Quillayute River, WA

"When Uncle Dan calls and tells you to come fish, you drop what you are doing and go fish." explained my roommate Dustin on a Friday. Unfortunately we still had to work so we came up Saturday instead. Being so low in the system the fish move through this area fast and when the conditions are perfect. Which finding those windows when the nets are out is rare to none. Though this would be the case this weekend. Dan told us that we missed a ridiculous day Friday but there were still plenty of fish to be had. Now I've only really spinner fished for salmon in Alaska so it took me a while to get going. Dustin shot out with a bang catching I think 3 fish before I landed one. However by the end of the day we had caught 8 fish between the three of us and I lost a ninth as we were cleaning up.
Sunday was a little different and really slow. No one was really hooking fish. We moved slowly down river as the tide fell all day until we came to a nice hole that seamed it would hold fish. Using a pink flash and glo Dustin was making smart as remarks about I hooked the first fish and landed about a 18# King. We had caught no kings the previous day. About when we were going to call it quits in the hole I caught the toad pictured below. We were mostly geared for coho so after a good chase and fight we finally got this guy to the boat. Dan had told Dustin not to say anything about how big it was while I was fighting it because he wanted me to remain focused. Picked up a coho as we road the tide back up to the launch.

Summary:
Location: Quillayute River
Time: 8am - 5pm
Rod: 10-20lb spinning rods
Tackle: Orange, Purple, and Chartreuse #5 vibrax spinners and pink flash and glow with pink hoochie skirt at hook.
Fish: 8/9 day 1 and 3/3 day 2
Species: Coho and Chinook Salmon
Biggest Fish: 34# Chinook
Smallest Fish: 8# Coho
Rating: 9.9/10

Satsop River, WA (Steelhead/Coho)

Sometimes you just want to get out and float the river. I don't particularly like floating the lower Nooche and with limited time after work the Satsop is a nice quick float. No luck but hey at least we tried.

Summary:
Location: Satsop River from mouth of Middle Fork to Hwy 12 bridge.
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Rod: Medium Bait Casting Rods
Tackle: Various Kwikfish Plugs
Fish: 0
Species: Searching for whatever!
Biggest Fish: N/A
Smallest Fish: N/A
Rating: 2/10

Pacific Ocean, Westport, WA (Coho/Chinook)

One of the nice things about working on a large project in Aberdeen is someone has to have a boat and that person was my coworker and friend Nik. Having missed an opportunity to go out earlier in the week because of work I was excited to go today. Launching out of Westport we trolled mostly by the casino. I only ended up with the one King although they had killed it a few days earlier. We also found a floating moon fish which was pretty cool.

Summary:

Location: Pacific Ocean near Quanault Casino
Time: 7am - 7pm
Rod: Gear rods
Tackle: flashers and bait
Fish: 1
Species: Coho and Chinook Salmon
Biggest Fish: 18#
Smallest Fish: N/A
Rating: 6/10

Metolius River, OR

After staying with my mom for a few days at eagle crest and getting some golf in, I headed to the last stop on my Central Oregon tour. My favorite place in the world to fish the Metolius River. Boy was I glad I made the stop. The fishing was crazy good and I landed almost everything you could think of though I did loose quite a few fish. Most my takes were indicator or euro nymphing but there was some action on late stones. The rainbow pictured below took a pats stone and the brown trout below took a blue psycho prince.

Summary:
Location: Blue hole to Gorge Campground.
Time: 9am - 8pm
Rod: 5 wt w/ floating line, 5 wt w/ sinking tip
Tackle: 8 black stone nymph, 12 rainbow warrior, 14 zebra midge, 12 copper john hybrid, 10 Rogue Stone, 8 black and brown Pat's Stone, 14 blue psycho prince, 14 hot wire
Fish: 4/13 on trout + white fish
Species: White Fish, Rainbow, Browns
Biggest Fish: 16" brown
Smallest Fish: 12" rainbow
Rating: 9.5/10 (lost more fish than I ever have before. 

Crane Prairie & Wickiup Resevoir, OR

Some other intel I had gathered was fishing Crane Prairie and Wickiup Reservoir. Crane Prairie was burned before the reservoir was filled. So scattered throughout the lake are a bunch of dead, burnt, limbless trees. The method I was told to fish was called the crono-bobber method. Basically fly fishing with a bobber or in this case a 9' 6x leader, Ice Cream Cone midge and a strike indicator at the leader not. Was told to use extremely light tippet as the fish were leader shy but if I was successful the fish were to be monster rainbows. I was also told that the best fishing is from the second you can legally fish in the morning until the sun hits the water and no later than maybe 9am. So with my pontoon and crono-bobber rig I set out and tried my luck. Just as the sun was coming over the mountains my indicator went down. The fish looked close to 20" and like any rainbow in the lake had a pot belly to go with it so I would estimate it was over 4lbs. Unfortunately it wrapped a tree and broke off. I stayed out until 9am but then packed up and headed over for Wickiup.

Wickiup was a whole other ball game. Here you are fishing for monster brown trout eating tiny flies. Recommended at this time was and 18 or 20 callibaetis fly. I saw several fish sipping on the surface and a few more below as the lake was low and gin clear. Was not succeful in hooking up and mostly fished the intake portion of the lake as this is where I was told to go.

Summary:
Location: Craine Prairie Resevour and Wickiup Resevoir.
Time: 7am - 9pm
Rod: 5 wt w/ floating line, 5 wt w/ sinking tip
Tackle: Ice-Cream Cone midge, and various callibaetis patterns.
Fish: 0
Species: Rainbow and Browns
Biggest Fish: N/A
Smallest Fish: N/A
Rating: 6/10

Upper Deschutes, OR

So on my way out the last time I was tipped off that there is a way to catch big brook trout where I like to fish on the Upper Deschutes near the blue holes. I even found a fly fishing video as evidence that there were a lot of them. So this trip I was looking for the big brookies. When I say big the larger ones average 18"+. To target them you want to swing a size 10 or 8 brown crystal wolly bugger under every fallen tree and there are plenty of them. Swing you fly and if it doesn't get eaten or snagged cast again until one of the two happen. If the later happens and you get snagged, then simply walk down to the tree, unhook your fly, drop it on the other side of the log, and swing the next fallen tree. Eventually, you are destined to hook a crazed brookie. For me this happened on the second tree I cast after the three blue holes. It was crazy! If I haven't painted the picture there are a lot of fallen trees including the one you just swung him out from. So a good part of the battle is keeping him out from the trees which means putting him in the riffle. One of the coolest fish I have caught in my life. I dont know where the picture from the camera is but I took a picture on my phone to sent to friends.

Summary:
Location: Near the blue holes
Time: 11am - 8pm
Rod: 5 wt w/ floating line, 5 wt w/ sinking tip
Tackle: Brown crystal wolley bugger size 8/10, 14 parachute adams, and 14 brown elk hair caddis.
Fish: 20+
Species: White Fish, Rainbow
Biggest Fish: 17" brookie
Smallest Fish: 3" rainbow
Rating: 10/10

Crooked River, OR

Took a while to get on the road. Had to get my dog up to date on vaccinations, still haven't completed shopping, decided to get my hair cut, and so on. I did make it and looked at each camp ground again to find a great spot at Chimney Rock. Low and behold after I got paid and all rigged up with a foam olive caddis and orange scud dropper a lightning/thunder storm rolled in. Didn't have camp set up so went and sat in the car. Afraid I wasn't going to get back out tonight and having only 10 cast in, the thoughts began to cross my mind. Should I have started somewhere else, why did I pay, should I just go to bed...? The rain stopped and I charged back up the river. Good for me I lost that scud on a back cast battling the wind, I changed to a gray parachute Adams on a scud hook with some red tinsel out the butt. A few cast later I landed the first fish and shortly after the second. Deciding it was getting too late to legally fish I called it a night. I'll take my red-band and rainbow and am looking forward to tomorrow.  This week is going to be a riot!

Summary:
Location: Crooked River, OR
Time: 1pm - 9pm
Rod: 5 wt w/ floating line, 5 wt w/ sinking tip
Tackle: 12 foam olive caddis, 14 scuds, and 12 parachute adams.
Fish: 2
Species: Rainbow & Redband
Biggest Fish: 12" rainbow
Smallest Fish: 11" redband
Rating: 7/10

Wynoochee River, WA

Seamed a little early for summer runs but you never know. Fishing the diversion Dustin landed himself a brute. I saw a small pod swim past me a little down the river.

Summary:
Location: Diversion Dam
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Rod: 7wt fly rod and spinning gear
Tackle: nymph with glow bug and gold spoon
Fish: 1
Species: Steelhead
Biggest Fish: 12#
Smallest Fish: N/A
Rating: 8/10

Westport, WA (Charter Salmon and Rock Fish)

Company likes to take us out fishing. Caught lots of fish myself but the boat didnt quite limit out. Was a great time.

Summary:
Location: Chartered out of Westport
Time: 7am - 4pm
Rod: Gear rods
Tackle: Hearing
Fish: 10+
Species: Chinook, Coho, and Seabass
Biggest Fish: 21# Chinook
Smallest Fish: 2# sea bass
Rating: 7/10

Yakima River, WA

It was time to take Dustin and his girlfriend out on the Yakima River. Water was in good shape but we were a touch off on the fishing. Dustin finally popped his cherry with a nice cutthroat. Towards the end of the run I pulled out the sculpzilla and stripped up a nice rainbow.

Summary:
Location: Ringer to Big Pine
Time: 9am - 9pm
Rod: 5 wt w/ floating line, 5 wt w/ sinking tip
Tackle: Double the pats for double the fun, hair ear nymphs, chubbies, various nymphs or midges and the good old sculpzilla
Fish: 2
Species: Rainbow and Cutthroat
Biggest Fish: 16" rainbow
Smallest Fish: 12" cuttie
Rating: 7/10

Sylvia Lake, WA

Sometimes you have to try Sylvia in June because she is still producing.


Summary:
Location: Sylvia Lake south end
Time: Weekends and week nights
Rod: 5 wt w/ floating line, 5 wt w/ sinking tip
Tackle: 8 black and copper wolley bugger
Fish: 5
Species: Rainbow
Biggest Fish: 6#
Smallest Fish: 5#
Rating: 9/10

Metolius River, OR

I pride myself on knowing this river. Some days it is hot and other days it is very difficult. This particular trip it was hot as heck. The first night I went 10/14 landing a brown, whitefish, and rainbow in the same hole within 10 cast. While at camp a guy from Colorado saw me tying up some flys and came to talk story with me. He had fish for 3 days with no luck. I told him to find me the next day and I promised to catch him not just a fish but a trout. Within 15 minutes of working Doug's hole he lost a fish and about 5 minutes latter he landed this nice 17" red band.


Summary:
Location: From blue hole to george camp ground
Time: 9am - 8pm
Rod: 5 wt w/ floating line, 5 wt w/ sinking tip
Tackle: 8 black stone nymph, 16 rainbow warrior, 18 zebra midge, 16 copper john hybrid, 10 Rogue Stone, 8 black and brown Pat's Stone, 16 hot wire, sculpin patterns and much more
Fish: 17
Species: White Fish, Rainbow, Browns, Bulls, Redbands
Biggest Fish: 12" whitfish
Smallest Fish: 8" rainbow
Rating: 10/10

This little guy hit a sculpin

Failor Lake, WA

Checking stock reports we heard that Failor gets some nice fish too. We hadn't fished it yet and unlike Sylvia it is only open seasonally. Ventured up there using the same techniques as Sylvia. Most productive spots were straight out from the dam but near the other bank and all of that south shore about 100 yds out.

Summary:
Location: Failor Lake, all over as we were searching for good water
Time: 7am - 3pm
Rod: 5 wt w/ floating line, 5 wt w/ sinking tip
Tackle: Black and Copper wolley bug (should mention I tie this and can't find it in stores)
Fish: 10+
Species: Rainbow
Biggest Fish: 18"
Smallest Fish: 11"
Rating: 9/10

Sylvia Lake, WA

Sylvia gets planted every year before Spring break with brood stock trout. We had some luck before but figured out what fly works best and this kind of has become a month of April catch fest. These are a few fish caught over several days. Best to fish the south side of the bridge for the big boys.

Summary:
Location: Sylvia Lake south end
Time: Weekends and week nights
Rod: 5 wt w/ floating line, 5 wt w/ sinking tip
Tackle: 8 black and copper wolley bugger
Fish: 20+
Species: Rainbow
Biggest Fish: 6#
Smallest Fish: 3#
Rating: 10/10

4/7/14

4/7/14

4/10/14

4/26/14

Wynoochee River, WA

Went out to try out luck on the Wynoochee which had been in and out of shape with the rain. Wasnt perfect conditions but we were able to snug up a fish. Rooted this girl out of a nice spot near a log we had never fished before, but the conditions were right.

Summary:
Location: 7400 line to White Bridge
Time: 6am - 5pm
Rod: Spinning rods and bait caster rods
Tackle: Plugs, beads, and jigs
Fish: 1
Species: Steelhead
Biggest Fish: 11# hen
Smallest Fish:
Rating: 6/10

Bogachiel River, WA

This river was also a first time float for me but not that technical of a stretch. There were guys fly fishing the right bank just after we put in so we went to the far side of the river. Dustin was bobber dogging when I told him to put down one of the plug rods. It took maybe 3 strokes before the rod went down. In the process of setting the hook and getting the rod out he tipped wrapped the fish rod with the other rod. I got the boat parked and jumped forward carefully clipping the line off between runs. We were able to land the fish. Shortly after that I gave Dustin the oars for some practice as we went through some frog water. I grabbed a bobber and worm and started messing around calling myself a bass master. Next thing I know a fish grabs the worm and throws a tantrum. Got several head shakes before he spit the hook. Continuing down we plugged some water where we caught a nice spawned out buck. Then we got to a hole that looked good. Dustin decided to change one of the plugs to a Green Pirate and are we glad he did. Working all the way to the bottom of the hole a giant hen took the plug. I believe it to be one of Dustin's biggest of all time. Knowing we missed some water at the top of the hole we circled back and ran plugs again and found another reasonable fish. Phenomenal day that will go down in the books as one of my favorites.

Summary:
Location: Put in at Wilson and took out at Confluence
Time: 7am - 4pm
Rod: Spinning rod and bait caster
Tackle: Plugs (catching on Sugar Daddy Mag Lip and Green Pirate Kwikfish), bobber and worm, and bobber dogging yarn.
Fish: 4/5
Species: Steelhead
Biggest Fish: 18#
Smallest Fish: 10#
Rating: 10/10

Clearwater River, WA

I have never fished this river before so it was a little exciting to go down for the first time. The flows where perfect and the water was a great color. This river can be rough on a glass boat if the water is too low. Fortunately it wasn't and we made it safely down the river. Eventually Kelly caught a steelhead on a bead toward the bottom third. We both landed a few bull fish at the bottom on beads.

Summary:
Location: Put in just below the bridge and floated almost to the mouth.
Time: 7am - 4pm
Rod: Baitcasters and Spinners
Tackle: Bead and bobber, plugs, and jigs
Fish: 3
Species: White Fish, German Brown, Rainbow, Red-Band Rainbow
Biggest Fish: 8# Steelhead
Smallest Fish: 14" bull fish
Rating: 7/10

Westport, WA (Westhaven Beach - Surf Perch)

My buddy Paul likes to come out duck hunting and we usually end up spending the afternoons chasing surf perch. This is evident with the camo makeup still on the face. Was a good day and we caught several perch in the surf.

Summary:
Location: Just down the beach from Westhaven
Time: 3pm - 5pm
Rod: Medium Spinning rod
Tackle: Crappie rig with grub plastics on the hook
Fish: 10+
Species: Surf Perch
Biggest Fish: 11"
Smallest Fish: 8"
Rating: 7/10