Upper Skagit Basin Opening for Limited Steelhead Fishery
Spey-fishermen who’ve bucket-listed Washington’s once mighty Skagit River system have reason to rejoice. WDFW has launched a catch and release (C&R) steelhead fishery which opened April 14-15, continues April 18-22, and ends April 25-29. Regional Fish Program Manager, Edward Eleazer, tells me this is the first time this classic, big-water steelhead mecca, has seen a swung fly since 2010.
Actually, that’s not entirely true. Skagit spey-lords have tested the waters while swinging for dolly varden for a few months now under a C&R gamefish opener. Additionally, between releasing dollies, anglers have been deputized to slay invasive Atlantic salmon, which made it to the Skagit as the result of an infamous fish farm debacle this past August in Puget Sound. But, now that NOAA has approved a five-year C&R steelhead fishery, it really will be game-on. Toad-hosting tributaries, like the Sauk River will once again become the epicenter for two-handed steelheading in the Northwest.
Though a few fish have been reported, feedback has been glum with torrential downpours flushing the basin during the first two-day period. However, snow levels have remained relatively low and the upper Skagit and Sauk are looking like they’ll be in shape soon.
Anglers who have been restricted to fishing for dolly varden on Washington's Skagit River can now tie on the Intruders and go for steel, too. Anglers have a short window to enjoy the fishery. So, as they say, get after it while you can.10 Days to Hook a Skagit Basin Steelhead
“Be there or be square,” as Richie Cunningham might say. Ten days remain to swing for what Eleazer dubbed the “healthiest stock of native steelhead in the entire Puget Sound drainage.” Eleazer added that funding for fishery monitoring (creel census) was not approved by the state. So, if you wade into this fishery to swing for these legendary fish, don’t forget to thank what Eleazer calls his “Motley Crew.” These are individual WDFW staff from around the region who have volunteered to put boots on the beach and conduct creel surveys, without whom this momentous occasion would not have happened.
The crew will interview anglers to establish the number of steelhead encounters. If a magic number is reached, the fishery could be closed earlier.
“It is critical that this work continues in order to fully restore wild steelhead – our state fish – to the Skagit basin.”, Eleazer said.
I happen to agree. And I would urge everyone to cooperate and report as accurately as possible—our future Skagit system opportunities may depend on it.
Skagit Steelhad Gear Restrictions
The gear restrictions developed by January’s public ‘workshops’ are onerous. Although, fishery managers stopped short of a fly-fishing only designation, they have prohibited fishing from power boats. As you can imagine with a C&R fishery, it’s single-point, barbless hooks only—bait prohibited. More details on the fishery and open areas of the drainage are available here.
Until you can get there, cross your stripping fingers and hope it stays open!