hosted
- Spokane Women on the Fly
- Elizabeth Simpson, Heather Hodson and Lindy Orozco
Contact Email
Weekend Activities
Come when you can. Some will be arriving on Wednesday and staying through Sunday Others will be arriving Friday after work and leaving Sunday morning.
- Wednesday 6/11/25 – Arrive Early to Fish
- Thursday 6/12/25 – Arrive Early to Fish
- Friday 6/13/25 – DIY Fishing
- 6:30 pm – Social evening time at campsite B36
- Saturday 6/14/25 – DIY Fishing and 2hr “On Water” Clinic
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – 2hr “On Water” Clinic
- Instructors: Elizabeth Simpson and Heather Hodson
- Meet at Campsite B36
- More information HERE
- 6:30 pm – SWOTF Relay Games and Camp Hang Time
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – 2hr “On Water” Clinic
- Sunday 6/15/25 – Fish and Depart
Food
You’re on your own for all meals.
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.
Kit Price Campground
Important Camping Update for This Year – Due to the unavailability of the Devil’s Elbow group site, this year’s event will be held at Kit Price Campground. The campground has three loops with a mix of first-come, first-served and reservation-only sites.
🔗 Click HERE to reserve your campsite
Please note: There will be no group campsite this year—each attendee is responsible for reserving their own site. SWOTF has reserved site B36, a larger spot with shelter, which will serve as our central meet-up location throughout the event.
We encourage you to coordinate with others for site reservations and carpooling.
2hr "On Water" Clinic
Instead of assigning individual river mentors this year, we’re switching things up! On Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, our river mentors will team up to lead a 2-hour hands-on “On-Water” clinic.
Since cutthroat fishing picks up as the day warms and the bugs begin to hatch, there’s no need to hit the water at sunrise.
📍 Meet at campsite B36 — come fully geared up with your waders and fishing equipment. It’ll be best to walk over as there won’t be room at the campsite for multiple cars.
We’ll rotate through several learning stations covering:
- Match the Hatch – Learn to identify aquatic bugs and choose the right flies.
- Leader Setups – Tips for dry and dry-dropper rigging.
- Approaching the Water –Are you searching or targeting? Your fishing approach should change depending on whether you’re exploring for fish or casting to one you’ve already spotted.
- Reading the Water – Understand where trout are likely to be based on conditions.
- Amphitheater Casting – Start close and work your way out and up stream.
- Mending – Practice achieving a drag-free drift.
- ABCs of Fly Fishing – Assessing the water, identifying bugs, and mastering your cast.
This is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills and connect with others—don’t miss it!
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!
Safety a& Wellness
For the safety of all, if you show any signs of illness or have a positive covid test result, kindly remain at home. Stay informed about the weather, dress for the occasion, and stay alert to any shifts in water conditions. There is no cell coverage on the river.
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.