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|  This is Sue's monster!
October 8, 2010
The fishing pressure over the last several days has sure increased,
both boaters and bank anglers. I have never seen so many new blue
rafts, and all of them Saturns. Seems like every SUV and truck has one
behind it. I have been pondering how this steelhead season is shapin'
up and here is what I think: 1) Lookin' at the dam counts; it
definitely appears as though we are not going to have as many steelhead
this year as last. The count at Priest Rapids last year was 37,890 at
this time. This year it is 25,555. At Wells there were 22,845 in '09,
and this year there are 11,506. 2) I can only speak for myself, but I
think it fits for most of us. I'm havin' a hard time letting go of the
great catching that we had last year at this time because we had more
fish in the river. 3) As a human being in today's world there are 3
words that sum it all up: BIGGER, MORE, FASTER. Need to learn more ACCEPTANCE"FISHING" not "CATCHING."
See ya on the river, Rod
September 29, 2010
When it is all said and done steelheading is still
steelheading; whether it is the Methow, Wenatchee, Klickitat, Grande
Ronde, Deschutes or wherever. Some days you catch fish - some days you
don't. That is why it is called fishing and not catching. Yesterday
was one of the better catching days we've had on the the river.
However, the 4 days prior we were just putting in our time and making
our 1000+ casts. It is going to get better. LONGSUFFERING & HOPE.
See ya on the river, Rod
September 22, 2010
Steelheading has picked up a bit on the lower river after the recent
rains, but still not what it can be. The river came up to about 700
cfs. and has leveled in the mid-600's. Nymph fishing is the most
productive method. Stoneflies and a mixture of sz. 12 & 14
droppers. I have tried egg patterns a couple of times with no
success. Mainly cause there are not a large number of active salmon
redds yet.
See ya on the river, Rod
and be satisfied with less catching and more learning. 4) We call it
September 2, 2010
Sorry I haven't updated for awhile. I have been laid up most of the
last part of August and haven't been able to fish. So, I have been
tying steelhead bugs, getting my two-handed reels set up with Scandi
and Skagit lines, and a few miscellaneous tasks, but I am back on the
river as of the 1st of the week. The days have gotten shorter and
cooler. Grouse hunting and archery deer hunting started yesterday, and
you may want to think about your waders again if you're fishing.
My friend Susan fished this weekend and reported catching her second
biggest Methow cutthroat. She caught it on the same exact fly she used
to catch her big one in March (see the "Methow River" page for a
picture of her big one). She walked in to a hole between Winthrop
& Twisp where not once but twice lost either this fish or one just
like it last year. She tried several patterns including the ones she
hooked it on last year but no way. In a final attempt to lure it out,
she tied on the "retired" nymph she used to catch the big one. On the
first pass through the hole, the bobber went down and it was "big
cutty" on. This time she landed it. It was about 22". Sorry, she was
on her own and unable to snap a picture without harming the fish. The
nymph is one of her own creation, and she made me sign a non-disclosure
statement not to reveal it. This same bug was very effective last
spring for steelhead. With the returning numbers looking as good as
they are right now, looks like she’ll have a chance to try it out on
them this fall. All I can say is keep checking WDFW's site for updates
on the opening of steelhead fishing on the Wenatchee, Methow,
Entiat, and Okanogan.
See ya on the river, Rod
June 19, 2010
This report is coming to you directly from my cabin. I have spent the
last 6 days on the river. And on my day off I hooked up my new
wireless DSL. The fishing has been good. The river is just over 2000
cfs. and the clarity is perfect. Nymphing has been the best technique
to use. Over the last couple of days my guests have turned some
smaller fish and an occasional good fish on dries, but nymphing has
been the name of the game. Caddis and Mayfly imitations are the most
productive with a Pat's Stone taking it's share. I have been seeing
adult Caddis and Mayflies on the water. No fish eating them to amount
to anything. I am expecting the dry fly fishing to start turning on
any day.
June 4,2010
The sun was shining yesterday, but today it is raining here in the
Methow Valley. Even with the river opening tomorrow, it is going to be
awhile before it is fishable. It has been on the rise and is currently
just over 9200 cfs. Both the Grande Ronde and Klickitat open tomorrow
also. The Ronde is at about 17,000 cfs. and the Klickitat is just over
3,000 cfs. Looks like it will be still water or the upper Yakima if a
fisher person wants to fish during the next couple weeks. I had planned
on headin' to Rat Lake today, especially after a friend saw a couple of
20" Browns cruising the shoreline two days ago. However, I decided to
wait until the rain stops.
See ya on the river or maybe a lake, Rod
June 2, 2010
Well here I am sittin' in the Methow River Fly Shop in Carlton, WA, and
my Argosy is settin' on the bench above Carlton just off of Vintin
Road. It is set-up. The dogs and are I sleeping in it again; "Home
Sweet Home." I am looking down on the river and waiting for opening
day. However, right now it doesn't appear that the river will
be fishing in its current condition. It is just over 8,000 cfs and a bit
on the dirty side. O' well, I am glad to be here, and you can be sure
that I will let you know how it is fishin' just as soon as I can.
See ya on the river, Rod
March 29, 2010
On Sunday, I got a chance to fish with my friend Sue. Not only did she land a few steelhead, but take a look at the beautiful Methow River Cutthroat that she landed. You will have to go a long ways to see a better cutty than this. It took a sz. 12 Prince with just a touch of red on it. Notice the hook scar on the jaw. When Sue got the fish into my waiting net, it was wearing an 1/8 oz. pink & white jig and about 2 feet of tippet. This fish was caught above Carlton. Can you imagine this fish taking a big dry in July? I can. Three more days of steelheading.
See ya on the river, Rod
March 25, 2010
The fella in the picture is David Doperalski. He and his dad, Vic, came over to fish a half-day with me, and David had two firsts. He had never fly fished before for anything and look what happened. His first fish fly fishing was a nice hatchery buck. Later that day, David hooked and landed his second steelhead ever, a beautiful wild hen that did a tail-walk across the river. I started him on a 7wt. TFO switch rod and he caught on quickly. A sz. 12 red/black Sno-cone Chironomid did the trick.
Right now we seem to be catching a few more fish in the Twisp area. The same bugs are working, but I am also hearing that fish are being caught on egg patterns. The river is on a gradual rise and is at 575 cfs. today. Six days left in the '09 & '10 season. I will be in Conconully tomorrow for the first annual "CONCONULLY FLY FISHING RENDEZVOUS." If you are over that way, stop in and see me. The show is presented by PAT'S FLIES and is being held in the Community Hall
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See ya on the river, Rod
March 23, 2010
On Saturday, I taught a steelhead fishing class on the river for the Northwest Women Flyfishers (NWF). The class was done in conjunction with an NWF Methow River steelhead outing hosted by Sue Morrison. All of the gals that attended managed to hook at least one steelhead over the two day outing. The class covered all aspects of steelheading with alot of attention to the nature of the fish and reading the sections of a run to determine where fish are holding at different times of the season. On Sunday, they fished on their own as a group. Thank You ladies, I really enjoyed working with you.
The fishing below Carlton has slowed some, but the fishing in the Twisp area has improved. Fish are being caught at most of the prominent runs above Carlton. The catching should remain good through to the end March 31.
Well guys and gals, the steelhead fishing is almost finished here on the Methow. It has been a fantastic year, and I am already looking forward to next fall. It is like you just can't get enough steelhead fishing. During April, May, and the first part of June, Clint and I are going to be focusing on the Smallmouth Bass on the Lower Yakima. I will be spending most of my time down there, so if you are looking for an opportunity to catch a big smallmouth let me know. Not huge numbers but "Big Bass." Fish pushing 8 pounds are possible. I lived in Prosser for over 20 years, and Clint grew up there and still lives there, so we know it pretty darn well. In June, I will be back on the Methow fishing for those awesome Methow River Cutthroat. We have seen a few of them during the steelheading that were well over 20". I am looking forward to a great dry fly trout fishery this summer. And don't forget the Klickitat. It opens for steelhead again in June.
See ya on the river, Rod
GRIFF'S BLOG March 15, 2010
When you fish the Methow at this time of year, you never know what will be at the end of your line when you feel the tug or the bobber goes down. This was definitely the case with the fish in the picture above. Right up until the time that he was at our feet we thought for sure the fish at the end of the line was a buck steelhead. All the signs were there. So when we saw this guy we were surprised; but I must say, pleasantly surprised. Look at the size of this guy. Just one more reason why the Methow is such a special river. Keep in mind that Bull Trout are a protected species. And although you can not control hooking one while fishing for steelhead, you can contol the way you handle them once you find one on your hook. Please do not remove them from the water, and make sure that they are revived and ready to take off on their own when you release them.
The steelhead fishing is still decent. Some days not as good as others, but the fish are still willing to take the small nymphs. You just need to be selective when it comes to where you put your bug and the presentation is very important. Drag free! Cover a run thoroughly because the offering has to be right in front of their face.
See ya on the river, Rod
March 11, 2010
Well fellas, no matter what, it is still steelhead fishing here on the Methow. One day is good and the next one or two days not so good. As it gets closer to spawning, the fish are on the move. You may hook 1 or 2 or more fish in a run today and the next day "0" regardless of where you go. Remember this word "PERSISTENCE." There is something about these fish we call "STEELHEAD" that keeps us coming back. For me, it is the throbbing at the end of my line, the blistering runs, and the aerial acrobatics that this fish that has traveled so far is still able to deliver. Concentrate on the slower deeper sections of the runs and don't be afraid to think outside of the box.
See ya on the river, Rod January 6, 2010
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday it was 38 degrees and bearable on the river. Today it never got much above 20 degrees. We lost our cloud cover last night, and it dropped down into the low teens. The river is still fishable; but if the temps stay as low as they are right now, the river will start icing up again. Keith Roe and I fished several different runs yesterday with good results. We were able to land two hatchery fish. The best colors right now are blue or black fished deep and slow. Stick to the slower water too.
I have a new ClackaMax on the way. I normally try to trade my boat out at least every two years, and this is the year that the old one needs to go. I have been hearing some good things about the ClackaMax so one is being built for me right now. I have a guide friend, John Garrett, of Garrett's Guide Service that rows one on the Klickitat, and he says it is the best boat he's ever rowed. It can handle 3 anglers with ease. I am exicted to get it on the river.
See ya on the river, Rod
January 3, 2010
I can't hardly believe that it is 2010. I hope that you all had an awesome holiday and are looking forward to all that the New Year has in store. The last few days the temperature has improved here in the Methow Valley. It was 36 degrees today and the ice is breaking up again. I have spent a few hours each day for the last two days on the river. Yesterday I fished above Twisp. Today I spent about 3 hours downstream of Carlton. No fish either day, but I have heard reports from the WDFW Creel Checkers that a few fish are being taken. Primarily by anglers using floats and jigs or by fly fishers with nymph rigs. The river is definitely fishable; however, be careful especially below Carlton where chunks of shelf ice are breaking off and floating downriver.
See ya on the river, Rod November 17, 2009
Catching on the Methow is really good right now. Water temps are right at 40 degrees, and the fish have been willing to take Stone Flies and egg combinations. The snow is mostly gone today, and the sun is shining. Great day for fishing for steelhead.
See ya on the river, Rod
November 13, 2009
Catching on the Klickitat was good. We floated the canyon section. The highlight of the trip was my Grandson Coby landing his first steelhead. Not as much pressure as the Methow. It was a welcome change.
We woke up to a dusting of snow in Carlton this morning. It increased throughout the day. As I write this at 6:30 pm, the snow has stopped and the temperature is in the high 20's. It is expected to drop into the high teens tonight. I fished late afternoon with no success. Dropping water temps will cause the fish to get more lethargic. Slow and deep is the key whether you are nymphing or swinging.
See ya on the river, Rod
November 9, 2009
The colder water and night time temps have slowed the catching on the Methow. Clint and I floated from Halterman to Carlton on Saturday. Aside from an occasional trout we hooked one confirmed steelhead, and he was very lothargic. I talked with one of the creel checkers yesterday afternoon at Public Fishing Area #3 and she had checked 4 fish all day. For the number of fishermen that were fishing that count is pretty darn low. I swung the Carlton Hole and PF#3 late afternoon - no grabs. I am headed to the Klickitat on Wednesday.
See ya on the river, Rod
October 5, 2009
The steelhead catching has slowed a bit. I have to believe that it has to do with the amount of pressure on the river. There have been lots of anglers on the river from Carlton downstream. I had guests out on Saturday. We met at 6:00 am and fished hard all day. The best we could do was two fish, one of which was a wild buck. Both fish were taken early morning just downstream of Carlton. Also, both the air and water temps have dropped some from the opening so that could have a something to do with it. We had rod guides icing on Saturday morning.
See ya on the river, Rod
September 30, 2009
Methow River steelhead catching on the swing has been good, and that is all I have been doing for the last two days. Traditional patterns such as the Bomber, Spade, and Skunks have been producing fish. The fish seem to be well spread throughout the system, with Carlton downstream probably being the best fishing. Be prepared to see a lot of other anglers, but most of them are wearing smiles. Remember that hatchery fish are a mandatory keeper this year with four being the daily limit per angler.
See ya on the river, Rod September 8, 2009
Overall both the steelhead fishing on the Klickitat and the trout fishing on the Methow were pretty darn good.
I spent the last 3 days on the Methow and the cooler weather and increase in water flow has improved the trout fishing. The biggest fish we landed was about 16" and we saw a lot of cutthroat in the 11" to 14" range. I fished the Winthrop to Halterman Hole section over the 3 days. The afternoons and evenings fished better than the mornings. Dry fly fishing was the most effective method. We fished everything from my sz. 8 Wild Thing and Neapolitan foam bugs to sz. 14 Adams and sz. 12 PMDs. We saw a lot of natural mayflies and fish eating them on the surface in certain runs. The fish that we caught in these locations were pretty much cookie cutter fish of about 12". One of the best fish came up to a sz. 10 green Humpy and is still wearing it. It was one of those set the hook as the fish is going in the other direction maneuver's that happens from time to time.
By the way, have you taken a look at the steelhead counts in the Columbia? Bonneville has had over 523,000 fish over its ladder and Priest Rapids over 21,000 fish. Wells has just under 9,000 steelhead over it. I am not a gambler, but I think I will put my money on having a season on the Methow and Wenatchee. "I am excited." And I am wanting to get down to the Klickitat too. Clint is having way too much fun down there.
See ya on the river, Rod
September 4, 2009
I traded the fly rod and the oars for my 20 ga. Browning Citori and headed out with Pete and Pepper chasing grouse. No birds but the dogs had a great time. Pete hunted so hard that he found a likely rest spot in the shade and flopped himself down right in the middle of the trail we were on. Clint is on the Klickitat again today. I am headed back to the Methow tonight. I'll update you on the fishing in the next day or so.
See ya on the river or the trail, Rod
September 1, 2009
Clint fished the Klickitat on Saturday and got two steelhead to the net and broke one off. He floated from Stinson Flats to the take out at The Slide. With the hot weather, the river was off-color in the morning but clearing in the afternoon. They hooked all three fish in the afternoon after the river had started to clear in the lower sections of this float. In the Klickitat as with all eastern Washington Rivers, wild fish are to be released and hatchery fish retained.
See ya on the river, Rod
August 31, 2009
I was on the river for the last three days, and the catching has improved somewhat. We hooked a lot of smaller fish with one or two in the 14 to 16 inch range. A big dry and dropper combination seemed to be the best technique for us. A blue or pearl Montana Fly sz. 14 Lightening Bug was the best dropper we used. The river is low at about 347 cfs, when compared to the mean flow which is normally about 500 cfs. The steelhead counts over the Columbia River dams are looking good. There are 480,000+ fish over Bonneville with close to 12,000 fish over Priest Rapids. Wells dam has had close to 5,000 fish cross over it. It is looking good for a steelhead opening on the Wenatchee and Methow. "HOPE."
See ya on the river, Rod
August 23, 2009
The water temperature has bumped back up to the mid 60's again, and the flows have dropped to just over 400 cfs. The result is poor catching. The fish that we are hooking are taking the bug in the head of the runs in the faster more oxygenated water. We are working hard for the ones we get. Now is the time to hang on to the "HOPE" and keep "PERSEVERING."
See ya on the river, Rod
August 16, 2009
The catching has improved. Over the last few days, the water temps have cooled down and we are seeing some good fish on the big dries. I checked the water temp yesterday about mid-day and it was 58 degrees. Jim and I floated below Carlton and he landed several good fish. The biggest being a 19" cutthroat. Sorry, I didn't get a picture but we had him on for quite a spell. We didn't want to take a chance on over stressing him. The weather has been cooler but is suppose to heat up again about mid-week. Take advantage of my latest special - Full-day trip for 2 on the Methow through the end of trout season for $350.00. Lets go fishing!
See ya on the river, Rod
August 8, 2009
Yesterday was another slow day of catching. We fished both dries and nymphs and were able to scratch out three good fish from 16" to 18", but overall it isn't what it can be. Water temperatures in the afternoon were between 66 and 70 degrees. I started at 6:30am, but even the early morning wasn't as good as I had expected. The good fish that we are turning just seem to be bumping the bug and not really eating it, and we are seeing a lot of smaller fish doing the same thing. Traditionally, August is great dry fly fishing, and because we always have "HOPE" we expect the catching to improve. When you do get one hooked make sure you get it in, keep it in the water, revive it, and set it free. They fight hard and the warmer water really stresses them.
See ya on the river, Rod
August 6, 2009
Clint was on the river Monday and Tuesday. The big dry fly fishing was good through the morning but slowed in the afternoon each day. I was out yesterday, and the fishing was slow all day. Geoff and Andrew fished hard all day. The fish just didn't cooperate. The weather has cooled today with the air temperature at Carlton at 83 degrees. I took a water temperature 3 times yesterday afternoon. It ranged from 64 to 66 degrees. Those were taken mid-stream in current. I will be fishing again tomorrow. I am planning an early start; like 6:00 or 6:30 am. I will let you know how it goes.
See ya on the river, Rod
August 2, 2009
HOT, HOT, HOT!!! I have to believe that the hot weather and warmer water temps along with the severe thunderstorms have been the cause of the catching slow-down. Clint and I did a two boat trip on Friday and the fishing was tough. Also, dirty water from the Chewuch River resulting from the thunderstorms started coloring the lower Methow by the afternoon and the river was a complete bust on Saturday. It is clearing today and is fishable this afternoon. Clint has a trip tomorrow and Tuesday, and I will let you know how it goes. We are seeing alot of hoppers now. Big dries alone or with beadhead droppers as well as deep nymphing have been our primary tactics. When nymphing we have been using a DB Speckled Leg Stone or Pat's Stone with a Copper John, Prince, Caddis Pupae, etc. You can get the DB Stone at the Carlton General Sore. It is one of the Montana Fly Co. patterns. I have also hung a cone headed zuddler on the end of a type 6 tip and ran it through the deep runs with some success. A Caddis Pupae, Copper John, or Prince behind the streamer can also be effective.
See ya on the river, Rod
July 26, 2009
Well we spent a few hours over the last few days on the bank sitting out the lightenting strikes that were hammering the valley. We alsp spent a little time saying one thousand one, one thousand two, etc. to see how far away the strikes were from our location. And we spent a lot of time listening to the sirens on fire equipment racing up and down the road. The fishing was fair but nothing to jump up and down about. The decent fish were few and far between. The small fish kept our hopes up. There are alot of salmon smolt and juvenile steelhead in the river right now and they like red and pink. We have also landed a fair number of 9" to 12" Rainbows and Cutthroat, and that is a good thing. The highlight of the week was when Leon had a huge Bull Trout try to eat an 11" or 12" Cutthroat he hooked on a big dry. It was awesome. I have started seeing quite a few hoppers and have had some success on old reliables like the Dave's Hopper. One thing that I want to remind you of is that the water temps are warming and there have been aA few dead fish showing up. I personally saw a nice 17" or 18" trout belly up floating past my boat. Please land the fish as quickly as possible, keep the fish in the water, and forget the pictures when necessary. "Keeping a recently landed fish out of the water is like someone sticking your head underwater after running a mile." See ya on the river, Rod
July 19, 2009
I was on the Yakima yesterday with Project Healing Waters participants and what an honor it was to share my boat with a young soldier who has served our country well. Thanks Brett for letting me take you fishing. And my thanks to Chuck Tye, Northwest Regional Coordinator, for Project Healing Waters for allowing me to take part in this worthy project.
The fishing on the Methow over the past week has had its ups and downs. We have still managed to catch fish, but there have been days when we had to work pretty hard to get it done. As you can see from the picture however, the rewards are well worth the effort. We had one day this week that the morning fishing was awesome and the afternoon just plain shut down. Go figure - that is why we call it "fishing" and not "catching."
See ya on the river, Rod
July 12, 2009
Sorry I have't updated the report for a few days, but I have been busy on the river and that is a good thing. The dry fly fishing on the Methow has been good. Actually, we have caught fish both nymphing and on dries; but if I can throw a dry and get a fish to eat it that is what I will be doing. Yesterday the big dries fished well, and we landed one 20" cutthroat and several more that were in the 15" to 18" range. Sorry I can't show you a picture of the big boy, but Al decided to turn him loose just before I snapped the picture. We also broke one off just above the take out that may have been just a bit bigger. Clint started a little earlier than I did and fished below Carlton. He went to a standard nymph rig after starting with dries and did well on Copper John droppers below a stonefly. The river is in great shape and is continuing its steady drop. It was just over 1000 cfs this morning.
See ya on the river, Rod
July 7, 2009
Over the last 5 days the fishing on the Methow River has been good. We have caught fish on both dries and nymphs. We have been seeing good numbers of Caddis late in the evening but most of our fish have been taken on big dries. Yesterday morning we had a pretty severe thunderstorm and even had some marble size hail for about 10 minutes. It was the toughest fishing of the last five days. And we had to nymph to catch fish. My friend Jim Wise fished with Clint on Saturday and was able to land a 20" cutthroat on a foam bug. He saw one bigger but was just a little too impatient to wait out the slow rise to the fly. Current flow is down around 1300 cfs.
See ya on the river, Rod
July 2, 2009
The dry fly fishing on the Methow river yesterday was the best I have seen it this year. Brad and Lori caught fish on both nymphs and dries. We had so much fun on the dries that we did not nymph very long. We saw a fair number of Caddis and Mayflies, but we caught fish on big dries like stimis and foam creatures. It is only going to get better. If you have to nymph - Stoneflies with bead head droppers like Lightening Bugs, Prince Nymphs, and the like are working well. Sorry, I don't have a new picture for you, but my old camera quit on me. I had to buy a new one and haven't ran the software yet so I can transfer them to the lap top. Our biggest fish was an LDR, but Lori was able to land a 17" Cutthroat.
See ya on the river, Rod
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