Sauk/Skagit open for CnR 2/1

[Pink Nighty]

I was there today, under the wires in the rain. I got my pitch, put my swing on it and f'n whiffed. Hard pull, nothing. I look upstream to yall to my partner, as I'm yelling "got a yank!" The rod nearly leaves my hand. I spin back around, and nothing there but my pounding heart.

Goddamn. Just when I found him.

 

[_WW_]

WW/Salmo_g -
I seriously doubt that there is any accepted in-season-update (ISU). Suspect the best they can do is that the expect to catch to date is significantly less than expected (5,151/7019 or 73%???).

The folks I have talked with have generally commented on the size of fish being caught - mostly 10 to upper teen pounds. That would seem to indicate fewer than expected 2 salt fish. If that is the case, I would support the early closure (easy for me since I no longer take part in the fishery). Though the accepted model has a build in cushion for such inaccuracies. Perhaps a larger concern if indeed there are fewer 2-sapts than expect it would not bode well for next year's forecast.

Curt

The first thing that comes to mind is that we are held hostage due to the actions of poor fishermen. The second is that creel checkers don't talk to everyone. The third is that this is the harvest reaped from fishermen lying to the creel checkers about their encounters. The fourth is that perhaps the bulk of the run arrived early, before the crowds.

 

[charles sullivan]

The tribe has had a test fishery of sorts for a while. I'm curious as to whether they share the data.

 

[Styskal]

I doubt we will see that data. This is just one of those seasons that has set up for a late return that we will not get to experience. I have no data to back this up. I do have 35 yrs of on water experience and a pretty good vibe of the current conditions. In the next 2 weeks the numbers will pick up.

 

[singlehandjay]

Hail Mary time. I'm catching a fish today

 

[singlehandjay]

Hail Mary time. I'm catching a fish today

I fished my ass off, had a piece of stick that got the heart rate going and that was it. I even went as dirty as I dare with a couple maribous fished.
I was hoping that I could speak one into existence; so is fishing. If I was concerned about catching I would run a bead. Tough season, I only got to fish 9 days total out there with some great casting practice. Have a good evening everyone.

 

[skyriver]

I fished my ass off, had a piece of stick that got the heart rate going and that was it. I even went as dirty as I dare with a couple maribous fished. View attachment 148862
I was hoping that I could speak one into existence; so is fishing. If I was concerned about catching I would run a bead. Tough season, I only got to fish 9 days total out there with some great casting practice. Have a good evening everyone.

Way to hit it hard Jay. Are those your ties? Very nice and I would fish the hell outta that lower left one.

 

[singlehandjay]

Way to hit it hard Jay. Are those your ties? Very nice and I would fish the hell outta that lower left one.

Thank you very much, they absolutely are. I fished those two maribous hard!! When I picked up that stick!!!!!

 

[M_D]

I fished my ass off, had a piece of stick that got the heart rate going and that was it. I even went as dirty as I dare with a couple maribous fished. View attachment 148862
I was hoping that I could speak one into existence; so is fishing. If I was concerned about catching I would run a bead. Tough season, I only got to fish 9 days total out there with some great casting practice. Have a good evening everyone.

Dang it!

I was sooooo hoping to read you did it. I even checked my weather app mid afternoon to see whether or not the crazy winds we were getting in Bellingham were blowing up there…..and they weren’t

And willing a fish into existence can be exhausting, right? ….but what a way to be In The Moment…..and then to get a Stick fish…what an adrenaline dump!

Bummer it didn’t happen but thanks for the vicarious day of fishing

 

[Peyton00]

I believe today is the last day the river's open. Better get out while you can.

 

[skyriver]

I believe today is the last day the river's open. Better get out while you can.

Unfortunately, last day was actually yesterday. The Additional information on the WDFW app under Emergency Regs says this-
"The last day open to catch-and-release steelhead fishing will be Thursday, April 10."

 

[singlehandjay]

Dang it!

I was sooooo hoping to read you did it. I even checked my weather app mid afternoon to see whether or not the crazy winds we were getting in Bellingham were blowing up there…..and they weren’t

And willing a fish into existence can be exhausting, right? ….but what a way to be In The Moment…..and then to get a Stick fish…what an adrenaline dump!

Bummer it didn’t happen but thanks for the vicarious day of fishing

The last run was so damn juicy in the tail out, I was truly surprised there wasn't one hanging out. Weather was 68 when I left and still overcast. It tried to get bright around 11 but couldn't break the clouds. Halfway back to i5 it was pissing hard. I was out of there by 1:30. Turned a 2 hour 50 minute drive into a 5 and a half hour one . But I have to say it was better than work skunk or not.

 

[Salmo_g]

It was so nice out, I was fishing just wearing my lucky flannel fishing shirt. At 2:30 a few drops of rain. Uh oh, my rain jacket is in my pack way back up the gravel bar. Reeled in and walked back and got it; it was raining steadily by then. Back in the water and casting, at 2:43 gale force winds blew over the hill bending tall fir trees to and fro. Heard 3 or 4 break and come falling to the ground. Huh, glad I'm not walking on the trail just now. Wind only lasted a few minutes, and then I finished fishing the run in a steady rain. Just enough to make sure all my gear was soaked. The end of another spring steelhead season, a bit prematurely.

Mostly hearing of larger than average sized fish, so the 2-salt fish were missing in action this year, suggesting not so many 3-salts next year.

 

[Creatch’r]

The rain stopped about 5:30 when I got to the river after work and the sun came back out to make it a really beautiful evening. I caught my last steelhead of the 2025 season at 7:22pm on my float road. About a ten pound hen that looked ready to spawn any day. There was some real nice ones around this year to keep things exciting.

 

[BDD]

Back in March, I kept telling myself, "I'll go a little later"...Took a couple of days off next week only to find out it closed early.

 

[singlehandjay]

The rain stopped about 5:30 when I got to the river after work and the sun came back out to make it a really beautiful evening. I caught my last steelhead of the 2025 season at 7:22pm on my float road. About a ten pound hen that looked ready to spawn any day. There was some real nice ones around this year to keep things exciting.

 

[HauntedByWaters]

I took the last day off and floated in a buddy’s boat. Can’t say no to that! I ran a worm jig under a float ahead of the boat and had my best day of the year landing 3 on the Sauk. We went 5/6 which was not typical for us this year. The season was steady but no insane days but we hooked at least one or two most floats with gear. This fish was a totally insane fight. Float swam off and line started pulling and didn’t stop until it was ready to be landed.

 

[Superfishial]

Beauty JB!