Trout Fishing Tips

According to guide Sam Ingram, steelhead trout have been displaying an array of rare acrobatics these days on the Skagit River in Washington State.

Ingram reported that fishing has been really good for a couple of weeks now, since water releases have dropped and stabilized to a degree on the big river. His clients have been hooking 3-4 trout a day, with many of them in the 14-20 pound range! And the season remains open through the end of the month.

If the Sauk is relatively clean, folks might want to give the Rockport-to-Concrete drift a try. But if it's blownout, the Marblemount-Rockport stretch can be productive.

Ingram says the big, aggressive natives are suckers for a properly presented plug. He says he'll trollback a Hot Shot in 35 size in clear water, but then jump to a larger Tadpolly (or it's replacement Clattertrap) when visibility drops. Pink, cop car, and blues have been productive color patterns recently. But any good angler knows it's best to be prepared to change colors if something isn't working.

Steelhead expert Bill Herzog prefers using spoons when fishing for the big steelhead trout - especially in low visibility conditions. He's written a book called,Spoon Fishing for Steelhead
exposing all of his secrets! It's a bit advanced, but full of great information.

Be sure to read the regs first - as this is a special trout fishery which requires single, barbless hooks, no bait or scent, and knotless nets.

Dolly Varden and sea-run cutthroat trout are also available for catching on the Skagit River right now - especially below the forks on the lower end.

On the Olympic Penisula, the Sol Duc remains open to steelheading through the end of the month. This is one of those rivers where anglers may legally keep one wild-stock steelhead per season - although most anglers release their catch.

For more information on Washington Trout Fishing, visit www.wdfw.wa.gov.

For information on drift-fishing for steelhead trout, click here.

Labels: Skagit River, Steelhead fishing, Steelhead Trout, Washington Trout Fishing

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