Sauk/Skagit open for CnR 2/1

Thanks Curt. I know it was definitely going by 94. I enjoyed living in Monroe from 94 to 2003.
It was only 15 minutes from my front door to casting in my favorite run. Catching a fresh winter fish on a warm sunny April day with the smell of alder and cottonwood pollen in the air is about as good as it gets!

Glad the numbers are looking better this year. For the Skagit anyway.
 
Thanks Curt. I know it was definitely going by 94. I enjoyed living in Monroe from 94 to 2003.
It was only 15 minutes from my front door to casting in my favorite run. Catching a fresh winter fish on a warm sunny April day with the smell of alder and cottonwood pollen in the air is about as good as it gets!

Glad the numbers are looking better this year. For the Skagit anyway.
I caught my first fish on a two hander on the Sky in March, Ben Howard boat launch - fished that system a lot in the early/mid 90's - great river, with the Nooksack open, and the Skagit and Sauk - it made for an enjoyable day on any of those systems. I think it closed down for fishing in '97 or '98 it's been so long, I really don't remember
 
Where’s the report gentlemen? Someone has to have a fish story to share.
Some people are better fish whisperers than others. Based upon your first fish of the year posting, you are light years ahead of me. That said, I got out before the monsoons yesterday and had a good time.

Not a bump, mind you, but it wasn't busy at all for a Friday....think I only had 3 boats float past and saw one other wader in 4 or 5 hours.(y)

The pup gotta harass some geese and dine on some fine stream side vittles

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I found my micro spikes that somehow came off my boot during my last outing

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and thanks to my new anti cougar mask, I didn't get eaten by a mountain lion

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pretty much a win/win I'd say ;)
 
Is DOGE gonna close our season? Big cuts coming to nearly all agencies involved in ESA listings.

For example, the EPA-
"The president announced in a Cabinet meeting that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin planned to cut 65 percent of that agency’s staff, although the White House said in a later statement that the president meant he wanted to cut 65 percent of spending, not workers. Whether the cuts are ultimately aimed at staff or spending, the administration appears eager to significantly downsize that agency."

I don't like politics and am a big proponent of the government spending MY money wisely, but holy cow. 65%??Not sure what this will mean for anadromous fishing. Easiest thing to do when there's no $$ is just close it.
 
Floated late last week, absolutely beautiful weather, but tough fishing. No takes in two full day floats.

Feeling very fortunate that’s it’s become my new home water, the views never disappoint.
 

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I haven’t had a bump in quite a while….but that’s not necessarily out of the ordinary for me🤪

I’ve been out at least once a week for the extended season. I’ve been contacted twice by ( for lack of better words) a WDFW freshwater creel checker.

Is that information published somewhere? (Like the salt water creel reports). I’d like to see how many are actually being caught/encountered.
 
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Laid eyes on a 40" steelhead yesterday.
I was supposed to go up there yesterday with Chris Senyohl but hurt my back earlier in the week. Had to cancel.
Very bummed!! Gonna try to get up there in the next week or so.
Would love to see a fish that size in person.
 
I was supposed to go up there yesterday with Chris Senyohl but hurt my back earlier in the week. Had to cancel.
Very bummed!! Gonna try to get up there in the next week or so.
Would love to see a fish that size in person.
Ill probably be up there on Wednesday..
 
I was up there this past week M-Thurs. A truck in most pull outs even midweek. WA, MT, ID, OR plates. 3-5 driftboat trailers at HMSP take out each day. At least a couple sleds up and down the river. Few fish. Should improve as we move into April (the catching).
 
You guys don't even know what you're talking about. It hasnt been crowded mid week, you're just seeing mine and @M_D s trucks out there while we aggressively chase skunks! There are no steelhead in the river, but it does smell like shit!

In reality the mornings have been an absolute shit show 7 days a week but once the pimps clear the river (3-4 hours back home!) its not half bad.
 
It wasn't too crowded Friday morning, but I think that's because all the boats hadn't made it down to where I was fishing. In the afternoon we waited at the top of a run for two other guys to finish and leave. I saw 5 guys across the river on one bar, reminiscent of the old days on Sauk Bar. The difference being that I'd follow those 5 and figure I still had a decent chance to hook a fish.
 
Curious what the water clarity / color is with temperatures warming up. The Snoqualmie is high near Duvall and looks like a mocha in color! I'm planning on going up on Wednesday, probably for the Sauk, haven't decided for sure! TIA!
 
Curious what the water clarity / color is with temperatures warming up. The Snoqualmie is high near Duvall and looks like a mocha in color! I'm planning on going up on Wednesday, probably for the Sauk, haven't decided for sure! TIA!
You're fucked.
 
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