Washington State Steelhead

[Caddfly]

I am headed up to Washington on the Sept 1 for the wife's family reunion, but somehow I earned a kitchen pass and I'm going to do some steelhead fishing. I have never fished for them, so I need a little help. I have scouted the Satsup and Wynoochee (by Elma) but have never fished them. Has anyone ever fished up there before and can give me some info on where and particular fly patterns that might be useful? Thanks in advance.

caddfly@yahoo.com

[stout_trout]

I don't know anything about that area, but I fished steelhead and salmon in WA a few years ago. I learned that with those types of fish, they are only in the river to be moving on to more important things. The fish aren't holding in every pocket, like trout.

The local shops, the good ones at least, will know exactly where the fish are...which is probably more important than fly selection and such. Call around or see if they have any online reports.

Good luck!

[Bowcutt2]

I fished steelhead in OR and WA for 34 years. Find out when the steelhead run for the rivers you want to fish. A few rivers have overlapping runs and most others only have fish for 2 or 3 months out of the year. When the fish are in they will always be in the same places, so if you know when and where to fish you have a chance of hooking into one. 95% of the river never holds fish, the other 5% holds fish IF they are in the river. Local knowledge is invaluable. I have never fished the rivers you mention but offer this experience from years on other rivers.

I hope you find some fish and even hook into 1 or 2.

[Bowcutt2]

Caddfly,

Found this link that might be useful. Apparently there is a Summer run of Steehead in the Wynoochee now you just need the all important holding spots.

http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomframe.jsp?query=Satsop+and+Wynoochee+River&page=1&offset=0&result_url=redir%3Fsrc%3Dwebsearch%26requestId%3D4 d602596a01f220b%26clickedItemRank%3D1%26userQuery% 3DSatsop%2Band%2BWynoochee%2BRiver%26clickedItemUR N%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.upriverguide.com%252Fwh en.htm%26invocationType%3D-%26fromPage%3DNSCPSuggestion%26amp%3BampTest%3D1&remove_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.upriverguide.com%2Fwhe n.htm