Everett Washington best steelhead Rivers for beginners / Skykomish Hwy2
- Thread starter Fomoco1649
- Start date
There's still good fishing to be had, if nothing's what it used be, but for obvious reasons, it gets better the further you get from Puget Sound, where all the people are. (Puget Sound itself is the noted exception, but without a boat, access severely limits your options.)
I showed up in 1999, and there were a few years between then and 2005 that I would consider very good, with lots of open water, lots of open logging roads that provided a lot more access, and at least a few more fish available everywhere. Since then, the logging roads got gated, misguided "conservation" orgs and chronically negative budgets have pushed WDFW to the point where they can't produce as many hatchery fish (where they're still allowed to), and treaty tribes have decided they don't want us on their rivers anymore (hard to blame them really, and they have casino money to buy the influence needed to get us out). And oh... the habitat that was already significantly degraded in 1999 is in even worse shape now, and commercial harvest continues to be WDFW's only priority, so wild fish runs continue to decline.
Despite it all, fish are amazing survivors, we do still have cool fish swimming in cool places, and in some cases, we can even still catch some. Gotta get out there to catch fish, and if you're willing to learn new fisheries or target different sub-species, you can still have a great day out.
We're also within reasonable driving distance for weekend road trips to neighboring states with good to legendary trout fisheries, and even some good opportunities for steelhead. Not local, but not entirely inaccessible.
Finally, as we've been joking, local spiny ray fishing can provide an occasional distraction, but the fish numbers and quality aren't great in most places. Head East a bit and there are some quality bucketmouth opportunities....
I showed up in 1999, and there were a few years between then and 2005 that I would consider very good, with lots of open water, lots of open logging roads that provided a lot more access, and at least a few more fish available everywhere. Since then, the logging roads got gated, misguided "conservation" orgs and chronically negative budgets have pushed WDFW to the point where they can't produce as many hatchery fish (where they're still allowed to), and treaty tribes have decided they don't want us on their rivers anymore (hard to blame them really, and they have casino money to buy the influence needed to get us out). And oh... the habitat that was already significantly degraded in 1999 is in even worse shape now, and commercial harvest continues to be WDFW's only priority, so wild fish runs continue to decline.
Despite it all, fish are amazing survivors, we do still have cool fish swimming in cool places, and in some cases, we can even still catch some. Gotta get out there to catch fish, and if you're willing to learn new fisheries or target different sub-species, you can still have a great day out.
We're also within reasonable driving distance for weekend road trips to neighboring states with good to legendary trout fisheries, and even some good opportunities for steelhead. Not local, but not entirely inaccessible.
Finally, as we've been joking, local spiny ray fishing can provide an occasional distraction, but the fish numbers and quality aren't great in most places. Head East a bit and there are some quality bucketmouth opportunities....
it's not just steelhead on a particular river...recently chatted with a guide who has been in fishing the lakes and rivers of eastern Oregon for decades, who could not name a single body of water that provides the same quality fishery that it was in previous decades.
I witnessed the average size and run numbers of King's returning to several fave Oregon coast rivers significantly decrease from 2006 to 2019, a period in which I was fishing those rivers 50 days a year.
The average size of Cranebows in Crane Prairie has significantly shrunk. When I first started fishing it decades back a 5# on the line was just a healthy fish, today it is a trophy. The volcano lakes are no different, whereas they still put out fish, their size and numbers are reduced as well from previous decades.
For causality we can point fingers at those we think are primarily responsible for maintaining fisheries, the decisions made in budget offices instead of by fish biologists, etc, etc, but that's not the root cause.
Ever invite a bunch of folks over to the house for a rocking party and then wake up the next morning and look around at the wall to wall mess, and spend the entire day cleaning it up? What would the condition of the house be if instead of cleaning it up you just invited more people over night after night?
It'd be in the same condition that 8 billion plus folks are continually inflicting onto a rapidly shrinking rock.
I witnessed the average size and run numbers of King's returning to several fave Oregon coast rivers significantly decrease from 2006 to 2019, a period in which I was fishing those rivers 50 days a year.
The average size of Cranebows in Crane Prairie has significantly shrunk. When I first started fishing it decades back a 5# on the line was just a healthy fish, today it is a trophy. The volcano lakes are no different, whereas they still put out fish, their size and numbers are reduced as well from previous decades.
For causality we can point fingers at those we think are primarily responsible for maintaining fisheries, the decisions made in budget offices instead of by fish biologists, etc, etc, but that's not the root cause.
Ever invite a bunch of folks over to the house for a rocking party and then wake up the next morning and look around at the wall to wall mess, and spend the entire day cleaning it up? What would the condition of the house be if instead of cleaning it up you just invited more people over night after night?
It'd be in the same condition that 8 billion plus folks are continually inflicting onto a rapidly shrinking rock.
I suspect bass fishermen would tell a different story....
I know, I know. I'm mostly being a smartass.
fair point...I know a fly fisherman on Crane who targets bass in the SE cove where they tend to hang as much as he targets bow's in the rest of the lake, and often does better on bass. Will likely give it a go myself next season.
As it is, the 'good old days' are right now, today...it's best we get in this life
Well before 2000. The mid to late 80s were the most recent in peak returns, with some good years in the 90s as well. The highest peaks before that were in the 50s and 60s.
Mukman
Life of the Party
Rick,
As you have no doubt surmised, the subject of steelhead fishing in Western WA (or all of WA for that matter) raises high emotions on this forum. Emotions are: anger, frustration, resignation, but ultimately sorrow. If you have taken the time to read the posts to your rather straightforward question, you see them all. Additionally, because of the scarcity of any fish at all, anyone on this forum would understandably be reluctant to share where said rare fish are.
Western WA is a beautiful place, and your son will have fun wandering the many blue lines on the map. But, if he’s targeting steelhead specifically, it will be a fool’s errand.
Finally, thank you for your son’s service. Many of us understand the sacrifice that families of service members make. Godspeed to him and your family.
Fomoco1649
Just Hatched
Corrupt politicians…traitors
Fomoco1649
Just Hatched
Thank you….sounds Like the truth, Southern Oregon still pretty good & Northern California
Well I have been lurking on this site for a while now, but reading this thread brings back memories.
I lived in North Bend for 20 years starting in the late 80's. Completely new to salmon and steelhead fishing as I moved from the east coast. What fun it was learning how to fish for steelhead in the rivers and salmon in the sound. You could fish almost anywhere in the sound you wanted to year round and the rivers were for the most part wide open to fishing. In December my biggest dilemma was should I fish for blackmouth or steelhead?
In June I'd fish the Sky right below the Cracker Bar. I had a job that allowed me some flexibility in my hours, so I'd be walking in at about 0500 just as it was getting light and fish until 7-8 AM. I always threw spinners, which is why I was below the Cracker Bar, you could not fish them up there as you'd snag the drift fishermen's stuff. There were always about a half dozen of them on the bar.
What great fish those summer runs were, 6-10 lb. hatchery fish of course, hard fighters, getting 3 feet of air at times when hooked.
Sorry to see it has all changed for the worse. I used to hope that maybe the restoration efforts would work, and maybe they will, but not in my lifetime (I'm 68).
I've been in Arkansas for 17 years. We do have some pretty good tailwater trout fisheries below some of the dams, but no salmon or steelhead. I'm mostly a bass fishermen now and get my big fish kicks everyone in a while when I catch a striper.
I lived in North Bend for 20 years starting in the late 80's. Completely new to salmon and steelhead fishing as I moved from the east coast. What fun it was learning how to fish for steelhead in the rivers and salmon in the sound. You could fish almost anywhere in the sound you wanted to year round and the rivers were for the most part wide open to fishing. In December my biggest dilemma was should I fish for blackmouth or steelhead?
In June I'd fish the Sky right below the Cracker Bar. I had a job that allowed me some flexibility in my hours, so I'd be walking in at about 0500 just as it was getting light and fish until 7-8 AM. I always threw spinners, which is why I was below the Cracker Bar, you could not fish them up there as you'd snag the drift fishermen's stuff. There were always about a half dozen of them on the bar.
What great fish those summer runs were, 6-10 lb. hatchery fish of course, hard fighters, getting 3 feet of air at times when hooked.
Sorry to see it has all changed for the worse. I used to hope that maybe the restoration efforts would work, and maybe they will, but not in my lifetime (I'm 68).
I've been in Arkansas for 17 years. We do have some pretty good tailwater trout fisheries below some of the dams, but no salmon or steelhead. I'm mostly a bass fishermen now and get my big fish kicks everyone in a while when I catch a striper.
Howdy all,
Just a quick keeping-the-peace admin reminder since I pruned a couple of posts here...
I know that this stuff stirs up the blood in many of us. We all wish our PNW fisheries were better than they are and it's frustrating. But let's all do our best to talk about it without taking a dump on other folks. This site is mostly a refuge from the political/cultural wars that infect the rest of the internet. But fishing/hunting governance is one of the few on-topic areas where it's tough to avoid the political aspect.
But we still ask everyone to do so in a chill way. I'm super interested in hearing what everyone thinks about these issues and what specifically could be done to improve them. I'm not all interested in hearing insults about who anyone blames or hates. That kind of thing just turns this place into Twitter. And Twitter sucks ass.
As always, this applies to everyone across the political spectrum. "Trump Humpers" insults are no more welcome than "Libtards" ones are. We're equal opportunity "good vibes" enforcement around here.
Just a quick keeping-the-peace admin reminder since I pruned a couple of posts here...
I know that this stuff stirs up the blood in many of us. We all wish our PNW fisheries were better than they are and it's frustrating. But let's all do our best to talk about it without taking a dump on other folks. This site is mostly a refuge from the political/cultural wars that infect the rest of the internet. But fishing/hunting governance is one of the few on-topic areas where it's tough to avoid the political aspect.
But we still ask everyone to do so in a chill way. I'm super interested in hearing what everyone thinks about these issues and what specifically could be done to improve them. I'm not all interested in hearing insults about who anyone blames or hates. That kind of thing just turns this place into Twitter. And Twitter sucks ass.
As always, this applies to everyone across the political spectrum. "Trump Humpers" insults are no more welcome than "Libtards" ones are. We're equal opportunity "good vibes" enforcement around here.
fatbillybob
Steelhead
That's amazing and sad! I have only fished in the pnw a few times as there is so much water in our country. I've been lucky in the pnw but it has been 10-15 years since I have been. I do an annual fall norcal trip and I am never shut out. This year my best day was 6 steel swinging a two hander. It's hard to believe fishing steel in cali beats the pnw. It can't be true.
the_chemist
Life of the Party
Yes back when they use to plant the sultan and pilchuck with fish.
Lol, I had done that for a couple of years on a couple of Oregon coastal streams...15 years ago, not 30, but I recall the fishing in these spots to be insanely good.
Thanks for reminding me how old I am.
Holy crap, I just realized I was younger then than my oldest son is now. Somebody slow this train down!!
I’d be ok letting Bob Fergburger get that state income tax going if he’ll restart the S. Fork Sky summer run hatchery.
We need hatchery reform and habitat improvement simultaneously, or we won’t be fishing in WA for steelhead in the near future.
I firmly believe our population and culture is the problem. We used to be a bastion of outdoor culture; now it’s all “12th man” and tech (we’re past startups, it’s tech overlords now) startups with a side of “isn’t Mt. Rainier pretty today”.
We need hatchery reform and habitat improvement simultaneously, or we won’t be fishing in WA for steelhead in the near future.
I firmly believe our population and culture is the problem. We used to be a bastion of outdoor culture; now it’s all “12th man” and tech (we’re past startups, it’s tech overlords now) startups with a side of “isn’t Mt. Rainier pretty today”.
