Skagit Winter Steelhead Schools: February 4 or 5

Skykomish Winter Steelhead Schools: Jan 14 or 15

Olympic Peninsula Steelhead
Feb 10 - April 30

Steelhead & Salmon guide trips

Mexico Bonefishing
Feb 20 - March 20

*Pay for a guide trip online*

12/26/04

"Christmas Time Rivers"

The holidays find the North sound rivers all over the board. Cool and rainy seems to be the drill and each river handles it differently. Fishing is as scattered as the weather.

Skykomish River: 2,880 cfs as of Sunday Morning. Chums and silvers are all but gone, but winter hatchery steelhead in fits and spurts. Even hearing rumors of a few wild natives showing. Now that is pretty cool! The defined gravel bars and easy wading (most places) makes the Sky, a friendly steelhead flywater .

Fishing strategies: While fishing around winter gear anglers, I prefer to fish the softer colors such as blues, blacks and purples in marabous and Practitioners. Any of your silhouette colors will work. As the Sultan River still has color, if it rains, try fishing upstream, from High Bridge to the Sultan River.

Here is another tip: Fishing pressure tends to move steelhead to the edges, especially in clear water. Most anglers don't bother fishing the riffley heads and few will fish the broken wake in the tailouts. Fish high and low in the pool when the steelhead are trying to hide. You will be surprised. Our January steelhead schools will cover much of this.

Stilly, North Fork: 4600 cfs. @ Deer Creek. River is out. We will need a cold snap to put it back to shape. The little stream should get some new winter hatchery steelhead. but staying with them from day to day, is the trick. The lower river doesn't have a lot of great holding water, anyway, so these hatchery brats can really cover some water. Bottom Line: If you don't find where you left them from the day before, get on your horse and move around.

Flies & technique: Bobbers work but we prefer swinging flies on sink-tips. Poor Mike has had a Christmas rush on his Yancy lines. Take heart. I promise we will have some to demo in our upcoming Sky Winter Steelhead school.

Sauk: Not so good news: Even the 1991 flood didn't destroy the holding water like it has now. It's flushing but it will be slow. Wouldn't waste my time, yet.

Skagit: 5,000 > 8,000 cfs. The late running Silvers and Chum, this winter, are in their final chapter. It was a very good run of fish. Mike released a lovely wild coho the other day. Dollies, steelhead and coho are the drill.

Skykomish Winter Steelhead Schools: January 14 or 15. Our annual Skykomish winter steelhead schools are just around the corner. Take a minute to check out our Custom Steelhead schools.
Why didn't I think of that before? We have even added an evaluation form for anglers to decide which school is best suited for them.

Fish Conservation: Why am I am not surprised? Word I hear, is Sparkly 2 is going to propose that All fish that are not to be retained, should be released without removing from the water. Yeah, the Yakima River & and Quality Waters trout guys will have to be thrilled about that one. You can't argue the logic: If the rule is good for one salmonid, I guess it's good for another.

Just when you were ready to throw rocks: Did you know that the Quinault Indian Tribe does not fin clip their winter steelhead? We release them all back to the water, then we don't have to decide. Just thought you should know.......

Merry Christmas & best of fishing,

Dennis, Mike, Jonathan, & Darrel www.flyfishsteelhead.com

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

December 19, 2004

Holiday Time

Rivers bounced in high water, during the last fishing report. Skagit fell in to shape by Wednesday. Still the odd chum around, but its pretty much a Dolly show now. Speaking of which, been releasing some dandies lately. A few over five pounds! A single handed 5 wt. and a floating line is golden.

Think Alaska:

Egg patterns and flesh flies are the drill for consistent Dolly fishing, now. Fish them just like you would the rainbows behind the sockeye spawn, in Alaska. There are some wonderful wild Char out there.

Kudo's to you: I don't foresee the WDFW changing fishing regulations to protect the Dolly/Bull in the Skagit drainage, any time soon. I do get letters from anglers and guides who have taken it upon themselves to release these wild Char. Kudo's. It is where a change can start.

Be careful what you wish for: Some people are not going to connect the dots like you do. Not lifting a steelhead from the water during a C&R fishery seems like a good idea. Heavens know, I would rather see that, than a netted steelhead flopping around in the bottom of a drift boat, while the guy searches for his pliers. But. It happens to be a small jump for some people; that if lifting a steelhead from the water is bad, so is the conducting of any sport (such as fishing) that involuntarily induces a steelhead to stick his head from the water (jumping). Ergo: All sport fishing for steelhead must be bad, because steelhead often lifts his head from the water, when hooked.

You think I am over reacting? Wander back to your favorite conservation group and ask them, what is their policy on Catch & Release fisheries? I won't mention names here, but you may be shocked what organizations maintain, all nonkill sport fisheries are considered inhumane. Our very existence of responsible, nonretentive fishing, is being undermined. Careful what you wish for.

The commercial netting is pretty intense right now. The high water has brought in some winter steelhead, but it's never good when the anglers outnumber the fish.

The water is cold now. Flylines Catch Fish is probably the best article I have written on winter steelhead.

Our Flyfishing Schools have gone crazy. Every once in a while even I will come up with a good idea. *Custom schools, where an angler schedules his own day, and we find the other one or two anglers to join him, has just been huge. Total win-win situation. (*contact me for details)

We have also had a ton of response on our Advanced Floating Lines for Winter Steelhead/Dolly class. We still haven't set any dates as yet but we are trying to fit it in our guide schedule. Looks like early February. Keep you posted.

Fishing forecast: Weather is supposed to hold. Lots of eagles down now. I don't need much of a reason to spend a quiet day on the Skagit. Kind of itching to float the Sauk again, if the river will drop just a little bit more........

Rivers will be fishing prime until the weather changes. There are fish to be visited, and much to be thankful for.

Merry Christmas to all,

Mike, Jonathan, Darrel & Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com

Best of Fishing,

D

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

December 12, 2004

"Dog days & Dolly nights"

As you read this, the rivers are swollen, and winter steelhead are coming in. The cold nights are dropping waters but the weather Doppler says it may be short-lived. Ah, such is life in the Pacific Northwest.

North Sound rivers:
Mike and Jonathan just got back from fishing the Olympic Peninsula. They found good fishing until monsoon Mary came through and forced them back for home. Darrel and I have been focusing on the Skagit up in the Rockport area. Believe it or not, fresh dogs continue to come up, Dollies continue to head down, and steelhead should continue to trickle in on this high water.

Black Bart continues to be our number one swinging fly for Chums, Steelhead (they will hit anything) and Dollies*. Dollies will grab anything, as long as it has an egg associated with it.

If the river recede, we will have fish.

I know many of you like to fish on your own. That's cool. Some guys will write me and almost apologize for simply asking a question. Don't feel bad, Dickson guides may not have a lot of time, but always happy to get you pointed in the right direction. Here is an article I wrote a while back called Choosing a Guide

Skykomish River Steelhead Flyfishing Schools: January 14 & 15
Schools are pretty much full now. Always welcome to check on last minute cancellations. (Remember, only the deposit will hold the date. If there is a question on your status, just give me a holler.)

New School Concept: We are adding a new concept in our Flyfishing Schools:

Skagit or Skykomish River Steelhead Custom Schools: Class size & different levels. How would you like to have your own private Steelhead Flyfishing school for $150?

This is how it works. Pick a date with us, 20 days or more in advance, and we will set it up. All we ask is that we can add two more guys to your school day. If we can't find one or two anglers to fill your custom 3 angler school? You have a private school, all to yourself. Your guide will still provide all the trick gear and secret flies. (Like Yancy Outfits, & eggsucking CopCars.) He will go over the whole drill of reading water and fly presentation, just like the big class. Private gig.

Will these custom schools take the place of our monthly conventional Steelhead Flyfishing Schools? No way, but it does allow for the guy who is a little group shy, but would really like to learn the mystery steelhead.

Next week we can explore Advanced Steelheading classes such as " Floating line Presentations for Dollies & winter steelhead". (No dates as yet)

Steelhead & Salmon Manners: In my former life, I worked as a Tribal Enhancement Biologist. We would capture wild salmon (and steelhead) from the Stillaguamish River, and use them in our broodstock program. We used everything from scoop traps to rod & reel. We held live adult fish in holding tanks, sometimes for weeks before they were ripe enough to spawn. When you have literally handled thousands of adult fish for extended periods of time like I have, you learn a lot about handling fish. We also know how to handle fish in a C&R fishery. Just thought you should know.

Happy fishing through the holidays,

Mike, Jonathan, Darrel & Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

December 05, 2004

"And you said we weren't going to have any fun"

As you read this, the rivers are in prime shape, and winter steelhead are just coming in. A late shot of bright dogs are swimming the Skagit, and more and more Dolly/Bull Char are showing up every day. Many fish in the mid twenty inch range. Imagine what the fishing would be like if we didn't kill them?

Fishing conditions is all about finding suitable river levels. Check River Levels is a great way to see if the rivers are fit, from your computer. Here is a rough and dirty I use:

Skykomish: 8,000 cfs or below, on a dropping water
Sauk: 7,000 cfs or below...
Stilly at Deer Creek: 3,000 cfs or below...
Skagit is a little trickier, because of dam daily fluctuations. No fishing above 10,000 cfs. from Marblemount gauge.

Black Bart has been our number one swinging fly for Chums, Steelhead (they will hit anything) but our Egg-sucking Cop Car is a great fish finder. Dollies are still locked into anything with an egg associated to it. Egg-n-shuck off floating lines - way too much fun.

Because you asked for it: The most controversial article I ever wrote has to be Doublehanded rods Advantages & Disadvantages. That was some five years ago. This is my five year review.

No, the Beach Popper has little resemblance to our Skagit Skater, but it might work for river fish, too.

Sorry: To my knowledge, no flyshop has the Skater Skater. We don't even sell them on Mike's Streamsideflyshop site.

A) Still working the bugs out.

B) takes 20 minutes to build one

C) We tend to get into trouble when we talk too much about a fly or a fishery

Skykomish River Steelhead Flyfishing Schools: January 14 or 15

Our January 2005 Sky school is filling up. We have been getting great feedback on these educational clinics. We are now considering adding university level classes for those who are already catching steelhead on the fly, who just want to expand their arsenal in presentation and flies. Very cool.

Most guys are just smarter than that: Ever notice how much attention a few guys put into trying to discredit what Dickson guides do? The reason isn't because our little 6 - angler schools, are filling the streams with anglers. That is stupid. You would have to close every retail, cancel every fishing magazine, stop every fishing club outing, to somehow prevent that one.

No, the real reason is because our schools and clinics actually work. We build anglers. Whiney-butts know it. They can't be mad at you for taking the class, so they get upset at me and my guys for providing it. Ah, such is life.

Missing the mark: There is a wise saying that goes something like this:
"Wise men discuss ideas, common men discuss events, and little men talk about each other."

There are so many things that we should address such as protecting wild fish, here in our own state. If we truly are sportsman. Can't we put aside this whiney-butt dribble and get back to saving our fisheries? Our kids are counting on us.

Now that would be a Christmas present,

Dennis, Mike, Jonathan & Darrel.

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

11/28/04

Football and beyond.

Rains and swollen rivers have kept us off the rivers for the past few days.
Mike is out on the Skagit as we speak. Jonathan & I will be out on Monday. This is my catch-up time, so I have been tying Skagit Skaters, watching football, and adding post Thanksgiving calories.

Who would have ever thought?

Back in the late 70's, I stumbled onto and developed a saltwater Chum Salmon fishery called Hoodsport. This was back in a time, where C&R was a laughable concept. Why would you ever want to catch a fish that wasn't even good to eat? Besides, all Chums do is tear up your tackle.....Yeah Baby!

Five years ago, I started writing about wonderful flyfishing for Dolly Varden on the Skagit and Sauk rivers. Better knowns were expounding how anyone worth his wading shoes would never lower himself to actually fish for Dollies.......they are trash fish, of course, which eat salmon eggs......Experts back peddled.

For the last few days we have been enduring early winter rains, which hopefully will revert back to a stunning late fall. The weather during this time of year can change on a dime. Lovely one day, brutal conditions, the next. High waters have brought in even more Chum salmon in our Washington streams, and from freshwater to salt, anglers are out enjoying both the despicable chum and the trashy Dolly Varden. Late Silvers are showing, again. Does my heart good.

Why? Because only anglers who enjoy our fisheries are the ones who become passionate about saving and protecting our fish and their waters. It truly takes a village.

Skykomish River is falling back into shape: Anglers are out. Stilly North Fork is about to go bait, so you feather flingers might want to hit that....

Sauk is struggling, but may get to fishable if the cold weather comes.

Dollies are on the Chum redds. Our glue egg-n-shuck is real good. Careful where you wade, careful where you cast! As the Chum spawn and die, the flesh flies will start up again.

Chums are known for the color green, green is about my number four color. Combinations of blacks, (Black Bart), purple, (micro Eggsucker), pinks (Pink Stinker) are all good. Chum Sport which is green, is the freshwater counterpart, to Dickson's' Chum Candy. See, I told you I was a legend in my own mind......

Everybody knows Dollies and Chum won't take in the surface, so don't even bother.

Way too much fun.

The ghost tip makes the Yancy multi-tip and wonderful saltwater flats line. Seguar Grand max. is the best flouro. leader out there, in my estimation. Use 0x for dogs, and 3x for Dollies.

Eggsucker C.C., and Black Bart (both have egg faces) are important now, because the Dollies are keyed into eggs, and good luck trying to keep it away from the puppies!

If you wanted to know if your flyfishing reels are up to steelhead, fish now. Chums will show you what's what.

Winter steelhead are around the corner. By popular demand, we are now offering a Winter Steelhead Flyfishing School on the Skykomish River. Think mid January for this comprehensive school. Course will cover sinktipping with both single and double handed rods.

If your sweetie is having trouble coming up with a present this Christmas. Our Gift Certificate is already getting attention. Good for either Schools or Guide trips

Winter Blues: Mexico Feb 20 - Mar 20 Bonefishing in the Caribbean,.

Accused of about everything, but never of not catching fish,

D & the boys

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

11/21/04

"Can you spell Chum?"

As our Skagit fall schools come to a close for another season, I am again reminded just how much fun they are. So many species, so many types of flies and presentation. It would be hard to relegate but I think the top experiences would have to be Toshi's runaway on a Skagit Skater, (a fish we never did see, it just headed for the middle of the river and took everything)! Maybe it was Jasmine's 15 pound buck chum which ate her egg-n-shuck while targeting a Dolly riffle. Not only did she land this bad-boy (this was her first day flyfishing), she managed it on her little 5 wt. I just didn't have the heart to tell her to break it off. You know in 30 years of chasing chums, I have never had to necessitate a Chum. Pretty amazing when you think about it.

At the day's end, our Skagit Scholars floated down to the Sutter Creek boat launch. A couple guys commented on the jam show going on down at Swift Creek. If they only knew.......

The real good news is fresh salmon continue to migrate into our local streams. Plenty of fishing opportunity if you don't mind getting out and exploring a bit.

Low flows and low temps. continue, good news is, even some early winter steelhead are showing. Darrel released a dandy winter hatchery fish the other day.

The Skagit is still producing Chum and Dollies. Black Bart is very good for Chum on the bright days, Dollies still hanging around the salmon. Hooked a ton of whitefish while chasing the char on Mikes Egg-n-shuck. Jon took this lovely Dolly the other day while he and Mike reconed on the Sauk. Pretty cool. When you catch them on the back end of a redd, pretty obvious what they are feeding on.

Sauk Dollies are holding off creek mouths and soft current seams. This fishery will only get better ... if this next rain doesn't knock the river out. (The Sauk has just come into shape) This poor stream is still silted up, but it is trying to flush. Let's hope.

All the rivers are low and ultra clear. Fish accordingly.

We are already getting inquiries about our 2005 Olympic Peninsula steelhead season. Our plan is to finish out this fine salmon season, fishing through January on our local North Sound streams for Steelhead and surface Dollies. We book our OP trips after the hatchery runts come through and the wild native enter. Think February. Yes, the Chosen River is a real stream, we just don't talk about it.

For a comical read, try Guide Hats in our Stories & Articles section.

Oh, if you wanted that last shot at the North Fork Stilly before it flips over to gear, better hit it before Dec 1.

Best of fishing thru the holidays,

Dennis

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

11/14/04

"So much fishing, so little time."

Fishing continues as the rivers have settled back. More rains are forcasted, We will see. All species are happening. From waiting period Coho, to upriver summer steelhead, everything is in the mix. Me and the guides are bouncing from river to river right now. The Stilly is good above the slide for summer steelhead, SRC & Dollies. Careful where you step. Many Chum salmon are spawning now.

Speaking of which: Early dollies are coming out of the Sauk, and Skagit chum and Coho are throughout the system. One of Jonathans guys even swam a bright winter steelhead, but it was camera shy and wouldn't come to shore. Did I mention the Sky fish are showing well? 2 Bit down to Monroe has a ton of Chum & Coho in it, but when the water goes to air clear, it is time to go with the light long leaders if you want to catch them biting.

I like fishing the SRC, coho, and steelhead on floating line techniques, Dogs traditionally do better on sinktips and scaled down egg sucking leaches, but try the surface. It works. Pays to experiment with line presentations.

All species doing well. Even a gazillion white fish. Think they will ever be a sport?

Letter to Brian: I feel ya Man. Three days without a steelhead on the Grande Ronde is tuff. Here are some of the Grande Ronde photos, our guys took.

Some of the clients asked that names not be added. I can respect that. Ton of thanks to those who contributed in these 91 pictures.

Guys ask me all the time, "Why don't you write more?" I really didn't mean to, but sometimes life turns on a dime. Here it is: "Sometimes it's not about the Fishing"

Dolly Schools: Nov. 19, 20 or 21 Wow!!! That was a hit. All our classes were full but I see we had a couple guys bail for Saturday. We will go over everything from casting with single & double handed rods to three different presentations from Coho to SRC. If you haven't received your itinerary yet, just give me a holler.

To the dogs that bark:

Anyone who has to flame over a bulletin board is a coward. My email is what it is. My phone number is at the bottom. Any guide would feel the same....

Best of fishing,

Dennis

425 238 3537

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

11/07/04

"Meet Darrel"

Every business goes through it's growing pains. We at Dickson's are happy to announce our newest flyfishing guide, Darrel. Come read about him in our Biography section. We are lucky to have him. As they said in Boston,

"We are just a bunch of idiots"

The Fishing week:

We were finally able to get out of the rain shadow for a few days.......the rivers are back to fishing well.

Skykomish River: Plenty of Coho, chums are in and coming. Green works.......cerise/purple is even better. All the fly pools holding fish from Gold Bar to Monroe.

Skagit: Appears the chum run is stronger than anticipated. Just opened for kill. *Dollies are bailing......some big boys coming out. Marabous and bunny leaches will get them. As Chums are in, Mike's egg-shuck is deadly.

Sauk: Was fishing well before the high water. Look for a few more cold nights for the river to come to prime. Couple nasty sweeps in the upper run......so be careful. Pools are beginning to flush in the middle section.

Stilly: River is fishing well, above the Slide, but continues to create havoc below. Everything is in there, now. Some late hatchery steelhead have even shown in Fortson. Hitting a variety of flies. Hazel area is good. Released a 21" SRC, a 6 pound summer steelhead.......and a 26" Dolly, all on the same day......that was pretty fun.

I just love it, when WDFW predicts low.....couple that was a couple freshets, and Voila!.....we get fish in. Now watch it rain tonight..........

Rose a lovely 23" Dolly/Bull (as well as a couple Skagit Chum) the other day. Too Cool. If you haven't already read my *Dolly Editorial, (note: this is a link on Washingtonflyfishing.com) - I pose the question. "Should we be killing the wild Char of the Skagit System?"

I promised you an update on the Skagit Salmon/Dolly/Steelhead School Nov 19 > 22

Here is the latest and greatest:

Nov 19 - 2 slots available

Nov 20 - 1 slot

Nov 21 - Full

Nov 22 - canceled (sorry, other obligations)

So there you have it. Lots of fish around, Drop by anytime.

Best of fishing.

Mike, Jonathan, Darrel & Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com

Best of Fishing,

D

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

October 31, 2004

"The only thing predictable about a steelhead is his unpredictability" Dennis Dickson.

Brilliant colors and falling leaves remind us that fall may be here, but winter is coming.

I have barely scraped the desert dirt from under my finger nails. 52 anglers and 9 consecutive 3 day Grande Ronde camp-outs, is a lot of fishing. The guides & I had exactly two days off in that month. What did Mike and Jonathan want to do on their day off? Fish! Can you believe that?

Here is what Willie had to say about his Grande Ronde trip.

I marvel how Michael & Jonathan can bounce right back into the westside salmon/steelhead scene after 12-16 hour G. R. days, since the end of September.

We are compiling a Foto album of all the fishing, which we will send our to our G. R. angling guests, so if you have a special pic, Mike will be happy to include it. Thanks again for coming. Way too much fun.

Back to North Sound Rivers. Rain brought in more salmon & steelhead. Life is good.

Fishing was excellent before yesterday's rain, high fish numbers simply continue in all our north sound rivers.

Monday is not like Tuesday: Every day brings a different tide. Chum and Coho continue to dominate the scene. Rivers like the Snohomish, Skagit, and Stillaguamish are getting it done. If you ever wanted to explore Pacific salmon fishing on a fly, now is the time to get it done. I wrote an article called Flyfishing Pacific Salmon. Might want to check it out. The Yancy line is working, as well as the floating lines and long leaders. As the waters fall: These waters can get deceptively clear. Seagar Grand Max is the best fluorocarbon on the market, and we have been fishing it a lot, when the rivers go to air-clear.

Flies are as variable as the season. One day it's Mrs. Black, next day it's Pink Stinker. Black Bart is a good producer, and one day, all they wanted was a C. C., fished under the surface, on the next...

I think a huge rush, is skating flies across the surface. The Coho can just crush it. Chums & Dollies are not supposed to come to the surface. Guess they can't read.

Pick your poison, baby! Chum Sport and ever popular Chum Candy will work here. For Coho try the Clouser Minnow in Green/white or Pink/white......but fish SRC sizes, not only the big stuff after the rains.

Dolly/Coho/Winter Skagit Steelhead schools: Nov 19 >22 are just around the corner. Fast becoming the most popular school we do. Learn the tackle and technique that river salmon really bite. Every species has his own preferred waters, his own particular flies and line presentation. Should be a bunch of fish, to practice on.

I promise to give an update on what dates are still available, next week. I have prepared a detailed itinerary, as your deposit comes thru. We do get late cancellations. Want to put together your own group? No problemo! We can custom build a school, just for you.

Dickson Watch: My bad. When I advertised the Chum Salmon as part of our upcoming Skagit Flyfishing schools, I was told on good authority, we should be having a *Skagit kill Chum fishery again in 2004, typical of a nonhumpy year. We were just stumbling back from the Grande Ronde marathon, when we put up. *{The Skagit Chum is now open for kill}

I am humbled there are so many who care so much of what Dickson Flyfishing, does.

Next week I hope to introduce you to our newest flyfishing guide. Meet Darrel.

Bad to the bone,

Dennis, Mike, & Jonathan www.flyfishsteelhead.com

Best of Fishing,

D

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

Oct 24, 2004
"Back at the Ranch"

As Mike, Jonathan & I have just returned from nearly a month on the Grande Ronde. I would like to thank my sweet wife for holding down the fort while we have been away.
Here is the scoop.

North Sound streams heat up

As we approach the first of November, Our weather patterns are as variable as the tides. We are now fishing in the upper North Fork Stilly, Sky & Skagit Rivers for steelhead. The Chum salmon are swimming past us all day. The fishing is both floating lines and sinktips, and we are catching just about everything. Way cool. Our top fly is our egg-n-shuck pattern. Dead drifted, no weight and no indicator. Dollies, SRC, and even a steelhead....if you can get it by the Chum. GRRRRR.

We are fishing down into the estuary as weather permits - fishing the tides, but the multiple species and nickel bright fish are worth it. Client fly, Mrs. Black, on our fluorocarbon leader, and floating lines was awesome. I always love the days when the boys are into fish so well, we have to apologize by saying," The fishing isn't always like this". Now that's a good day.

Anyway, there are tons of fish; the straits, along the beaches (try your Clousers), in the estuaries, and up the rivers.

The good news: As water reach oxygen saturation below 47 degrees, and Stilly temperatures are in the mid forties, I simply haven't seen a prespawning mortality, or even stressed fish to hand in any species, as some would propose. The commercials are gutting salmon for the eggs (no market for the carcass), all the while cumulative mortality impact of a river recreational fishery is almost nil, but watch those weather patterns. One day you are golden with great visibility, and the next you are washed out.
Better read your regs. on fish retention. Varies from stream to stream. If you have never fished tidal fish, do it now, it's awesome.

New! Winter Coho, Dolly, Steelhead Skagit River Schools Nov 19-22 Come see why this was our most popular schools of the 2002 & 2003 seasons!

Oct 29 or 30 Tidewater School. Canceled.

Fishing continues over on the Grande Ronde. They are also looking for that rain. The Snake always runs warmer than the GR, so that is a good bet, for surface fishing.

While over doing the GR campouts, I ran into a gentleman, who was a first time steelhead flyfisher. He started talking about this amazing fly he got from the local flyshop that was taking the Clearwater and Snake River fish , by storm. I about fell over when he opens his box, and sitting there, is a spitting image of our Crystal Caddis. If you want to see it, go to our www.streamsideflyshop.com, and look in the flies section.

Our North Sound streams fish so well in November. Come spend a day. Lovely fishing.

Best of Fishing,

Dennis, Mike & Jonathan
425 238 3537

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

October 17, 2004

Notes from the Grande Ronde:

"The good, the bad, and the ugly."

We have been fishing and camping the last 16 straight days on the Ronde, I am still a little groggy around the edges, but here is some thoughts and reflections of the fishing thus far..

The good: The weather has been lovely and warm, as we started out early October. We have fished a lot of floating lines, which is totally cool. Crystal Caddis was our top producer during the day, and GR, and Twilight ( a black and white spey pattern) was our dawn and dusk fly. As the waters got colder, we gave way to swinging leeches and marabous in the morning, and left the surface stuff in the afternoons and evenings.

We have run into a few smaller wild steelhead, in the 4-10 pound range, but almost half were in the 8-11 pound category. Little more reluctant to come up, but Wow! Talk about hot fish.

The fall colors have come out. Everyone marvels how beautiful the canyons are this time of year. Our fishing trips are designed to miss most of the angling pressure. Happened again.

The bad: The colder temps the past few days, meant we have had to revert a lot more to weighted flies and or sinktips. The last morning temperature was a bloody 42 degrees! That is Thanksgiving to Christmas temps on our local rivers. Fish continued to stack at the Grande Ronde mouth, and the anglers made the lower river look like opening day on Reiter Ponds.

Even we canyon anglers, have seen way too many hatchery steelhead this year, which are more than OK, but its the wild fish that are your abandoned surface risers.

The Ugly:
A few years ago, a prominent angling author wrote a searing article about some guys who came up to his BC waters and pounded his waters to submission with bobbers and lead eyes. I remember after the reading, I was a little miffed on how this author had the nerve to pout sour grapes while describing how the bobber boys were slaying the fish and he and his cronies couldn't hardly find the fish, swinging flies.

Several of my anglers came up from the mouth of the Ronde this year, telling stories how outfitters were moving into pools, lining their guys up, slinging bobbers and jigs, crushing the fish, while never moving, so no one else could even get onto the pool!

Normally, I go way out of my way to not to poo poo any man's sport, but it was this very type of stack up angling that got Bobbers and such, kicked off the fly-only stretch on the Umpqua River. Might want to review my article on River Etiquette.

Anyway, Jonathan, Mike and I are fortunate to get in on some of the awesome fishing. I remember again, why the Grande Ronde is always one of my favorite fall fisheries.

North Sound Streams.

Tidewater Schools Oct 29 or 30

Our upcoming schools are rocking, I will give a latest on what dates are still available, next week.
Look for our new chum salmon flylines, salt flats leaders, and trick flies coming in. My goal is to have our top 50 steelhead, SRC, and salmon patterns, both freshwater to salt, up on site, in the next few weeks.

Back to the fishing, I have been away for while, but we will be back on the lake this Wednesday, so I will give an update on the private lakes.

Well, about time for a power nap........have to get ready to fish tomorrow.

Best of Fishing,

Mike, Jonathan & Dennis
425 238 3537

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

Oct 10, 2004

" If God were to build one steelhead river, it would have to be the Grande Ronde."

Still scrubbing the Eastern Washington dirt from under my finger nails. Jonathan Mike, and I continue the Grande Ronde 3 day Camp-outs. Even I have way too much fun.

Many Kudo's to all the guys and gals who have joined us, or planning the trip, down on the GR this month. Jonathan runs camp, while all three of us did the guiding gig. Far to many tales to tell.

A GR snapshot:

Days have been warm and water clear, typical for early October. When the October Caddis are coming off, the anglers do very well on our Crystal Caddis. Weather has chilled, and temperatures have dropped a bit. More steelhead are coming but a little more reluctant about coming to the surface. We have resorted to swinging sinktips and nymphing techniques. (No, we don't do bobbers...) Mrs. Black, and the Conehead series are very effective. We have fished the surface in the dry fly water, when the light is off the water...

Leaches and buggers will always dredge up a fish as the water goes cold. I like blacks, blues and purple.

According to my numbers, our CPUE (catch per unit effort) has been up this year. Another high note was the number of well conditioned wild fish we found. The number of "first caught steelhead" by our anglers is very gratifying.

From blitz to blizzard:

I really disdain the "How many/ How big" talk anglers get sucked into, sometimes. I do remember one episode when after a nice day of fishing, when a few of our anglers really got into some active fish in one of our canyon pools. The very next day, Mike and I had the one day off of the whole time, so of course we went fishing. I won't go into detail but I will tell you, it was some of the fastest steelheading I have ever seen, (and that includes BC). To spend that magic morning on that one pool, with my son was priceless.

The weather has been unsettled on many days, and to tell you the truth the warm days haven't returned until the day before yesterday, but the fishing was good.

I will keep you posted on our fishing for the next couple weeks.

North Sound Streams:

Coho will be in, and early Chum are on their heels. If we can get this high water down, should be plenty of fish to go around, in the local rivers.

Speaking of salmon:

My sweet wife has been booking up all our Tidewater Schools October 29 or 30 . Very popular outing.

I am often amazed how consistent the fall flyfishing, is. Way too many choices.

I have been fishing and guiding the GR since the late eighties, so each year going back, is like visiting an old friend. I think I can speak for Mike and Jonathan: It's nice to be here..

Best of fishing,
Dennis, Mike & Jonathan
425 238 3537

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

Oct 3, 2004

Well, by the time you read this, Jonathan, Mike and I will be well entrenched on the Grande Ronde. We will be gone pretty much for the month. I will be sending updates to my wife, and fishing reports through my web master. Can't believe it is that time already.

If you didn't get on one of our 2004 3 day campouts. Be sure to check in. We do get cancellations from time to time. Just drop an email. Happy to have you join us.

As we left the North Sound waters.

Wow! Silvers are really hitting the beaches now, lower rivers too. Try and pink/white or a flor. green/white Clouser minnow......but keep them small.

Stilly steelhead is very consistent. Flies et al, are pretty much the same. Small and drab.
SRC are in the tribs and holding off the mouths. Very fine year for them. Watch for the SRC to get on the hatches......they don't all eat spiders.

Skagit has a ton of Silvers now. Dollies are pretty much up in the tribs. Watch for them to come bailing out, just before Thanksgiving.

Now that was a good idea!

The Tidewater Schools October 29 or 30 have gone over very well again. If you can't get in. We will also be doing our November combination schools, too. No dates set.

North Sound (Seattle north) river guide trips: Later October is a great time for a combination of salmon, Dollies, steelhead, and even SRC. We use both floating lines and sinktips to get it done.

Ahhh......another fine fall on the Ronde. Such is a guide's life.

Hey, if I you seeme out there, be sure to say hi.

Best of fishing,

Mike , Jonathan & Me.
425 238 3537

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

9/26/04

"Here today, gone to Maui"

As I have previously mentioned, I have spent the past week flyfishing the Skeena BC area for fall steelhead.

I would love to expound the accolades of our BC week, but the weather Gods were not with us and we found only marginal fishing along with half the flyfishing world flogging the one piece of water that refused to go out of shape.

To be very fair, I found the area anglers and guides to be very respectful. Not only do they have their rules of stream etiquette, they actually follow them.

It pretty much happens everywhere:
As the anglers start to out number the steelhead, there is always more guys struggling to get "first fish".

More and more river sleds to scoop early water, more and more guys abandoning floating lines & surface flies, trying to dredge up any fish they can find. We are still trying to catch a fish.
Perhaps it is because I just pay attention more now, but as we use the spey strokes with or Yancy rods and lines, I notice more now.

I know it sounds really pompous, and I am sorry for that but, I marveled not so much at how many guys who have gone to doublehanded rods, but how many were so bad at basic spey casting. You ever feel like you just want to go over and just help someone?

The upside:
As the week progressed, the waters dropped and cleared and as luck always happens, we had our best fishing day on our last day on the river.

I remember what Michael Fong said in a past flyfishing lecture.
"If you are not catching them here, don't think for a minute you will catch them in the destination waters, you still have to know how". Yes, such is steelhead.

Apples & oranges:
Are the BC waters better than our desert streams? Not a fair question. They are too different to compare. My advice? Fish both.

I managed to contact our guide Jonathan, to find out about his North Seattle river adventures. He has been guiding on the Stilly and the Skagit system.

Steelhead, Coho and a few late running Kings are the drill. The waters are dropping. He started his anglers swinging big marabou & leech patterns, but switched to nymphs and egg nymphing as the waters came down. J. says their success has been very good.

Mike spent the whole week in the Southwestern waters. He reports of doing very well early on, but as the waters were up due to high water, the Fall Chinook have pushed the steelhead out of the flats and tailouts. Fishing became tougher with the spawning Kings.

Egg sucking leeches & our Egg-Shuck are the working flies.
We all head over the Grande Ronde later this week, to ready for our October fishing.
Grande Ronde Campout $499.

I will be sending weekly fishing reports from the GR. in the coming weeks. My sweet wife has the dubious task of running the bookings. She can give you the status of our fishing, or trip availability in these campouts. Email works. Sorry, our campouts have become so popular with our anglers, we don't bother with daily guide trips on the Ronde.

Up and Coming:
We do have our Tidewater Schools October 29 or 30 which were postponed due to high waters earlier this month.

Fall fishing in the North Sound area is a special time, happy to talk about a November guide day.

Best of fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, and Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com
425 238 3537

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

9/19/04

"Just another day on the pond"

Man, you would think there isn't much going on this past week, with monsoon Mary going through.

A time of reflection:

As the rains continued to pour last week, it was evident I was washed out of my up coming river trips. Oh well, I would head to our private lakes the tomorrow. I took the rare opportunity to handle some Honey-do's around the house. So as I am burning the trash in the rain, I find myself moping over the loss of our Tidewater schools on the weekend. It dawns on me; Our south eastern seaboard is flattened and decimated by hurricanes and torrential rains, and I am worried about a few fishing trips.

"The man worried that he had no shoes, until he met the man, who had no feet".

Tidewater Schools October 29 or 30

The Skagit River has only marginal fishing conditions as we speak, but tons of fish and even more anglers are huddling around the Cascade River below the hatchery. Summer steelhead are there, but mostly it is a Silver salmon show.

These Coho are throughout the Skagit system, now.

North Fork Stilly: Out, but watch for a dry spell.

Skykomish River: Out, Ditto.

Mike's southwest streams are fishing well. The trick is finding a little separation. He and Jonathan have done very well.

"Steelhead can be fooled if you can show them something a little different." The best experience in freshwater is fishing surface flies. You would be amazed how well it works. Try it, when everybody else is throwing the book at them.

Grande Ronde Campout Oct 7 > 9 $499.

If you were looking for that perfect excuse to check out the Grande Ronde and you don't mind helping out a little around camp. We just had a late cancellation for two slots. Singles are welcome. Drop an email or call 360 299 2272. Ask for Jonathan.

A beauty Eh?

By the time you read this, I will be flying into some remote waters of the Skeena drainage, for my annual week, into BC. When the locals see me fishing a single handed 6wt., and a surface fly, they are always curious. Only the Tibor Everglade, gives it away. Twenty five years & a few thousand steelhead later. After some time, even a slightly burned out, Fisheries Biologist/Flyfishing Guide will set his own rules of engagement.

Mike is back to the southwest streams again. He is doing very well skating surface flies in the after hours. Totally cool.

Jonathan is up on the North Sound streams this week. He has the dubious duty of answering phone calls & emails while we are out of town.

I don't know what is better - heading up to Canada to chase more steelhead, or knowing that when I get back, we will be getting ready for another fall on the Grande Ronde. Ah, Life is good.

Best of fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, and Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com


For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

9/12/04

"You really don't want to fish there."

Did someone mention rain?

After the great deluge, our rivers have all peaked since yesterday, and on their way back down.
Mike & I can report some happy fishing on the North Fork Stilly, but with the silt load coming in at the slide below C-Post, the only decent fishing before the rain, was either in the upper river, or all the way down into the tidal waters below Silvana. After the rain. Nada.

Weather patterns: Wow, not looking good for the cowboys. Rivers are at saturation levels, which means: Any significant rains are going to make your rivers jump. Keep one eye on the weather Doppler and the other on the USGS river gages.

I look for poor bay fishing in the saltwater, because the fish will pull right into the rivers with the high waters. River conditions are up and down faster than the stock market, and the tributary fish is an October gig. Here is what I see:

Skagit: Upper river jumped to nearly 20,000 cfs. The Chinook are spawning now. I mentioned the Cascade River will have some good fishing above the bridge, but we need a dry spell. The Cascade will also be opening for the below the hatchery kill fishery so you might want to avoid that. Skagit Coho are in now. Egg patterns, and egg-sucking leeches for Coho and the Dollies are the drill.

Stilly & NF: Stilly was still trying to clear form the last clear from the last rain, and she gets hit again. Weather pattern is iffy at best. Upper North Fork will come in fastest, but don't over look the tributary mouths on both the North & South Forks as well as the mainstem Stilly, if the water clears. Both Coho and SRC will be working their way up the system now.

Tuff gig:
I like clean water for both tidewater Coho and SRC. Coho see the fly better, and SRC aren't feeding along the bottom, as if when the water is dirty.

Skykomish System:
The Sky also took it's jump but now back down to 3,640 cfs, as we speak. The early pulse of even year Humpies had their day, but now it is the ever-loving Wallace River non-biting Coho that runs the show. Don't dishearten. The bigger wild fish are on his heels and these fine biting bigger Coho will push right up into the forks. Follow your fishing regulations, please. Presentation is everything.

September is a fine month for the Olympic Peninsula streams. The never-ending theme is of course is watch those river flows. I always cringe a little when there is enough water for the locals to start running their hardbottoms, again. River attitude changes back to the winter kill mentality when the whack-em & stack-em starts up, again.

I guess the good news is, these guys don't mess with the SRC. The Bogey, Sol Duc & the Calawah rivers, all have fine populations of this underrated fish.

Up and coming:
Stilly Tidewater Schools: Sept. 17&18 Aborted?
Contact: 425 238 3537

Due to the weather patterns we will plan for the schools BUT, October 29, 30 & 31 would be the make-up dates if we get blown off. Please watch for an email from me sometime mid week, to announce if we can make this weekend or not. I will apologize in advance for making the proposed make up dates not until the end of October. Between our September trips and the

Grande Ronde campouts, we just don't have any weekends, in between.
Southwest Washington: Zig & Zag. Yeah, you really don't want to do this. Especially skating flies after hours. When everyone zigs......zag.

Jonathan just returned from a week in southwest Washington. Mike will be heading back down in a few days. It's that bad.

Fishing the early fall reminds of an episode that happened you me years ago on the Stilly North Fork. Read Eagles are like that.

Grande Ronde is only a few weeks away now. It is dry and dusty. Sure, the steelhead will rise surface flies, and scenery is stunning, but it is a long way, and you probably wouldn't like it. Nah, you don't want to go there, either.

Best of fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, and Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com

425 238 3537

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

9/05/04

"Must be fall"

The problem with the fall is we simply have too many options. Here are just a few.
Skagit: The Chinook are spawning now. Look for some lovely upriver (prespawn Dollies) heading up the major tributaries. The Cascade River above the bridge, has some dandy fishing, if you are willing to hike a little bit. Don't bother the kings, they have earned the rest.
Skagit Coho are coming now. Watch for the regs. changes, different than the pamphlet. Fish are already to the upper river. Looks like a good run is developing.

Try egg patterns, and egg-sucking leeches for the Dollies et al.

Stilly: Still trying to clear from the Sept 2 rain, look for both Coho and SRC working their way up the system now.

We have our own trick flies for the Coho, but I like hairwings like the Polar Shrimp, and the bigger spiders in orange and black, when the river has color. Getting it down, is not important to SRC, he covers the water column. Fish the Shady overhangs around the wood and rocks. If you are fishing below Silvana. You are going to be fishing tidal influence. I like the incoming tide, but the best time to fish, is when you can.

The upper river has some steelhead but.......I think Mike and Jonathan know everyone of them by name.

Skykomish System:

Great time to fish around the mouth of the Snoqualmie River. Awesome for SRC. All your breather patterns work. Try greaselining up around the Tolt River, for a surface rising steelhead. Surprisingly good in the after hours. A Crystal Caddis or a riffle hitched Lady Caroline is magic. Keep them small.

The Upper South Fork Sky has taken its fish. Lovely time to poke around. Money Creek to Baring is golden. You can fish with nymphs & bobbers, but it is a perfect time to swing flies in the surface. All will work, but again keep the patterns small. #6 > #10 is about right. The water is very clear up here, and the steelhead can see everything. Watch for rolling fish in the late evenings.

Lower Sky: Coho and SRC are doing the drill. Fishing from the Sultan River on down has fish.
Chinooks are spawning now, so again your egg combination series will be the ticket.

The Olympic Peninsula streams were no exception. Look for fine fishing around the Bogey and it's tribs, Sol Duc, and the upper Queets. All for summer steelhead, Coho, and SRC.
If you don't mind more climbing than hiking, the upper Quinault has some really cool canyon pools above the bridges.

Southwest rivers have been quietly getting it done all summer, so nothing new there.

Up and coming:

Stilly Tidewater Schools: Sept. 17&18 Perfect. Fish are coming nicely, classes looking good. I am tying some surface skaters as we speak. Neah Bay Coho killed them. What will Stilly tidewater Coho do?

Jonathan will spend the week in Southwest Washington. Mike & I are running gigs on the North Sound streams.

Fishing Politics:

Wild Steelhead 2 year moratorium defeated. If you were able to find a moral victory in reducing the kill, I am happy for you. Won't change anything. You know it, & I know it.

By now you have heard me talk about the wild Coho release of Neah Bay. Received some very interesting comments from around the region. Here's a letter from Miles, BC Ministry of Fisheries. (when I wrote my response the WDFW Commission hadn't ruled yet)

Yeah, but at least we are fishing!

The Grande Ronde campouts: We are asked about our GR campouts everyday. Here are the top seven questions:

So many choices, so little time.

Best of fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, and Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

8/29/04

"Locked & loaded"

Ok, it rained more than just a little. The week was a basic blow-out, as the river levels rose to nearly 20,000 cfs in some waters. Mike had some good fishing on the Stilly on it's way up. Look for both Coho & Searun Cutthroat along with your summer steelhead as the water subside. Tidewater to upper reaches, all will have moving fish.

Jonathan found the similar fishing conditions on his Olympic Peninsula gig. The Sockeye are waning but good numbers of Coho are pushing in now. SRC fishing will be outstanding. Use breather patterns such as the spider series, as well as Stimulators on the surface.
Spent some time on the private lakes last week, as the rivers were gone. That was fun. All the rivers are down and fishing should be good, with a fresh new look on the Skagit and the Skykomish rivers. If we hit another dry spell, look for good waiting period Coho in some Puget Sound bays. Fun, but very frustrating at times. Check out Flyfishing for Pacific Salmon.
Wild Steelhead 2 Year Moratorium:

First let me commend all those who took the time to email and send letters in behalf of the wild steelhead, and all us anglers who fish them. I know it is politically incorrect to project my views because there will always be those who take offense, but I will always defend the protection of the wild steelhead. The statewide two year moratorium is a great start.

I would like to think, my guides & I work hard at instilling good conservation, & river etiquette in our flyfishing schools, as well as guide trips. It really does take the voice of the village to make the change.

Our Tidewater Schools September 17 & 18 are getting close: (Two slots available each day).
My guides & I will be fishing locally until we finish the Tidewater School, before heading up to BC to fish the Skeena area.

The Grande Ronde campouts: Even though we chase steelhead throughout the year, it seems like I spend half my year reflecting upon the previous season, or anticipating the next. Can't believe we are that close to October, again. I guess it's time...

Wanted: An Outcast 1300 pontoon raft. If you have a line on one you can drop me a line or give me a call at: 425 238 3537

Forget Hawaii this winter? We have an awesome gig we have spent the last several years putting together in souther Mexico. Check out Mexico Bonefishing.

Oh, and remember, you don't have to book a trip to pick our brain, when it comes to flyfishing. We are happy to talk.

Best of fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, and Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

8/22/04

"Right on the money, Honey"

Just returned from a couple weeks out on the coast. Totally cool. Thanks to Mike and Jonathan for holding down the fort, answering emails and phone calls, fishing reports et al., while I been away....again. Many kudos to my good friend Gary L. for lending me his lovely Grady White while we played the salt for a while. Weather was wonderful, and fishing, amazing.

What a novel concept:
The State fisheries management for ocean silvers at Neah Bay is right on the money. Since the mass marking of Coho, (the commercials finally bent to it, screaming and shouting), wild fish are released, and marked hatchery fish can be retained. There are so many upsides to this fisheries management, it would take an entire article to go through them all. Things like; anglers still retaining a hatchery fish while the wild Coho continues his journey to spawn, more recreation, longer seasons meaning more jobs, more commerce. I could go on and on. Kudo's WDFW, you definitely got this one right.

Sad irony: Who would have ever thought that the salmon people would figure this out while our wild steelhead are hanging by thread? Go figure.

It's raining! Never thought I would be praying for that. This weather opens all kinds of doors.
Skagit: Water is being pushed. Had a lovely couple days chasing Dolly/Bulls as they migrate for their natal waters. Try fishing sculpin patterns, and small baitfish flies. Lots of fun. Rain will push both Coho and SRC into the rivers. Kings will start spawning, so egg patterns will start up.

Sauk: Let the waters settle and go back to your tributary fishing, big Bulls will be pushing up along side the wild rainbows.

Stilly: A day too early; So the other day, I am talking to Dad.(Grandpa to some) I just got back from Neah Bay. It is not like I didn't have a ton of things to catch up on. He calls. Wants to chase SRC down in the tidal waters. We decided to drop things and go fishing in the lower Stilly, maybe the cutthroat are in. He has this new fang-dangle pontoon raft thing with battery and trolling motor, I have my inflatable kayak.

I get this really great idea. I hook up my cell phone on my chest waders shoulder strap so I can receive in coming calls. Just like the Cops do, All I have to do is lean my head over and talk. Pretty cool. So I am casting my way down this river bank, floating along in my boat. Feeling pretty good about the phone. I have already, sorted out a couple up coming fishing trips with Jonathan, (my other fishing guide), worked out some details on a big Fisheries consulting project, that Josh and I head out to, later today, and my phone rings. Now after a couple calls with my phone hooked to my shoulder strap, I am thinking that might not be the safest place to keep the phone so I strap it to the bibs of my chest waders instead. I go back to fishing. My phone rings, I unhook it from the bibs. It is the guy from this outdoor TV show, he wants to shoot an episode on the Grande Ronde River, Me and my guys as featured guides. Looks pretty serious. So I lean my head over and assume the phone pinned from ear to shoulder position, and continue to cast......but I forgot to snap in the phone to my shoulder strap. Eric the producer and I are doing some serious tire kicking, as I am casually flipping my fly from the raft into the eddies and seams along to cut bank. A fish strikes. By reflex, I lift the rod into the fish, thus raising my head, and sending the cell phone, down my back, (heaven forbid it would land in the boat), bounces off the pontoon, and into the river. I torque my body so hard around just trying to grab the phone, I just about tipped my boat. I soon found two truths in the world.

A) cell phones don't float

B) Trying to later explain this episode to Eric the producer later of why I cut him off, was almost as hard as telling this fishing story to the cell phone company lady. You understand.

Oh well. I always look for the first significant rain after August 15 to push the Searuns into the river, and this is it! Coho are coming too. All river systems are locked and loaded. Might be a good time to read Searun Cutthroat tactics. Waiting period Silvers will assume the position. Steelhead rejuvenate and start heading back to home waters. Bottom line: Let the weather system pass, and head back out. It is a new game now.

Our Stilly Tidewater Searun Cutthroat & Salmon Sept 17 & 18 are filling fast. I apologize for only doing the two days. We are traveling a lot in September, so we couldn't slot as many days as I hoped.

Speaking of traveling: The October campouts on the Grande Ronde is the most popular gig we do. If you haven't received the 2004 itinerary yet, be sure to send in your $250 deposit so we can fill you in. I live for this one.

Best of fishing to you all,

Mike, Jonathan, and Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com
Cell # 425 238 3537

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

8/15/04

Another beautiful week in Washington. It is nice to comfortly wet wade. My waders leak anyways.

Dennis is still chasing salmon in the sound. They are doing great.

I have still been running back and forth from the O.P. to the local waters. Putting some time on the road. On the Sol Duc I did most of my damage in a hole that I would walk guys into in the evening. There are a few nice walk in spots on the lower part of the river. Sockeye and SRC's were the ticket. That is pretty much the key right now fishing at first light and last light. You can still catch fish during the day but it takes getting the fly a little closer to their noses.

I have been mostly walking in to spots on the local waters too. Spending some time clearing out some of the trails too, the vegetation is growing fast.

The local waters are holding a decent number of fish in the usual spots.

On the stilly I have seen sockeye, SRC's, steelhead, Kings and some really big Dollys. The fish are starting to see a few flies. It is time to start showing them something different. I have seen a few gear fishermen, guys using fly rods with spoons, and even those little white Styrofoam bait containers. It would be nice to see more enforcement on the N.F. Stilly.

On the Skagit we have seen some silvers already. There are kings around but they are hard to get to with the fly. Only a few steelhead are being caught.

The Sauk still is unfishable below the Suiattle. Above the Suiattle there is a little bit of visibility and a few fish around.

Here is a side note from the Wild Steelhead Coalition:

REQUEST FOR LETTERS! THE AUGUST 28 STEELHEAD
MORATORIUM HEARING IS FAST APPROACHING!

PLEASE HELP SAVE OUR WILD STEELHEAD! SEND OUT YOUR
LETTERS TO THE FISH & WILDLIFE COMMISSION. TELL THEM
THAT YOU WANT THE TWO-YEAR WILD STEELHEAD MORATORIUM
TO REMAIN IN PLACE! AT THIS TIME WE ARE ON THE BRINK
OF HAVING THE MORATORIUM REVERSED.
MAIL YOUR LETTERS TO:
Washington Fish & Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way North
Olympia, WA 98501-1091
OR E-MAIL:
Commission@dfw.wa.gov

Mailed letters have more weight then do email letters
so if you can take the time to type one out and mail
it in that would be great along with an email.

GET THOSE CAR POOLS ORGANIZED!
While letters are vitally important, being in
attendance at the Bremerton hearing on August 28 will
do even more for our cause. The City of Forks is
planning to bring a large contingent of people who
want the moratorium rescinded. We will need more
people than ever to meet this challenge.
If you plan to testify you will need to have a
copy of your testimony for each of the commissioners
and other officials who will be at the hearing. Even
if you do not plan to give testimony, your presence is
still imperative.

Thank you for your continued support.
Les Johnson, VP Communications
WILD STEELHEAD COALITION

Tidewater Searun Cutthroat & Salmon Sept 17 & 18 are our next flyfishing schools. Last year these single day classes filled early. Pretty popular. Cost $150/angler

See you on the water,

Mike, Jonathan, and Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

8/08/04

As Dennis is out salmon fishing in Neah Bay me and Jonathan have been fishing both the peninsula rivers and the local ones.

The fishing has been awesome out in the ocean for salmon. Dad's first day out he was boasting about doubles through out the day. Not sure if I'll get a chance to do it this year. The rivers have kept me busy. If you get the opportunity I would take it.

Just before Dennis went to Neah bay we fished the Sol Duc. We floated from our red raft. River was skinny but we didn't have to get out and pull too much. We mostly fished surface flies until we came to spots that were holding Sockeye. Very spooky fish and not too aggressive….until you hook into one - great fighters. Lots of bright fish, kinda fun to watch them in schools moving up the shallow rifles and onto the next pool. Dennis cornered a few fish off in about a foot of water and managed to time his fly right to hook into one long enough to blast down river and throw his fly. Sight fishing is so fun. Watching a fish follow your fly can make it hard not to be too trigger happy. Very fun river lots of character and we had it all to ourselves.
It was comforting to fish in the rain again - good thing I remembered my rain jacket. I was just expecting a sprinkle.

Friday's rain gave a small jump in our local rivers. Made for a very fishy day. The rain should get more of the SRC's to start moving into the rivers. The humpys in the Snohomish system should start popping their heads in the river too. We ran into a couple of them on the lower Stilly on the off year a couple years ago.

Tidewater Searun Cutthroat & Salmon Sept 17 & 18 are our next flyfishing schools. Last year these single day classes filled early. Pretty popular. Cost $150/angler

Life's short - wet a fly!

Mike, Jonathan, and Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

8/1/04


"Rain For Rent?"
After flyfishing for past some forty years, I have come to the conclusion we flyflingers are natural whiners. We complain if the water is too high, too low, too clear or too dirty.

Right now is a great time to hit those tributaries and alpine lakes you have waited all year to become fishable. I managed to get off of work early enough to fish the upper upper S. river the other day. The water was clear and cold. Air was fresh and cool. It felt good.

The sun was still out on the water, so I only made a feeble attempt at fish surface dries. Even though I was way the heck and gone, riverside foot prints preceded me everywhere. Several river crossing still brought little separation. I came upon a lovely little run that I remember a small wild steelhead that made short work of my trout rod a year ago, but today, I was trout fishing.
I set up with a two fly rig. Probably my favorite in the no hatch zone, is a beadhead Hares Ear as a dropper, and a PTN as the point. My strategy is simple. When the fish aren't looking up, I fish down. Surface fish are usually the most aggressive, and the first to get eliminated from the gene pool. Guys tend to fish the surface, only a few really nymph well. I was too tired from chasing steelhead all day, to tromp any farther in pursuit of virgin waters. Such is dealing with fishing pressure.

Too funny. Funny how we lock ourselves into modes. Here I am, working my way up a lovely run. Seems like every few casts I was into another fish. There was one large bright flash and a parted leader, but mostly it was tributary sized rainbow trout. Jeez......if Whitefish were suppose to be fun, I was having a ball.

Way too funny. I swear everytime I would hook another trout, I took off my deep rig, and try another surface dry. Stimulators, Wulfs, parachutes, and even cripples. Nothing was doing. I would put the "worm rig" back on and "Whack", I am into another fish. I ended up leaving it on. Sometimes you just want another fish.

I finally finished at the head of that run and I come across a pretty little run further upstream, I call the "Log Jam" pool. (As if every corner in every western stream didn't have large woody debris.) In Fisheries, we term it as LWD.

Anyway, it's a short little run which drops quickly into a deep swirly pool. Big fish water. I cast my little rig in there just kind of enjoying the drift I was getting, and the line stops. I lift. At first I thought it was fish, (that's why I set), then I thought it was sunken sweeper, and the next second, a Chinook hen above 15 pounds comes completely out of the water, tail dancing across the logs and pool. In the corner of her jaw (she was only about 20 feet away) was one of my two little nymphs.

All I could say was "Oh oh....."
Zzzzzz went the Tioga and the 4x parted. Hmmm, I decided, thats a good time to go home. Such is life on a mountain stream.

Jonathan has been chasing steelhead, Dollies, SRC and a few salmons out on the coast. He says we need more water. Oh really? Fishing was decent.

Mike and I have been staying pretty local. He has been fishing well on the Stilly, while I have spent time in the upper local watersheds. I did catch my first SRC of the summer. Time to start playing the tides in lower estuary waters. If you are new to saltwater beaches, you really ought to try it. At first you will think it is way different than your stream fishing, but if you will fish your tides as you would a river seam, it is closer than you think. Some day I will write about adventures of beach fishing, I really enjoy it.

On the Political Front: I don't have to expound my views on wild steelhead moratorium. If you have followed my writings anytime in the past 5 years, that is pretty obvious. Wether you consider the WDFW part of the problem or solution. I will let you be the judge of that. This is what Steve and Ken, close friends and clients had to say about the gig.

Tidewater Searun Cutthroat & Salmon Sept 17 & 18 are our next flyfishing schools. Last year these single day classes filled early. Pretty popular. Cost $150/angler

So there you have it.

You can't be fishing if you are not fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, and Dennis www.flyfishsteelhead.com

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

7/25/04

"Wow! Where do I start?"

Mike & Jonathan have been fishing the Skykomish and Stilly waters this week. Mine has mostly been over on the Skagit drainage.

New Zealand trout hunting:

I still have to say the North Fork Stilly, has taken top honors this week. The steelhead are potted up now. That rain that was suppose to happen last week, never came. The fish are still takable (is that a word?) but guides have had to change tactics to move them.

When I first move onto a pool, if I figure we are the first anglers through, I will often put my first guy on a surface fly. This is that time of year if you can "show them something different" you can often fool a steelhead. So few anglers have confidence in fishing the surface, the results can be amazing.

I am reminded of an episode about fishing a fine gentleman last summer from out-of-state. This whole steelhead thing was pretty new. Bottom line, George had never done it before.
Anyway, so I tell him it is a little like his experience trout fishing big Browns in New Zealand. He started crouching before we even came close to the water. Now this Stilly N.F. pool, was up near French Creek. These are primarily hatchery steelhead, and they are not suppose to rise.

I positioned him above the pool, riffle-hitched his waker, and started his fishing up in the fast and turbulent head of the this little run. I remember the water was rushing so loud, I was literally talking in his ear, for him to hear me. I kept telling George that whatever happens, no matter how big the splash, don't set the hook. Let the steelhead barb himself.

On about his forth cast, I am already thinking, "OK, if we don't move a fish, lets set up for sinktip and"....... all of a sudden this lovely eight pound hen, jumps two feet in the air, does a half gainer, and comes right down on the fly. Hits it perfectly. We were both in such shock, (I have seen this move one other time, ten years ago on the Wenatchee), George does the one very thing he should do......nothing, and the line snaps up tight.

I simply say, "He's on."

George lifts the rod, the steelhead goes crazy, and the rest is history. Oh Yeah. He landed the fish.
Needless to say, all George wanted to do for the rest of that day was wake flies through roily heads of pools. Such is steelhead flyfishing. Show them something different.

Rivers are down now.

Stilly: Water is low. Water is off color below the Slide, gin clear above. This is what Willie had to say about his Stilly day. Won't be long before we will be looking for Searun Cutthroat in the lower river. I watch for the first significant rain after August 15. Stilly tidewater will start pushing fish. Try fishing the incoming tide, when the light is off the water. Mornings are good, evenings are better, and dark days, the best.

Summer steelhead have settled in the North Fork now. A rain would be nice. Such is life along the Stilly. We catch all times of the day.

Skykomish River: Early season, I generally fish low from Monroe to Sultan, as water levels drop, I move up from High Bridge down to Sultan. Now is time to start exploring up in the forks. Really cool water. All your summer time techniques will work here.

Skagit System:

Sauk is puking below the Suiattle, marginal below the Whitechuck, and falling in nicely up above. Little early for the Dolly/bull arrival, but there is enough going on to make it interesting. resident trout and an occasional summer wild steelhead is the gig.

Upper Skagit is fishing well. The Kings are doing their thing, Dollies are sneaking up, and resident trout are found in the upper watershed.

Guys are asking when we are going to be conducting another steelhead school. As we will be tied up flyfishing the saltwater & fresh, of the Olympic Peninsula, through the month of August, our next north sound steelhead classes will be held in mid September. Summer Steelhead /
Searun Cutthroat will be the topic. More on that as we get closer.

If the Grande Ronde is in your October plans, its time.

Best of fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, & me. flyfishsteelhead.com

Questions? 425 238 3537

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

7/18/04

"Back in the saddle, again."

Well, life has settled in since the western state road trip.

Mike & Jonathan have been fishing the Skykomish and Stilly waters while I have been away. All three of us have been back to guiding early in the week.

I would have to say the North Stilly has taken top honors this week. The river took a pulse of both wild Deer Creek native steelhead and Fortson bound hatchery fish in the last few days. If the action continues, look for the best action from Deer Creek confluence downstream, Hazel, (above the slide), and the skinny water fishing in the Fortson-French Creek area.

You are going to need to change up your tactics, depending on which section you choose. The lower river fish will hit about anything from surface flies (Crystal Caddis) to Woolley Worms. The water visibility is only moderate, but the fish don't care, in fact it kinda helps with the bright and sunny days we have been having.

The Hazel fish are also seeing fishing pressure, but the water is low and gin clear so fishing early and late are good, longer lighter tippets are better, and time to move to smaller flies. Dead drifting nymphs are excellent if you are good at it. Keep your colors somber, fish have seen all the fancy stuff.

Fortson Fish are Fortson fish. I don't spend much time here, but it has some fish. Think spring creek, It is the guy who can show him something different, who will get the bite.
If we get a river rise in this change of weather, we are hoping for more fish.

Searun Cutthroat are playing along the beaches. Early fish will be playing the tides. Is it really that time already? Read my article on Searun Cutthroat tactics.

Jonathan is the hot hand so far. Last I heard he and his clients have accounted for some 16 steelhead to hand already this summer. Kudos.

Mike has done surprisingly well on the Skykomish, but I think they have accounted for as many chinook as they have steelhead. The water has warmed and floating lines are working, especially for the wild fish headed for the forks. Contact WDFW about their trucking steelhead above the falls.

Had a lovely day on the Skagit the other day. Hatchery chinook are headed for the Cascade River. Pink & white marabous are the drill, but you can't keep them. Dollies are kind of in between migrations right now, but we did handle some to 23". Bull Trout?

The Sauk gets a wonderful run of Dolly/Bulls (heck, I don't even know what the call them anymore) but both the Sauk and the Suiattle are in full snow melt, and as the Suiattle is a glacial stream, it is running the color of a puke brown. Clear Creek area and above is good later this summer.

Boys are telling me it is time to be heading back over to the Olympic Peninsula. I am all over that. As the coho of Neah Bay apparently have already made their onslaught, looks like the coast will be hopping. Come on rain!

I never got a chance to thank all the guys who joined us on our Stilly Floating Lines Steelhead Schools. Good times for sure. If you haven't gotten your lecture notes by this weekend, just give me a holler, I am probably having a presenior moment. For those who were interested in the Grande Ronde Steelhead this fall, better contact me now.

Best of fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, & Dennis flyfishsteelhead.com
1 888 435 6499
Cell 425 238 3537

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

7/11/04
" Road trip?"

First let me say how much I appreciate Mike for handling all the emails and phone calls for the past two weeks, as well as Jonathan for last week's fishing report.

Me? My wife and I have spent the past 14 days traveling & fishing our way down to a family reunion in Utah and back. Went something like this:

Our first stop was in the Wise River area on my favorite "Big Hole River", Montana. Water was running moderate. PMD's were hatching spastically throughout the day, and Caddis that evening. Weather was unsettled, dry fly fishing was poor. Nymphs were OK but the beadhead soft hackle, Olive Willie just crushed them that evening. I caught a bunch of rainbows and browns but the fish were smaller this year. Only a few in the 20 inch range.

Next stop was Swan Valley, South Fork Snake River, Idaho. Hatches were golden stones, and PMD's. Great surface action, especially in the riffles. Rainbows, cutthroat, and browns were the gig. Fishing was great last year, even better this year. Trout to 23". Wonderful surface action. Can't say enough. Pretty much a boat show.

Provo River: Weird. I fished the Artificial Only section above Sundance. First time on the water, so at first I just poked around. There was anglers upstream and more guys downstream. Rafters were coming through every two minutes. I am not used to guys coming up and fishing twenty feet away. I am also used to wiley browns being put down by any shadow or even a bad cast. I soon realized if these fish stopped feeding every time a boat went over them......they would never eat!

It took a bit to figure the BWO hatch but the Provo brags of 5,000 fish per mile, and now I don't doubt it a bit. I only fished a 100 yard stretch over the next 4 hours but I handled some 30 fish, all browns, and the largest were pushing in the mid twenties! (Inches). A tiny PTN 4 feet under a Club Sandwich was the ticket. Tons a of people but yet the fish........weird.
Did the family reunion gig, which was fun. Past the Logan River, again, but the crowds were insufferable. Didn't even stop.

Ended up back in Montana, and fished the Beaverhead outside of Dillon for a day. Very cool. Undercut banks, riffles, pools and eddies were all holding fish. No pushovers here, but the trout were there and some were big. I lost a large brown that ate in a riffle then ran all the way up into the next pool, and broke me well into the backing. Totally cool fish. I decided these guys are way too big for this little stream!

Spent the next morning on the Clarks Fork above Missoula Montana, but not much happening so we beat feet for Rock Creek.

We fished the afternoon to evening in the middle section. Found some quiet water but the surface action was spotty even though the Sally Stones and PMD's were coming off well. My brother Rob and I went to the dropper system and found some lively action in the deeper faster riffles. Rainbows were the drill but the big fish eluded us. Too much fishing pressure but the backdrop is just stunning.

I was drooling as we drove through Lolo pass along the Bitterroot River and then the Lochsha but I guess there is always next year, right?

Back at home:

Mike & Jonathan have been splitting time between the Skagit, Stilly and Skagit Rivers. Steelhead, and Kings are the gig.

Coming up:
We got guide trips through the week and the North Fork Steelhead School on the weekend. I guess I am home.

Mike, Jonathan, & Dennis flyfishsteelhead.com

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

7/5/04

"Things are heating up"

Summer is definitely in full swing and fishing is just getting better. The cooler days of June are giving way to the warmer days of July. Rivers are on the drop as the remnants of the snow pack melts away and things settle in for the remainder of the summer season.

Dennis is chasing trout in Montana, Idaho and Utah while Mike and I have been fishing local streams. Dennis will be back just in time for our North Fork Steelhead School coming up around the corner.

Mike has been busy on the Skykomish River and private lakes. Mike reports that the fishing has been pretty decent for hatchery summer steelhead and kings. The kings are definitely making a good showing. Mike says that while he has had to work hard to get his clients into summer steelhead, he has managed to find them on almost every trip. The numbers of them in the river are not quite what he would like to see but still worth the effort. Mike has been finding some Kings willing to tangle with a fly as well, which has made for some pleasantly surprised clients. The water is starting to get low and has been running pretty clear on the Sky.

I have found myself guiding and fishing the Skagit and North Fork Stilly. The Skagit River has plenty of kings and Dollies/Bull around. The Baker River is starting to get Sockeye as well. Fishing above the Sauk has been inconsistent due to all the run off being released. When water levels have been down we have managed to have some good days for large Dollies/Bull but have then followed those days with slow ones when the levels rise. The dams continue to release lots of water making the usually clear water above the confluence of the Sauk very undependable. At times, the water levels have been all over the place making fishing the fly a little tricky. The river levels will hopefully settle down soon and things should improve.

The Sauk River is in full run-off right now limiting the visibility in the Skagit below it to pretty much non-existent. As is, the Sauk River below the Suiattle River is not a viable factor this summer for fishing.

The NF Stilly has gotten a shot of summer hatchery steelhead recently. Last week I fished a few spots above Deer Creek that produced several chrome bright 3 salt fish that gave me all I could handle. Should only get better here with the arrival of the 2 salts fast approaching. Visibility has contiued to improve below Deer Creek with the Hazel slide being the remaining culprit to any major turbidity in the water.

North Fork Steelhead School : July 16 &17

We are looking at another fun class, this year. If you have never taken a top water steelhead before (or any fly caught steelhead
for that matter), come join us for a day. There are still openings available for both dates. Love to see you out there!

Top Summer Pick: No question - Neah Bay surface fishing for ocean Coho. Reports are fish are showing already! August is hot.
Top Fall Pick: Grande Ronde Steelhead in October. Surface fishing at its best.

Dennis, Mike and I are looking forward to getting back over to the OP later in the month, July 20th thru August 15th. Chasing summer steelhead in rivers and salmon in the ocean...what a gig! Ask us about it.

Have a great week and best of fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, & Dennis flyfishsteelhead.com

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

6/27/04

"On the road again"

We have been all full of hustle and bustle this last week. I am tring to get ready for a two week road trip. Mike & Jonathan are minding the shop while I am out.

This year we will start our fishing in Idaho, and fish on down to the Big Hole River in Montana. Read Big Hole Browns, We leave there to spend a couple days fishing the Stonefly hatch on the South Fork of the Snake in Swan Valley. From there I am off to Jackson Hole and poke around some spring creeks, and finally end up in Bear Lake Utah. I am hoping to hit the upper Green, but that may be a stretch. Do a family reunion thing, and meet guys fishing my way back home. That ought to cover my trout addiction for a while.

Back to Last week:
Mike finally had a blank day on the Sky. It was one of those times, where there was someone in every pool he wanted to fish. Such is life as a guide day. He has been doing very well, but then he is good at it.

Just when it was coming in:

The Sauk and Skagit are in full runoff now.

The Skagit jumped to 13000 cfs (California must have turned on the air conditioning)
Steelheading has been spotty, but there are plenty of kings moving, if you bump into one of those, and the Dolly/Bull just seem to keep on clicking. Egg-sucking leeches seem to work well, but you will need to let the water settle again. Creek mouths and soft current seams are ticket.

The Sauk River is gone: Major runoff here. It has been so cold, the snow melt has just broke loose.

Too funny: Everytime we get more than two days of sunshine in a row, the weatherman, is calling for drought conditions. Today it is raining.....again. Go figure.

North Fork Stilly:
Jonathan and I fished it the other day. I was experimenting with a new version of our surface skater. He was playing with a sinktip. I had to meet a guy later that day ,so I couldn't stay long. Apparently he hit a nice summer steelhead in the middle river that evening. Reports are so-so at best but it is still early season.

The Hazel slide continues to do it's nasty but Deer Creek is running clear, so the water below Oso is looking good. Both wild & hatchery fish are coming so the tradionaly start of July 4, should be on the money.

The good news is we saw a ton of hatchery smolts going out that day on the Stilly. Then it hit me. We have't seen many hatchery smolts for the last two years. Hmmm...looks like they are back.

North Fork Steelhead School: July 16 &17
My apologies for any confusion on the dates. We are looking at another fun class, this year. I consider surface steelhead flyfishing to be the best freshwater flyfishing experience I know. If you have never taken a top water steelhead before (or any fly caught steelhead
for that matter), come join us for a day. I will have Jonathan post any available openings next weekend.

Speaking of WDFW: I am fortunate enough to be on their newsletter survey. I get their blurp about the proposed two year wild steelhead retention moritorium. You talk about about a bush league blatent push to over turn the Wildlife Comission decision. Gee Game Department boys, why not tell us how you really feel? I have said it before, the wild fish release anglers can probably fight straight up against the lobby of the fish killers, but not the Whackers and the not so quiet WDFW, backing them, too. Welcome to reality.

Skykomish River is probably fishing too well. Waters are in, and a few steelhead are showing, but the Kings are coming in good numbers. Try fishing in off colors like Black & white, or Blue & Purple.

Top Summer Pick: No question - Neah Bay surface fishing for ocean Coho. Reports are fish are showing already! August is hot.

Top Fall Pick: Grande Ronde Steelhead in October. Surface fishing at its best.

Release them gentley, your kids will appreciate you for it.

Best of fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, & Dennis Flyfishsteelhead.com
1 888 435 6499

Best of fishing,

Mike, Jonathan, & Dennis flyfishsteelhead.com

For information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information

6-20-04

"Just when you thought it was safe to get back into the water"

A busy guide week for sure. Waters on both the north sound streams and the Olympic Peninsula are down and fishable. King salmon, summer steelhead, Searun Cutthroat and Dolly are the players.

Mike has spent most of his guide week on the Skykomish River. Doing well on sinktips and winter patterns such as marabous & egg-sucking leeches. He has new version of the blue/purple in a string leech that he really likes. Both Highbridge to Sultan and Sultan to Monroe sections of the Sky, are holding fish.

Jonathan & I have been on the upper Skagit. Surface fishing was great......until the dam people decided to release a ton of water. Then it became a sinktip show. This what