Skagit & Sauk rivers

For sport with the fly, steelhead evince the best of stream and sea. Washington State lies at the heart of steelhead country. Its wild and scenic rivers offer a sporting chance to catch these superlative, sea-run rainbow. On the coast from December through April, I guide fly fishers for winter-run steelhead.

By dory, raft, or skiff, by oar or outboard jet, I ferry you to the river's distant reach—our classroom. We wade nimble and cast far, searching the drifts with the wet fly swung deep, swung slow.

Steelheaders fish the holding water, not the hatch. Keen to discern where fish hold, the successful fly fisher reads water well. Think of the river as a railroad, and of holding water as railroad stations where fish pause to rest during their journey.

The angler strives to cover the holding water methodically with precise, successive swings. If the fly fishes at the right speed and attitude to the current, it proves irresistible. To get the grab we tickle the fish's curiosity and trigger its instinctive, predatory response. A river never sleeps. The current runs in endless change. Charmed and good, we wizards in waders ply the fly, unlock the river's mystery, and find fish.

I provide lunch, bring an appetite.

Tackle and Gear: Warm clothing, insulated waders, waterproof gear, and proper tackle insure you are ready, comfortable, and able to fish. Be prepared!

Rods: Choose a rod capable of casting large flies and mending far off. Limited to a single-handed rod, mine would be a strong but supple eight weight, ten feet long. Any rod casting a seven to nine line and nine feet long or longer will do. Double-handed Spey rods fit this fishery. These lengthy sticks, twelve to sixteen feet long, and rated for seven to ten weight lines, stretch the possibilities and handle large, weighted flies.

Reels: Holding the line and a minimum of 100 yards backing, a sturdy winch should have sufficient drag to prevent overrunning during a large fish's dash.

Lines: The fishery demands that the fly swims low and slow, swinging at the right speed and depth under ever varying flow conditions. The right line hooks fish; one line alone doesn't cut it. Steelheaders are inveterate line tinkers, always trying to match the line to the flow. Recognizing our need to be versatile, line manufactures now offer lines that feature inter-changeable, loop-to-loop-connected sinking tips with varying sink rates. These are easy to change and eliminate the need to carry extra spools. Too, you can create and add tungsten-weighted or lead core tips to your arsenal. Rio VersiTip (for single-handed rods) or Rio WindCutter (for double-handers), these lines get the job done.

Leaders: Carry Ultra-green Maxima spools in sizes: 06X-20#, 04X-15#, 02X-12#, and 1X-10#. We tie our three to six foot leaders streamside, using a Nail Knot to attach butt to line, Water Knots to join taper segments, and the Double Turle to fix tippet to fly. Know your knots!

Flies: Bring several dozen flies, size 2 to 2/0, barbless. Vary color and size, having both bright and dark patterns which feature red, orange, white, purple, black, and chartreuse. Steelhead devour flies that swim, pulsate, have silhouette, and dance deep on sharp, tempered iron. Weighted, articulated patterns that feature various colors of marabou, ostrich herl and rabbit strips give a big silhouette but feature a small, effective stinger hook.

Checklist:

  • Valid license and steelhead punch card
  • Waders: chest-high neoprene or Breathable, stocking or felt-soled boot foot
  • Wading staff, belt
  • Wader patch kit (Aquaseal, Cotel speed cure, duct tape)
  • Wading brogues, gravel guards, stream cleats (optional)
  • Fishing vest, rainjacket/windbreaker (critical! make it short)
  • Hat, cap, fingerless gloves, scarf, kerchief (dress warm)
  • Forceps, hook hone, nippers, Tie-Fast knot tier, pliers, knife
  • Field guides, fishing diary, poetry
  • Polarized sunglasses with neck keeper
  • First Aid kit, medicine, kleenex, sunscreen, lip balm, contacts
  • Camera, film, batteries, flashlight
  • Leader wallet/tippet dispenser, tippet spools
  • Line cleaner/dressing
  • Stream thermometer
  • Flask, thermos, water bottle, candy, gum, cigars, pipe
  • No dope, whiskey by the salutary wee dram only
  • Waterproof duffel, tackle bag, fly boxes with flies
  • Rods, reels, lines

Provisions: I endorse purveyors who know steelhead, the Pacific Northwest, and me. Patrick's Fly Shop, the oldest fly shop on the West Coast, can outfit you with the right tackle and flies. Call for mail orders or visit the tackle counter. Patrick's Fly Shop, 2237 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle WA 98102. Phone 206.325.8988 or 800.398.7693. Tell them John sent you.