Trout Fishing Tips

Now that the snow is melting, many anglers in Washington have started gearing up for summer-run steelhead fishing!

To help you out, I've created a list of some of the best resources for steelhead fishing in the North West. I own most of books myself and found them very useful and full of valuable information. All of them deserve a worthy place in your fishing library!

Advanced Fly Fishing for Steelhead: Flies and Technique

Spinner Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon and Trout

Steelhead & Salmon Drift-Fishing Secrets

Spoon Fishing for Steelhead

Jig Fishing for Steelhead & Salmon

Float Fishing for Steelhead: Techniques & Tackle

Color Guide to Steelhead Drift Fishing

Fly Fishing for Summer Steelhead

Steelhead Fly Fishing on the Olympic Peninsula


For more steelhead fishing resources, click here.

Labels: fishing library, Steelhead fishing, Trout Fishing in Washington

If you live in Washington, you probably know that many of the rivers and streams will open tomorrow for trout fishing. And you may even know some of the best fishing spots in the state.

But did you know there are other streams that are often overlooked which provide some great trout fishing as well? Some of these streams are under fished - so you can find some big rainbows in them!!

You can read more about the trout fishing in Washington by clicking here.

And if you catch a really nice trout, be sure to come back and tell us about it!

Labels: Trout Fishing in Washington

While many Washington anglers will be out fishing this Memorial Day weekend, some have chosen to wait until June 1st - when rivers and streams generally open for trout fishing.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife generally waits until spawning season is over before opening many rivers and streams for trout fishing. This is part of an ongoing effort to protect wild trout.

Cedar River will be among the rivers open June 1 for trout fishing. The fishery has selective gear rules, and is catch and release only.

Other rivers to try on the June 1 opener for steelhead are the Stillaguamish North Fork (fly-fishing only), Snoqualmie (no bait allowed), Soleduck, Hoh, Bogachiel, Green, Skykomish, Satsop, Elochoman, Skagit, Calawah and Chehalis.

You might want to keep in mind that you're not allowed to keep and possess bull trout on the Skagit river.

Also until further notice the Cowlitz River is closed to all fishing. This closure will assist the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery which serves to release large numbers of hatchery smolts and also traps hatchery adult broodstock.

The fly fishermen at Lone and Pass lakes are doing quite well on trout. Other trout lakes worth checking out are Meridian, Jameson, Warden, Cassidy, Roesiger, Green, Martha, Pine, Lone, Cottage, Mayfield, Rattlesnake, Langlois, McMurray, Wilderness, Bosworth, Spanaway, Angle, Wapato, Spectacle, Deer and Tanwax.

If you don't have a fishing license yet, you might want to mark June 9th and 10th on your calendar! These days have been designated free fishing days (meaning, that no license is required for residents or non-residents). However, a catch record card is still required to fish for or retain Dungeness crab, steelhead, salmon, sturgeon and halibut in most waters.

Want to know which trout streams are under fished in Washington? Click here.

Good luck!

Labels: bull trout, Cowlitz River, Skagit River, Steelhead, Trout Fishing in Washington

Trout fishing in Washington is about to get better with a couple of events coming up this month.

On April 28th, the lowland lakes will open for trout fishing. There will be a trout seminar on April 21st to anglers prepare for the new Washington trout fishing season.

The seminar will be held between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 21 at Outdoor Emporium, 1701 4th Ave. S. in Seattle.

In addition to booths and exhibitions, some of Washington's expert trout fishers will be there to offer their best tips. Buzz Ramsey will of teach you how to use PowerBait. Bill Herzog (author of Spoon Fishing for Steelhead) will offer tips for catching giant trout and kokanee. You'll get fly fishing tips from Jim Teeny and fly casting help from Andreson-Redington. Joel Shangle will also be there to offer information on close-to-home trout fisheries.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about trout fishing from the experts. For more information call (206) 624-6550.

On April 29th, the Sky Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited is hosting a free kids' trout-fishing day 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lake Tye in Monroe.

The event is for children 12 and under. Kids are encouraged to bring their own fishing gear, but there will be gear available for use during the derby if needed.

There will also be an adult fishing derby 2-5 p.m. Cost is $10. Largest fish is $250, plus $500 for whoever catches the tagged fish. For more information, call (360) 794-6378.

On May 19th, there will also be a Youth Outdoor Adventure Expo at the Cowlitz County Expo Center, 1900 7th Ave., in Longview. The expo will begin at 9 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.

The event will include instruction and demonstrations on fly-tying, casting, catch-and-release fishing, firearm safety, outdoor survival, hunting, compass reading, boating, marine touch tanks and bird identification. For more information, call (360) 864-4259 or (360) 902-8308.

Each of these events are a great opportunity to learn more about trout fishing in Washington, so you might want to check them out.

Labels: Bill Herzog, Trout Fishing in Washington, Washington Trout Fishing