Fly away to beautiful northwestern Idaho for Orvis Fly Fishing classes and a golf vacation at this full-service luxury resort.

Ruggedly handsome mountains. A sparkling, blue-diamond lake. Simmering yellow sunsets toasted with a glass of wine. All served compliments of Coeur d’Alene Resort, a luxurious full-service property curling comfortably along the edge of crystal-clear Coeur d’Alene Lake. Less than an hour’s drive east of Spokane, Washington, and snuggled up to the cozy town of Coeur d’Alene (pronounce it “coor da LANE” to sound like a local) in northwestern Idaho, this exclusive resort promises a refreshing stay as cool as a long drink of ice water on a hot summer day.

Summers are especially spectacular at this comfortably elegant yet casual retreat where outdoor activities range from soothing boat rides on the lake to the more adventurous white-water rafting, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and golf. Posh accommodations paired with superb surroundings make a perfect match. Coeur d’Alene Resort offers a star-studded list of amenities that features an ultra-relaxing spa, a wide range of dining options, and a unique, award-winning golf course highlighted by a devilishly clever floating-island 14th hole. Surprisingly that hole is only a simple par 3, unless you have water-seeking golf balls (as Yogi Berra might have said, “I prefer to remain anonymous”). In that case this hole could easily become an all-day activity in a manner similar to challenges posed by sand trap-seeking golf balls.

Even the approach to the golf course itself takes full advantage of the lakeside setting. Before teeing off, guests cast off aboard a mahogany Chris Craft. On a beautiful summer’s day, you might be tempted to lure the captain for a ride around the lake instead of the links, but that would deprive you of the pleasurable challenge of playing the nationally acclaimed course, which is rated as one of the best in the country.

Speaking of lures though, trophy-size trout just waiting to be hooked fill the waters of the Spokane River, a 30-minute drive from Coeur d’Alene Resort. Unidentified local anglers claim to have caught fish that hopped right into their boat, unhooked themselves, posed for a photograph, and loaned the fishermen a ruler and a spring weight that added 6 inches and half a pound to the fish’s actual size. Sound like a fish tale? Perhaps, but Pat Way, director of Orvis Northwestern Outfitters’ Fly Fishing School in Coeur d’Alene, offers a 2-day fishing course that operates out of the resort and gives you the “reel” line on catching fish in nearby waters. “We teach everything during the course from how to cast to what the fish are going for this time of year,” explains Pat. “I even cook for the fishermen,” he adds. “Don’t worry about having never fished before or coming in with a lot of experience—we have all levels of skill and can help anyone regardless of their experience.” The highlight of the class is a half-day fishing trip on the Spokane River, where all the students receive individual instruction on their fly-fishing technique while casting in the water. “It’s great fun,” Pat emphasizes. “We’ve had ages ranging from children all the way up to 90-year-olds.” He doesn’t offer to tell any fishing stories—though he prefers to leave the art of making up tall tales, including the one about the trophy fish that got away, to his students.

You can also enjoy the natural beauty surrounding Coeur d’Alene from a helicopter or seaplane. Brooks Seaplane, for instance, offers 1½-hour seaplane rides for $50 per person for groups of up to 6 people; for more information or to make reservations please call 208.664.2842.

For slower-paced enjoyment, visit the town of Coeur d’Alene. Restored, brick-front shops selling antiques as well as home furnishings and clothing along with inviting cafes line the old-time streets. The town’s active summer performing arts season promises entertaining concerts, plays, and other productions, and nearby casinos provide the tempting chance to make your vacation pay for itself—or at least defray the expense of all those golf balls you lost at the floating 14th hole.

By Mark Stith

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