Methow Steelhead Opening 2024

Evan B

Evan B

Bobber Downey Jr.
Staff member
Admin
Looks like it's official. Methow will be open 1hr before sunrise on Oct 16.

Kind of bittersweet for me - this was once my "happy place" fishery that I have missed dearly since it shuttered in 2015. I thought it may never open again, and said I'd be the first one there if and when it did re-open.

Well, now we're here, and I don't know that I'm going to make the trip. 7hrs is a long drive, I have no vacation time, and I honestly think it's going to be extremely busy. I think I would rather cope with the FOMO than go through everything to get myself there and have to wait in line for a run to open up for me.

Anyone going to make the pilgrimage?
 
Evan B said:
Looks like it's official. Methow will be open 1hr before sunrise on Oct 16.

Kind of bittersweet for me - this was once my "happy place" fishery that I have missed dearly since it shuttered in 2015. I thought it may never open again, and said I'd be the first one there if and when it did re-open.

Well, now we're here, and I don't know that I'm going to make the trip. 7hrs is a long drive, I have no vacation time, and I honestly think it's going to be extremely busy. I think I would rather cope with the FOMO than go through everything to get myself there and have to wait in line for a run to open up for me.

Anyone going to make the pilgrimage?
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Just last night I was talking with a buddy of mine about this Methow opener. Talk about mixed emotions. Yes, I'd love to swing flies through the --- ----- hole, I love that long run. I've hooked steelhead from the head all the way to the end of tailout. But the river's only opening from the mouth to Burma Road, that's not a lot of river.

The last time the river was open (and it was open (if I remember correctly) all the way to Winthrop, it was busy at every run. So I think I will just leave the river alone (for a few weeks.... then maybe). So tempting.

Oh, that --- ---- hole! So sweet.
 
Buzzy said:
Just last night I was talking with a buddy of mine about this Methow opener. Talk about mixed emotions. Yes, I'd love to swing flies through the --- ----- hole, I love that long run. I've hooked steelhead from the head all the way to the end of tailout. But the river's only opening from the mouth to Burma Road, that's not a lot of river.

The last time the river was open (and it was open (if I remember correctly) all the way to Winthrop, it was busy at every run. So I think I will just leave the river alone (for a few weeks.... then maybe). So tempting.

Oh, that --- ---- hole! So sweet.
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I also planned to fish that spot 😉

They eat skaters there quite willingly
 
JayB said:
Makes me wonder what the returns are like on the Wenatchee...
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Oh! Man, hiking up the railroad tracks to "-------"; A "Trick or Treat" swung from the top of that granite ledge........
 
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JayB said:
Makes me wonder what the returns are like on the Wenatchee...
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8400 over Rock Island, 6400 over Rocky Reach. That leaves 2000 fish with potential to go up the snatch. 1359 of those 2000 fish are unclipped. So overall poor, but mostly wild.

Unfortunately with the river only open to Burma its going to be too crowded for me. That and all my favorite stuff is above that.
 
Could be fun just to go watch the s%#t show that is going to happen for sure....
 
Evan is probably right on the crowding, especially given the limited open area which I didn't appreciate when reading the news release yesterday. I won't fish it. Never have. I'm still happy its opening as it beats the alternative. Washington needs all the positive steelhead news it can get.
 
RCF said:
Could be fun just to go watch the s%#t show that is going to happen for sure....
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I'm headed over to grab my rock right now, and just in case, I'm bringing one with me in case they are already taken.
;)
 
Evan B said:
Standing in the queue to fish the lower 1mi of river is gonna be OFF THE HOOK
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Queue: Assuming folks cast.step.cast.step instead of parking.
Mossback said:
I'm headed over to grab my rock right now, and just in case, I'm bringing one with me in case they are already taken.
;)
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I'll call it the "orchard" run (there's more than one); I stood on a large granite erratic and made a cast. Then two more casts. All three casts were fish on and fish landed. Don't you dare stand on MY rock! ;-)
 
Well I'm driving over now, first come first served.
🤣😁🤣
 
Yeah, I was all set to pack up and go until the Burma boundary was pointed out. I fish that river by covering lots of water, so I need miles and miles. It's a small stream, and when anglers discover how low flow concentrates the fish, everyone will be standing around casting into small pools that are like goldfish ponds.
 
Buzzy said:
Queue: Assuming folks cast.step.cast.step instead of parking.

I'll call it the "orchard" run (there's more than one); I stood on a large granite erratic and made a cast. Then two more casts. All three casts were fish on and fish landed. Don't you dare stand on MY rock! ;-)
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99% sure I know which one. I've seen many a steelhead hit skaters in it. Actually have a printed picture hanging in my office of me with a steelhead jumping on the end of my line right in the spot.
 
Evan B said:
99% sure I know which one. I've seen many a steelhead hit skaters in it. Actually have a printed picture hanging in my office of me with a steelhead jumping on the end of my line right in the spot.
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Methow whitefish018.jpg

Different rock, Sage rod (it didn't break even with that mega-bend) and a much younger me. No Mercury. Man, I love that river.
 
Flow is less than 300 cfs. Who wants to put in at lower Burma and take out at Bridge 1, going through Black Canyon? I had a part in getting that access area developed (Bridge 1) and I have waited for the day to actually use it.

I'm glad there's enough fish returning for a season...I love that river. However like many of you, I'm conflicted. No it won't be like the glory years of 2001-2009. It will be crowded, tempers will rise, you will be disappointed in a lot of things about it being opened. But for those who thought they may never see it opened again in your lifetime, I'm glad it was proved wrong for most of us.
 
BDD said:
Flow is less than 300 cfs. Who wants to put in at lower Burma and take out at Bridge 1, going through Black Canyon? I had a part in getting that access area developed (Bridge 1) and I have waited for the day to actually use it.

I'm glad there's enough fish returning for a season...I love that river. However like many of you, I'm conflicted. No it won't be like the glory years of 2001-2009. It will be crowded, tempers will rise, you will be disappointed in a lot of things about it being opened. But for those who thought they may never see it opened again in your lifetime, I'm glad it was proved wrong for most of us.
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I remember a little side channel low down that you knew quite well.

I did not think the Methow would open for steelheading; I'm surprisede and happy for the opportunity. Some rain would be nice.
 
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