Ask Dennis(Editorials, questions and answers) 1/6/02 Dennis I just moved here from the east coast where Trout is the game and a twenty inch fish is a major event. I've accepted the fact that I'm probably going to have to completely re-gear (my heaviest outfit is an Orvis HLS 8' 6wt.) Problem is, I've never fished (or had to) a sinking-tip system in my life, and can't imagine how it would even feel. Is it like dead-drift nymphing? Is the fly on a tight swing the whole cast? Is the basic idea quartering downstream and walking? Also, I hope you can clear up my confusion with the whole license thing. Where I'm from, you just but your year long license (year round trout season), buy your trout stamp, make sure your license is on you, and release all your fish (anywhere back east that's worth fishing 99.9% of the time is c&r only). What is the deal with the Catch Record Card? I figure as a professional guide you have lots of experience with these things. Do you really have to carry this thing around and write down every fish you catch? Are there year round resident fish worth catching here, or is it just a choice between dinky mountain cutthroats (not that I don't love small stream fishing) and anadromous (if they're in the river it's possible to catch them, if they're not, then it isn't) salmon and steelhead? I get the impression that Steelheading is like Atlantic Salmon fishing in that it's a big undertaking with no guarantees of success even once in a season. Is there such a thing here as a low pressure fishing trip where you can pretty much assume you'll hang three or four "decent" fish? Also, are there "Fly-Fishing Only" creeks here, and, if so, is the fishing way better in them, as I'm used to? I appreciate your time in answering these (probably dumb) questions. As I look over them myself, I get the feeling that I should just sign up for one of your schools and it will all pretty much make sense.Any advice, though, would be welcome. Tight Lines! Josh Hi Josh, Ok, Lets see...... We use 5-7 wt. line systems for our summer time steelhead.....but for winter sinktip fishing.....7-9 wt. rods and lines are better suited. We have started manufacturing our lines.....the sink tip system we use is called the Yancey line. We build these, special order. Michael and I will have fly rod setups, ready for you to try.....before you go out and buy a bunch of "stuff" It will feel similar to fishing a sinking line on your 6 wt. Will you like it? At first it will feel weird.....but when a ten pound steelhead grabs your fly and heads south.....You Won't Care!......Trust me, its worth it. The steelhead swing is a variation to the downstream swing.....we teach our own technique in our steelhead classes. What makes steelhead hard is: A) There are not many of them B) The reason I have a job is because the likelihood of you stumbling into a steelhead, is remote. Imagine renting a boat a rowing out in the Florida Keys for a tarpon....it's like that. The reason only a few anglers catch them, is because most do not know how. I have written much on flyfishing steelhead on site.....check out the Stories and Articles section. We will fight a steelhead or two on most of our guide trips......but we chase them, 200 days a year! I would hope we would get good at it. Licenses: You will need a freshwater license and steelhead punch card.....you will record the hatchery steelhead you kill. Release all wild ones. The West side of the Cascades, you will be fishing for the anadromous fish.....steelhead, Dollies, Searun Cutthroat, salmon species......unless you fish lakes, or travel to eastern Washington. The closest we have to a Blue Ribbon stream would be the Yakima River in eastern Washington. Quality waters and Fly-only waters are your better fishing experiences......generally, but not only. You are right. If you are serious about chasing steelhead, one of the steelhead schools is probably the quickest road. Good luck! D Hello D, Hope the holidays treated you well. Do you know the date on your chosen river trip, and is that still available??? Also, do you still have an opening on your Queets trip (Mar.4)? I am very interested. I made a yancey line, I need to work on my line splicing, any good reading you suggest. Also I seem to remember you saying you favor type 4 & 5 sink tip heads, where can I find those? I managed to find rio type 3 & 6. Lastly, have you used any of the Gamakatsu fly hooks, and how do you feel about them? Thanks Jon Jonathan, Good to hear from you. Chosen River: Chosen River is a remote stream over on the Olympic Peninsula.....which attracts very little fishing pressure. We fish it from March 5- April 15th. Michael has the most openings. Queets School: Awesome! The Queets will remind you of what fishing the Skagit must have been like, a hundred years ago. You will love it. Heads: Type 4 8 wt. shooting head.....is golden Type 4 10 wt. is equivalent to the type 5 for an 8 wt..........both lines should cut and looped at 15 feet. Gam. Hooks are great fly hooks......but I don't use them because they are too expensive for the 1000 flies I will go through in a steelhead year. Best of fishing to you, D 12/30/01 Dennis I just want to start by saying thank you for getting me started with salmon fishing on the fly on a day trip a few years back( i believe 3)!!!! As I became more and more exited by catching fish that day I distinctly remember you saying "If you think this is fun, wait until steelhead get into your blood"...........well, they have!!!! It is worse than any medical disease known to man. I have since moved to Alaska(2 years ago) and despite all of the salmon fishing here I have gravitated toward large rainbows and steelhead. There is just something about these majestic fish.... I didn't just write to go on and on.....although this wouldn't be difficult. Since I last saw you I have spent a fair amount of time on the water with the above pursuits and done quite a bit of reading........bottom line is that now that I know at least a tiny bit about the subject I would like to try to learn from someone whose opinions and experience I trust...yours. With that.....when do you fish the olympic peninsula streams...the chosen river? What rivers do you fish in early to mid February?......as this is the time I may have available.....the big question is do you have any slots available? ThanksShawn Hi Shawn, Good to hear from you! Thank you for the kind words. You definitely sound like you have caught the steelhead passion.......a man after my own heart. Don't fish Alaska... ..you'll only get spoiled. Aren't tidewater steelhead awesome? Almost as fun as surface steelhead...... February: Thanks for asking.......I will fish the North south streams (Sauk, Skagit, Stilly, and Skykomish Rivers) until the end of Feb........then over to the Chosen River on the Olympic Peninsula with Mike until April 15th.........possibly the 30th, unless WDFW opens the C&R Sauk/Skagit fishery.....then the last two weeks of April would be back on my home waters. Tell me when you are scheduled to be in Washington.......and we will make a plan. Best to you in the Christmas northlands, D Mr. Dickson, How do u do? My name is Rob and i'm a steelhead fisherman(catch and release only). I havent caught one yet on a fly rod but this is my first winter trying. I have an 8 foot 7 weight rod with little backbone that has a few years under its belt, but it worked for kings in the summer time. I am wondering if i am wasting my time if i don't have a longer rod. I'm going to get a better one eventually but i don't know what to get a spey or just a single handed rod of sufficient length. Man, conditions are tough on the stilly and there is a BUNCH OF PEOPLE, thats too bad. When the river is low and clear do you down size in size of fly that much? I'm just trying to figure out certain patterns that work in different water temperatures and clarity but considering i still havent hooked into a steelhead it will be a while before i have a pattern worked out. Oh yeah, also, have u ever fished Pillchuck Creek? Its a tributary to the stilly and i know there is steelhead in it because i met a flyfisherman one summer that gave me some "effective patterns" to try for the summer runs, but i was wondering if it would be worth fishing at all? NEway, i think your site is very nice, keep up the good work, and fishing. Sincerely, Rob Hi Rob, Thanks for the inquiry..... The function of the steelhead rod, is to cast the correct flyline, for the waters you fish. Most guys get this backwards. They buy a rod, then match a line. For the low gradient streams such as the Skagit, or the Lower Skykomish, a type 4 15' sinktip, will fish most waters. Higher gradient streams such as the Sauk or the Stilly N.F......you would want to fish a type 5. Don't confuse large rivers with large lines.......or even large rods, for that matter. Why? Gradient determines river velocity......and velocity determines how much sink rate to get the fly down near the steelhead. My article entitled Flylines Are what Catch Fish found in the Stories and Articles section of www.flyfishsteelhead.com will complain in detail. Flyrods: The double handed flyrods are popular, but certainly not necessary for winter steelhead fishing.......especially on a stream like Pilchuck Creek. No Room! I fish steelhead some 200 days a year.....not counting my own fishing time. Probably 40% of my clients fish the big sticks, and they catch fish...... but no better, no worse than my single handers. If I thought for a minute, the big sticks are a decided advantage in bringing more steelhead to hand.......I would have all my clients and all my schools, fishing them. What are my client outfits? The G. Loomis GL 2 8 wt. with the new Yancey multi -- tip flyline. Many shops will carry the GL 2. Hook Line and Sinker, Smokey Point. ..and Swedes Flyshop in Woodinville, to name a couple. The flyline can be ordered through flyfishsteelhead.com........ask for Mike. Flies: Way to much is made about flies. The difference between steelhead and Trout is; trout feed and steelhead don't. What I teach my students in my steelhead classes is the analogy of the kitten and the string. (Please read Steelhead Flies: Fact and Fiction) Take a string and pull it in front of kitten.......he will pounce on it, Right? It is just a reflective action. What color of string is the most important? Doesn't really matter. What does matter is; get the fly in front of the steelhead, and bring it in "Low and Slow" and let him take a swing at it, just like the kitten and the string? Do I have flies that I have confidence in? Sure.....but I try not to make a big deal about it.......its where and how they are fished........now that is a big deal. Do I Change up for temperature? No, only for water clarity........temperature will only determine if I fish the surface (summer-fall) or near the bottom......winter-spring. Pilchuck Creek: Yes, I have fished it since I was a boy........but I wouldn't advise it for a novice. Water is primarily pocket water......places hard to fish the fly....... .not a lot of hatchery steelhead, and the wild fish come in after the river closes. Try the North Fork Stilly, in the Cicero area. Best of luck, D hi, just got done reading fishing report. sounds like fishing is good. been up on the sauk and skagit, few here and there. need to set up a trip, however would like to fish the sky. let me know. still thinking of the wynooke? looking for a hook. any recommendations? use the dy rekie 730. good hook, but hard to find. also what does 2x, 1x long and strong mean? also you talked about small flies. like what? smaller hook size 4 and not so much marabou? hope you had a great christmas. thanks for your help. have a great new year. chris Hey Chris, Happy holidays to you. Sky: Sure, look at Feb. 12th or 18th Hooks: My favorite hook, before they discontinued it......was the Mustad #2 3906B The two hooks I probably use the most for winter fishing is the Mustad 36890 in # 1-4, TMC 7989, and the Mustad 9671.....for tying the Cop Car. X long & Strong: means "times"....like in math. i.e.......1X strong means extra strong... ..2X strong means twice as strong. Same thing applies the length. Fat & Flavor: I use to kid my wife not to buy non fat.........means non "flavor" The 9671 is 1X long........I never go beyond 1X.......lose too many fish. I like medium to light wire hooks (without going springy) because they penetrate better. The Stout hooks are fat hooks.......like the ever popular TMC 7999.......poor hook penetration and they make such a hole that the hook falls out during the fight. Same thing can be said for the T 700......very bad hook. Low water patterns: You can show a much smaller pattern, without giving up the hook, simply by tying a small and/or sparser fly on the same hook. Spey patterns tied on the same color combinations, as your prawn flies, or big and gaudy marabous, will present a much smaller profile on the same hook. Fish more neutral colors such as blues, purple, blacks, greens......and stay away from the Hot florescent colors.....unless you are willing to go really small. Just tying your marabous twice as sparse in softer colors, can be the ticket. Look forward to seeing you in 2002! D
12/23/01 Bob Mottram; The News Tribune Some Washington lawmakers may attempt during the next legislative session to strip the state Fish and Wildlife Commission of its authority to set the state's fish and wildlife policy. The lawmakers would create a new oversight committee of legislators to set policy for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and would relegate the Fish and Wildlife Commission to an advisory role. Trouble has been brewing over several issues between some lawmakers and the nine-person commission, whose members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Those issues include cougar hunting, duck hunting and steelhead fishing. The Fish and Wildlife Commission lost its policy-making power once before, in 1988, when then-Gov. Booth Gardner took it for himself in return for a promise to provide general fund revenues to help support the department. Washington voters restored power to the commission in 1995 by overwhelming passage of Referendum 45. "The premise of Referendum 45 was that we were going to take politics out of wildlife again," said Ed Owens, a natural resources consultant from Olympia. "Yet the commission is swayed by who shows up and how many of them show up at a commission meeting." Owens said the legislation under consideration by lawmakers would create an oversight committee of six senators and six House members, with no more than three on each side from the same political party. Members would be appointed by the House speaker and Senate president. The committee would be structured along the lines of the Legislative Transportation Committee, which oversees the Washington Department of Transportation. The new committee would establish goals, policies and objectives for the Fish and Wildlife Department and monitor their implementation, Owens said. It also would establish basic fishing and hunting rules and possibly set fishing and hunting seasons. All of the powers that currently reside with the Fish and Wildlife Commission would transfer to the new committee. Rep. Jim Buck (R-Joyce), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and its former chairman, said he and other lawmakers had discussed such a bill "primarily because there is no direct accountability to voters with what happens with the Wildlife Commission. "There is a conflict between the Legislature and the Wildlife Commission over who makes policy," Buck said. "Even though the (state law) says the commission is the policy-making body, its policies are really rule-making that are within the context of what we the Legislature determine is the direction we want the department to go in." A major point of friction between lawmakers and commission members has been cougar hunting in the aftermath of Initiative-655. That was a measure sponsored and promoted by a national animal-rights organization that outlawed the hunting of cougars and bears with hounds, which is the only way cougars can be hunted efficiently. In the years immediately following passage of that measure, reports of encounters between cougars and people increased, and the Legislature finally passed a bill to liberalize the hound rules somewhat for reasons of public safety. "Frankly, we as a Legislature made a policy decision that we were going to have a limited reinstatement of cougar hunting (with hounds)," Buck said. "And I think the commission erred in trying to modify that policy decision; in trying to fit the interests of some interest groups in spite of the policy that we made." The commission "made it so difficult to take out a cougar," Buck said, "that it was almost not a viable process." A similar thing is happening with steelhead, Buck said. The commission is considering proposals by the Department of Fish and Wildlife either to prohibit anglers entirely from retaining wild steelhead trout or to standardize retention rules statewide and make them generally more conservative. The issue has been controversial. The commission's ban this year on use of electrically powered duck decoys, known as "robo ducks," is another example, Buck said. "There was no discussion back and forth between the Legislature and the commission about what's a policy decision and what's not," he said. "And we've harped on it long enough that apparently they're not interested in having a discussion." Russ Cahill, chairman of the Fish and Wildlife Commission, said some lawmakers were upset "about some narrow things - robo ducks, access to public lands - and they criticized us for not going as far as they thought we would in getting hound hunting back in." Some lawmakers have told him the commission is going beyond legislative policy, Cahill said, but policy can be hard to discern. "If they want us to do certain things, they can pass statutes that tell us to do it," he said. Ed Owens, the resources consultant, said of the potential legislation: "I think it may be a shot across the (commission's) bow. I think it's going to be an opportunity for some compromises to be reached." Owens said he has found in travels to meetings of fishing and hunting groups around the state that "it's clear there is a pretty high level of angst/anger about how the commission has been working." He is surprised, Owens said, that he has not heard outright opposition from sports groups to the concept of a legislative oversight committee. He said he sent information about the subject to more than 200 outdoors organizations, and among the 15 or 20 that replied so far, "there's a willingness to take a good, hard look at this." John Kelly of the King County Outdoor Sports Council said his group believes the issue "needs to get on the table and at least get discussed" during the next legislative session. "We feel the present system is not working," he said. "And that's a hard thing to say, because I helped to get(Referendum 45) passed" by the Legislature in 1995. Kelly said that during the last three or four years, his group has become alarmed over "the rejection of science by several on the commission, and substituting basically their own science (for that of the department's professional staff). "Some of these commissioners are developing very close relationships with special interests," he said. Reach staff writer Bob Mottram at 253-597-8640,or bob.mottram@mail.tribnet.com © The News Tribune Dear Mr. Dickson: I have recently been thinking of taking up steelhead and salmon fly fishing. I currently drift-fish and fairly successfully too. But I have some questions: Owing to my budget I have picked out the St. Croix Pro series rod at 9'6" #8. Is this a suitable rod to begin with? Second: What kind of line should I select? Half the shops say I should get a sink-tip rated at number 4 and half suggest buying the new multi-tip line with loop system which offers a #6, #3 and #1 sink tip along with a float tip as well that are interchangeable. Third: How best to tie on a leader to a line and how long? I just finished reading your article on the internet. Very interesting - but I am interested in finding out if, again, a series of loops would be a good way to tie up leaders to fly-line. Thanks for reading this lenghty Email. Any help you could offer would be mighty appreciated. Yours, John Hi John, Thanks for the inquiry, The rod: The rod is a little soft action for my taste.......but certainly a good starter rod. The Flyline: The best line in my opinion, is the prototype that hasn't quite hit the market yet. The Yancey line is a multiple head system, that can be cast conventional or spey cast........perfect for your single handed rod. We are taking orders.....as we speak, happy to build one for you. BTW: For all you listeners who already have a multiple head system, I some really good news for you. We are now building the Yancey line......without the heads.......so you can use yours, on this great line. John, we put loop connectors on the end of our flylines so you can use a loop to loop system, in attaching your leaders. Use a surgeon loop or a perfection loop in the butt section of the leader. I am a great believer in the loop system. It is strong, and very versatile. Best of fishing, D Could you explain the "preset" hook up or point me to where on your site it could be found. I become a big fan of the hands off approach (the flyline or reel that is) this past year. Thanks for your site. David David, Preset is a concept that I stole from a page in Bonefishing the flats. The fish would be working the fly on the bottom.......but when the line came tight.....it might be the fish but it might be just the bottom...... If the angler stuck.....and it was a bonefish, cool.....fish on! But if the line coming tight was nothing more than the fly snagging the corral bottom then: a) at the very least the fly was taken out of the fish zone......lost opportunity or b) at worst, it would spook the fish......and possibly every fish around it. Guides found a better approach....instead of striking what they hoped was fish...... simply to tension back, and see if the flyline wriggles........if it does.....then strike! If it does not.......let the fly continue, and the fish can still take the fish because it has only moved a foot or so. It works so good! You can read all about it in the Stories and Articles section called Cold Water Takes. We have come to call it the "preset." Instead of lifting, as in the article, now we simply pull the rod arm straight back until the line tensions.....If the line comes alive..... we set, if it doesn't we let it go. I teach the preset in all my steelhead sinktip schools, now. Try it, you will be amazed how well it works! Best of fishing, D Dennis my fishing buddies turned me on to your fishing site, and I really got excited to learn how to fish for steelhead. I have trout fished all my life and regularly catch silvers in the sound. To accelerate my learning curve, I would really like to book a trip with you. My information is listed below. I don't know when it is typically the best time to go out for winter run, so I hope that you will steer me in the right direction (i.e. should I wait until Feb-Mar). More than anything, I was hoping to learn the basics and then book another trip latter in the season. Most of the time I have friends or clients to split the trip, but was wondering if you ever pair up singles? I will continue to practice on the Sky, hope to hear from you soon. Thanks. Bill Hi Bill, Thank you for the inquiry.....and thank your friends for the recommendation! Glad you enjoy flyfishsteelhead.com I noticed you mentioned you were looking to to expand your horizons into steelhead. We have Steelhead Schools on the Sauk & Skagit Rivers, just for anglers, as yourself. We take six anglers at a time. You can read about each school on site. You can join a group or put together a group of your own! Of course we can also do the guide day, later. Let me know how I can help. Best to you thru the holidays, D Hi Dennis, A high percentage of winter steelhead seem to take during the "hang down", and I usually end up pulling the fly out of their mouth. What method usually gets you a hookup under these circumstances. Thanks and Happy Holidays Reno Howdy, This is a very tuff question, because there simply isn't one single thing that you can do to prevent the short takes when steelhead bite after the line straightens directly downstream. (The hang-down.) Wade shallow......especially morning, evenings and dirty water conditions.......steelhead will be holding in very soft currents, as long as they feel secure, and there is rocks to break up the flow. I teach anglers that when they wade a pool.....whatever that distance from shore, they are standing.......the angler is saying, "there are no steelhead holding between me and my shore." Nothing is more annoying than coming to a pool at first light, and see some guy standing out in the fish holding water..... Concentrate on slowing the fly in the swing: Steelhead generally take in the lower end of the swing......because the fly finally slows down, and comes close to the bottom towards shore. "Low and slow." Keep that hook sharp: Where the steelhead is allowed to turn down on a fly during the swing, (hopefully taking the fly in the corner of the mouth......which only happens on occasionn)......The steelhead which takes the fly at the end of the swing, tends to be more of a "nip." Over 90% of these fish (I am talking sinktips now, not surface rising steelhead) will be hooked almost in the nose. That is why you lose them, the line tightens before the fish can turn on the fly........if he was planning to turn on it, at all. Sharp, light wire hooks penetrate easier and hold better, than dull fat hooks, that so many flies are tied on these days. Some anglers hold a loop of line, and release it as the line tightens.......a happy thought. Usually the angler is so surprised, he jerks anyway, either pulling the fly out of the steelheads mouth, or breaking the fish if the hook does go home, because angler Joe forgot to let go of the line. A steelhead is not stupid. Even if you do release the line, creating slack while the steelhead has bitten down on steelhead.... ...more times than not, he will drop the fly as soon as he tastes the iron. I have stood on the high bank across from where my angler is fishing, and watched steelhead spit flies more times than I could count.......Remember, I am talking about takes at the bottom......not the surface. What do I do? Wade shallow, if I know the fish are in close........Slow the fly in swing, use sharp light wire hooks, preset (just tension, not jerk) with my line directly to the reel.......if the steelhead still has the fly after the head shake (they always head shake).......I ram the hook home as he takes line, because I know he is pulling away from me. Thanks for asking D 12/16/01 I read this comment on the Wash. Fly Fishing Forum Fishing Rpts section. QuoteWhen I am fishing around gear guys.....and I know the fish are seeing lots of color, I will go to the more somber colors of flies......especially if the water visibility is high. Instead of telling yourself, Steelhead never get leader shy, and therefore think the answer is always, short fat leaders (I do too if the water is off color) ......get your self a good disc drag reel, set the drag......and keep your fingers off the line. Since Mike and I have gone to this system....it is amazing how many more takes......how many more Steelhead have come to hand. Unquote I understand about using longer, smaller leaders (I think) But what did you mean by set drag and keep finger off? why would that increase hook ups? The only answer I could come up with is that a person won't feel the bite and set the hook to soon there by pulling it out of the fishes mouth. Is this correct? Sorry about not understanding what you are getting at but I am just getting back into fly fishing for steelhead and never was very good at it both fly & gear fishing, so I get confused easily when I read stuff. Thank you, Ray :-) Hi Ray, That OK, let me clarify....... Guys tend to fish heavy leaders to prevent break-offs. Usually results from using reels with little drag systems. These reels tend to over-spin upon hook-set.......unless the angler triggers the line under his finger(s) for added drag. Problem: While this will work with heavy leaders (and or) the angler is able to tension into the fish ......then let the steelhead take line as it bolts off. ......what usually happens is; the startled angler clamps down on the line, on the grab (the harder the steelhead grabs, the harder the angler clamps)....and Pop! ..... the leader parts. and the steelhead is gone........hence, anglers can either go to reels that be set to barb the fish......and still let the fish take line....... or fish heavy leaders and convince themselves, that steelhead don't care anyway. The article on site "Fly reels, good ones and bad ones" explains it fully. Thanks for asking, D Dear Dennis, I started fishing for steelhead 2 years ago and find you website very helpful and inspirational. Even though I have yet to catch even single I still enjoy getting out as often as possible and look forward to the day when it happens. In several places you mention the "Cop Car" and the "Egg-Sucking Cop Car". I have been to several shops in the area (Seattle) and can't find anybody who knows what this pattern is. Can you enlighten me? Patrick Patrick, I am sorry, my weekly fishing reports are for everyone, but occasionally I will refer to a fly or a location, only privy to clients and Mike and I. CC is one of those. The good news......Flies aren't what catch fish, .......anglers do. Read the article on Steelhead Flies: Fact and Fiction found in the stories and Articles section. Best of fishing in the holidays, D Hi Dennis, since the last time that we have talked I have been saving all my money to buy a fly rod and reel. I have been looking at the GL3 9'9" 8wt fly rod. what are your opinions about this rod? I now need to purchase a reel and line, could you please direct me as to what kind of a reel and line that I should buy. I will be using it for native steelhead on the Nooksack,Sauk,and Sky. Also would it be possible for me to buy a few productive steelhead flies from you. I cant seem to find any good ones and since you fish the same rivers as me you would no which one to use. Thanks, Travis Thanks Dennis.... I cant wait to to see some of the flies that I can buy. I will most likely buy the Tioga reel and how much does that line cost>? Hi Travis, Great questions! Here is the short. Yup,.......the GL3 8wt......is my very rod. I can build you a Yancey line.....which is what I use now....you want one. Both the Tioga and the Redington reels are good....... Yup, I can get you flies.......taking orders, but it will be 6 weeks before we have them online. Best of fishing, D Dennis, I have checked your site many times, and decided to ask you a couple questions. From your rates page, I notice you don't seem to guide in january, is this correct? I have fished the Olympic Peninsula rivers(Solduc, Bogachiel)for a couple of year, during winter time. My catch has been zero, with only one hook up with a dead drifted fly. I am not a purist and have been considering fishing a float with a jig on the spey rod. It seems that gear fisherman have a lot of success with this method. Can you please, tell me if this method can work with a spey rod , and will it be very effective? If I wanted to fish with you, will you be guiding the West End rivers in january? I have fished with (censored) before and wasn't impressed. He was unwilling to pass on information and teach you what he knew. I am a never give up type of Flyfisherman, but I do need more than just positive attitude to hook the winter fish. Most of all, I want to learn to read winter fish water, and an eficient method of hooking them. I have fished sink tips for most of the time and I am starting to dislike it, given the fact that in reality you are only covering the last 1/3 of the water well. I do like to fish small streams, but I would like to learn a river at least the size of the Bogie. I look forward too hearing from you. Thanks, Gus Gus, Sorry for the confusion.......Yes, I guide all 12 months........ Winters are on North Sound rivers.......OP in Mar, April, & August. I am sure, using a double hander with dink bobbers would probably work but.......I like to winter steelhead search with a sinktip. Sorry your experience with your guide wasn't what you were looking for. Read the Article in the Stories and Articles section "Choosing a Guide." Might be helpful. Very observant! Yes, most common sinktip angling is only effective in the lower 1/3 of the swing. Took me years to develop a presentation that would bring the fly in "Low and Slow" throughout the swing. This is the line presentation I teach in my winter steelhead schools. Best of fishing, D
12/09/01 Wild Steelhead Release. Had to admit, I was a little nervous. Yancey and I drove down and waited at the directions given for the Northgate park and ride.......Wrong place. We hooked up and took our bus down to Vancouver, WA. We chatted with some of the boys.....a couple fly clubs were coming down too. The meeting started off with a couple biologist reporting to members of the wildlife commission. A commentary from one happened to mention, that of all the rivers in the state, all but 16 were wild steelhead release. What he didn't mention was the fact that every stream that was supposedly managed for wild steelhead.......was done so because the wild fish populations had failed. We no more got into the public comment section when Duggan Harmon was called to testify. He calmly introduced himself, introduced the Wild Steelhead Coalition 100 plus page document on why WSC supports State Wild Steelhead Release, explained that there was seven chapters, and he would testify on chapter one, and each of the next six chapters would be summarized by technical staff, members of the WSC. Each member then in order, followed suite. They approached each subject, summarily and factual. They quoted studies, they demonstrated the material, they had studied and prepared, for the past year. They eviscerated the opposing argument. By the time Todd Ripley spoke (about "foregone opportunity and the bolt decision"), I was in awe......There was simply nothing left to say. These gentlemen have focused and delivered, everything I have felt, believed, and have spoken on......for the past many years. Maybe I am not nuts. Will it make a difference in saving our wild steelhead? Brian put it best. He said delivering the message is like hitting the golf ball perfectly down the middle of the fairway even as it goes over the hill........should the tournament director walk over and throw your ball into the pond......does not diminish the fact, you hit the ball as well as you could hit it. What the WDFW and ultimately, the wildlife commission, does with this testimony, does with the thousands of letters of statewide wild steelhead release endorsement.......is up to them. We know this, the boys came in prepared, they hit the ball well. Best of fishing,D Dennis: Thanks for the Holiday greeting and same in return. An East Coast colleague came to my office for the first time today and marveled at the photo above my desk of me holding a chrome bright steelhead. "How do you catch fish like that?" he asked. I said something about practice, but in truth the way to learn is to fish with you. Looking forward to the rivers of 2002. Best Steve Steve, A lovely thing to say....... Thank you, Juan Juan, Thank you for the inquiry. I will have to admit, the prawn imitations look great on the large hooks........but I never fish a hook larger than a # 1. In my experience of chasing them.....for many years is....steelhead see everything. I have taken Bulkley River steelhead, in the surface on flies dressed on low water # 12's!... But the reason I do not fish the larger hooks is for conservation. Hooks in the /0 range increase the odds of penetrating a vital organ.....i.e. the eye. I know, I was into the big flies for a while....I did mortally wound a great fish. Will the large flies raise more fish than the smaller hooks.......say, 1 or a 2 ? My Catch per unit effort (CPUE) didn't decrease going to the smaller hooks........doubt if yours would either.......and you may save a fish. Best of fishing, I'll share a quick report; Last Tues morning, bright and early on the flybar, started 1/2 way down the bar and hadn't gotten far when I hooked a fish, turned out to be a nice bright coho buck, (I thought that was cool), few steps down, into another fish which turned out to be an early hatchery steelhead, couple more steps and into the first of a couple hefty chums. It was snowing hard the entire time, it was just a magical hour. I had gone out thinking I might find a couple fat dollies. Some days everything just clicks in fly fishing, not enough days but some. Couldn't have done it without all your generous tips and reports, your eggsucking cop car was the ticket. Thanks for everything. Hope You, Mike and your family have a wonderful holiday season. Steve Steve, So good to hear from you. Yes, its the memories that keep us coming back. Thank you for sharing it with me..... Best of fishing at Christmas, "Wish I was hookin um" Kevin, Really depends on several factors.....your size, big guys > big boats Waters you fish, are you floating the Lower North Stilly......class 1 or are you rowing through Max Canyon on the Deshutes? Do you fish it a lot.....like I do, or are you a casual few times a season. First thing I look for is a boat with a hypolon skin.....(like many white water rafts, PVC works too) Many of the Outcast boats are good as are the Bucks Bag Bronco. Only knock is most are single passenger, which means your buddy needs one too. Best of fishing,
12/02/01 FISHING RULE CHANGEWASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 November 28, 2001 Wild steelhead must be released on Skagit River system Action: The Skagit River system (Fisher Slough, Cascade River, Sauk River and Skagit River) will go to wild steelhead release December 1, 2001. All areas will close to the retention of wild steelhead for the entire winter season. Only hatchery steelhead may be retained. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Effective date: December 1, 2001 through February 28, 2002. Species affected: Steelhead Location: Fisher Slough from the mouth to the Highway 530 Bridge, the entire Cascade River, Sauk River from mouth to Whitechuck River, Skagit River from mouth to Gorge Powerhouse at Newhalem. Reason for action: The forecast for Skagit River wild winter steelhead returning this winter and spring (2001/2002) is expected to be 5,022 fish, 83% of the co-managers' interim escapement goal of 6000 spawners. The Skagit escapement for the 2001 spring spawn was 4,584 fish or 76% of goal. With no harvestable wild steelhead this year, the wild steelhead release regulation will allow access to the returning hatchery fish while minimizing impact to wild fish. Other Information: It is anticipated, the catch-and-release seasons on the Skagit River system will occur as outlined in the Fishing in Washington Rules Pamphlet. Fisheries targeting hatchery steelhead after February 28 may be closed. Data analysis continues regarding the hatchery steelhead fisheries during the month of March 2002. It is anticipated that during January 2002 a final determination will be made whether to allow the fisheries. Information contact: Pete Castle, District Fish Biologist, 360-466-4345 ext. 230 These are the finalized times for the Steelhead Bus to testify in Vancouver Washington: The WFFC is underwriting 75% of the cost of a bus to take people down to Vancouver for the WDFW Wild Steelhead Release Rules Change Hearings,December 8,2001. The cost is $10 plus an optional tip to the bus driver of $2-3. Here is the final schedule: The bus will depart Northgate Park & Ride at 8:15 am The bus will depart Federal Way Park & Ride at 8:45am The bus will arrive in Vancouver for the hearings (in time for lunch) At 11:30 am The bus will depart Vancouver at approximately 4:00pm (after hearings) The bus will stop at the Fish Tale Brewery in Olympia for refreshments The bus will return to Federal Way at ~8:00pm The bus will return to Northgate at ~8:30pm To reserve a seat, please call Jay Deeds at (360) 830-4885 or email him at:thedeeds@hotmail.com It is critical that we have a strong showing at this hearing. We need to support the Commission members who are voting to make wild steelhead catch and release mandatory throughout the state. This is our best (and maybe last) opportunity to turn into action-something we've been talking about for years. Leland Miyawaki Dennis, Please make a call for action on your weekly update. it is very important that we get as many people at the testimony as possible. If they can't go, they need to write in their position. If you want to post a call from me as well, I have included one below. Thanks, Duggan I must encourage every person who believes in the value of catch and release and the importance of wild steelhead to either attend the rules proposal testimony or write in with your views. This is an opportunity to get Washinton to stop the killing of these magnificent gamefish. If we don't get it done now, it will be at least two years before there is another chance. In 1999-2000 there were 35 rivers in Washington that the WDFW deemed to have "healthy enough wild steelhead stocks to support kill fisheries", one year later there are 16. If we don't act soon, even more runs will be "harvested" until the runs are no longer healthy. Please let the commission know you opinions. Support statewide mandatory catch and release of ALL wild steelhead. The proposed rules changes will be the focus of testimony before the WDFW Commission at the December 8th meeting at the Best Inn and Suites, 221 NE Chaklov St., in Vancouver. Steelhead testimony is expected to start around noon. The commission is scheduled to vote on adoption of the rules package at its February 8-9 meeting. Written comments may be submitted during the Dec. 8 commission meeting, or mailed before the December 7th to Evan Jacoby, WDFW Rules Coordinator, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia WA 98501-1091, They can also be e-mailed to Jacoby at jacobesj@dfw.wa.gov. Duggan Harman President, Wild Steelhead Coalition Wild Steelhead Release Dear Sir, Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dennis Dickson. My am a lifetime resident of the state of Washington. I have grown up on the banks of the North Fork of the Stillaguamish in the town of Arlington, and have had to opportunity to fish the north sound rivers, and the Olympic Peninsula streams, for the past 40 some years. I am a fisheries biologist/flyfishing guide, having graduated from the University of Washington, in the late 70’s. I would like to address the subject of the Wild Steelhead Release. First, let me say, I applaud your efforts, to consider, a statewide wild steelhead release. I appreciate this opportunity to explain why: 1) More Wild Steelhead: In the mid-80’s, the WDFW conducted a wild steelhead release on the Skagit River System, which demonstrated a return of wild steelhead to the spawning grounds, that more than doubled in population,.....in one brood cycle! Another example: The Deer Creek summer steelhead historically, were numbered around 2,000 returning adults, the logging of its watershed, in the 1970’s, decimated this population to as low as 400 steelhead. WDFW instituted a wild summer steelhead release, while fly anglers continued to catch and kill the summer hatchery steelhead. Even though the human population has more than tripled in the north sound region, since the 70’s....and we can assume the fishing pressure on the North Fork of the Stilly has risen with it.......this population of summer steelhead has rebounded to over 1,000 returning adults! Reason? Even though the summer steelhead have been under intense fishing pressure, while anglers pursued the hatchery steelhead......the summer wild steelhead, flourished, because we released them alive. This phenomena has only been supported by similar case studies from Oregon to Alaska. Releasing Wild Steelhead works. 2) For Gone Opportunity: There is a threat that if the State does not kill the harvestable wild steelhead.......the tribes will. I used to work for an Indian Tribe. Tribes are nations. Their philosophies, vary as much as you or mine....... A spirit of good will. When WDFW decided the number Skagit River harvestable steelhead was not there.......and proposed a wild steelhead release in 2001, the Skagit River Co-op., curtailed their netting too. Give the tribes a chance to do the right thing.....they want more returning steelhead, too. 3) Maximum Recreation, minimal Kill: A few years ago, WDFW was planting all their lakes with tiny hatchery rainbows, to be “Put and Take”. Someone came up with the idea of “Quality Fisheries”. Larger trout, selective fisheries, minimal kill. Kill anglers were screaming, “It isn’t fair! “Nobody is going to want to do it!” Well, look at our quality waters around the state, today........As we enter the 21st century, we realize, times have changed. There are more people, more pressure or on our wild resources. Wild Steelhead Release is an unique opportunity, to utilize and precious resource, and actually protect it, while doing so. I have read studies from California to Alaska. From New England to Oregon, from trout to steelhead......the underling theme holds true, play with your fish all you want......simply release them alive.... The population thrives. The environmental conditions are compromised? All the more reason to get every fish we can, back to the spawning grounds. The concept of releasing wild steelhead, may be new to us.....it certainly isn’t to Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, and British Columbia. Give it a chance. 4)Economy wins: In the battle of kill VS nonkill, nobody seems to address the economy of the local business. As more steelhead return, more anglers will participate, more travel is done, more hotels, restaurants, more licenses, more groceries........everyone wins.......the only thing there is less of......is poaching. 5) Enforcement: We have had a misconception in our state that, if we want to protect a river resource, we simply need to close the waters......anyone fishing during a closed season must be fishing illegal. Sounds good.....doesn’t work. Studies have demonstrated, that the true poaching impact, does not come the nimrod, that doesn’t even know what river he is on........it comes from neighbor Joe, who knows where to slip his boat in, where to take it out.......where he can toss his line in...(his back yard), and where he can’t. Even he knows the State doesn’t have the money to put enforcement on the river. Closed waters is like saying.......”don’t come in the house, there is nobody home”. What makes poacher Joe nervous? Too many eyes on the river, watching. I know it sounds crazy but.......the fastest way to stop poacher Joe, is to open a C&R fishery........in the very waters you are trying to protect. Why? Because guys like you and I, are not about to let some low-life screw it up for all of us. Sure, a few more fish get caught......and released alive. 6) A better, more educated angler: As we embrace a statewide Wild Steelhead Release , we replace people, who have little respect of life or property, with anglers who will. In 15 years of guiding, I can count on one hand the number of times I have ever seen an angling client, litter. We release all wild fish, alive. I can’t count the times, we have picked up after some slob who couldn’t pick up his bait container, to say nothing of his beer can. You build a quality fishery....and you will attract a better angler. Wild Steelhead Release is a benefit, we all deserve. Thank you for your time, I know we didn't have any plants for 2salt summer runs on the stilly, do you know if they planted winter runs to return this year or will we just be flogging water? Thanks Steve Steve, Even a better question than you think.......the short answer is Yes! We will have winter hatchery steelhead.......in fact, a few of them are showing up now. Why would the WDFW attempt to stop planting summer steelhead (they are back on line for next summer) and not the winter program? "Politics my dear Watson," Don't worry, they won't do anything to interrupt the winter gear fisherman. The summertime flyfisher is another matter. Anyone who guessed it was to reduce the impact of summer hatchery steelhead on the native Deer Creek fish......is dead wrong. Best of fishing, I spent much of my youth chasing steelhead with my father around these parts, but never brought anything back to the bank. Mostly we fished with eggs or shrimp. Now that I'm fishing flies I'd like to finally learn how steelheading works, and your school seems like just the thing. Do you have a spot left in the Feb 22nd class? If so, I'll send you a reservation deposit and start looking forward to it! Thanks, John John, You bet! Love to have you on the 22nd. The Skagit School is an excellent choice. Glad you enjoy the site. Looking forward to it,
11/25/01 answerDennis, First of all let me say thank you for your website and all of its valuable information. we really appreciate you updating it on a regular basis and we have had some good success fishing since we discovered it and put to use some of your advice. Myself and two friends are very interested in taking a trip with you for steelhead, sauk/skagit or stilly. all of us have a fair amount of flyfishing experience (not much for steelhead) and would really like to spend a day fishing with you. I have extensively read your website and all the articles and feel a renewed hope for landing a steelhead on the fly. i like your philosophies of using somewhat small rigs for these fish and your enthusiasm for taking them on surface flies when conditions and time of year permit. ideas like, you do not have to cast a hundred yards, or use a spey rod, or have the fanciest gear really appeal to me. i spent some time in the past trying to flyfish for steelhead and got discouraged somewhat quickly by lack of success, and because i new i was wasting my time not knowing exactly how to fish for them and how to dissect the river in terms of where NOT to fish. we all live in the seattle area and are familiar with these rivers. we spent a lot of time in the last few months fishing the nf stilly and landed several nice silvers and some SRC's and your info on fishing this stream for these fish is always ringing in my ears in preparing for and then fishing that river. so to make a long story longer, we would like to take a trip and hope that we could work hard to get into fish but also really use it as a learning experience and "pick up" where your website "leavs off". one of your replys on ask dennis says "come out and i will show you" and thats what we are interested in. so if you could get back to me with open dates that would be great. hope to hear from you soon. Brian Cheers,Rod Hi Brian, Sure, we can do that.......but if you are having trouble hooking steelhead......why not the three of you take one of either the Sauk or Skagit schools. Much better introduction on how to fish steelhead under all water/lighting conditions, than a simple guide trip. Classes are filling up,..... but either the school or the guide trip, is fine with me. Glad you enjoy the writings.......Cold Water Takes is especially good reading for the sinktip fishing of winter. Best of fishing, D Hi Dennis, I was out on the Skagit yesterday (11/18), just above Rockport looking for chums. Found a big eddy below a bar with chums cruising around and tried to get them to hit a chartruese wooly bugger. No luck on the chums but I did get a bright, 3-4 lb. fish that was either a jack or a steelhead. There were a couple other guys fishing nearby who came to look and thought it was a steelhead but it didn't give me much of a battle, just thrashed around on the surface for a bit then came in. Are there jacks around this late? Cheers,Rod Rod, Yes, the Skagit does have a small wild summer run.. .I suspect these are Sauk River strays...but it could also be a winter steelhead hatchery Jack......did you happen to notice if the adipose fin was missing? (Little fleshy fin on the back near the tail) The wild summer run would have gray sides....with a prominent red band (looks like a large rainbow trout) The winter Jack would be bright, with little coloring, long prominent face, extended lower kype (jaw line) Now obviously I wasn't there....... If it didn't take line but thrashed the surface........I suspect it was was either a Dolly, (Dark sides, orange spots, green spots on back)..... .but more likely a small wild coho. They have a dark gum line in the mouth, and a small wrist of the tail. (Caudle peduncle) Bucks have a hook nose.... .hens not so much. If you send me a picture......I can probably get you closer....... Thanks for asking, The Tazman Tazman, Thanks for the inquiry. Guides and guiding: I would refer you to a similar question posed in Ask Dennis dated 10/24/01 by Dave F. The article on site: Choosing a guide can point you in the right direction.... .Find it in the stories and articles section Remember this: "The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence." Good luck, 11/18/01 Dennis Richard and I had a great trip with Mike yesterday. I really enjoyed fishing with him.Mike told me about the pontoon boat fishing that you do and I'm really intrigued. I've owned drift boats and was in the market for another one, but after talking with Mike I'm very interested in pontoons. What can you tell me about fishing in them and could you recommend one that would work well for me. I am a big guy 6'1" and 250#. Steve Hi Steve, Glad you enjoyed your trip with Mike. He is a hard worker, and he is good at it. Your Boat: Really depends on the waters you fish. I first bought the pontoons for the ability to portage around the narrows on the Grande Ronde. I was also running into problems with my wrists swelling, rowing the bigger raft(s) so on a whim, I brought them out on a couple local rivers.......clients just loved them! Now they kind of my signature on the North sound rivers.....although they are pretty popular, now. For big anglers, I would recommend at least a 9' pontoon......10' would not be out of line. Two boats to look at..... Outcast and Bronco both make good boats. Please take minute and look at the Stories and Articles section > Rafts and Hard Bottom boats. Best of fishing, Thomas Thomas, Thanks for asking...... Bank angling: Line starts at the rear. If you wade in above, and don't try to crowd......isn't a problem......the downstream angler is suppose to move through. If you make the mistake in fishing a stack up pool........you are on your own. Just try to give as must room as you would prefer, ......if you were there first. Rowing a boat into a pool being fished: Stay off the fishing water......if it is safe to do so. If I am on a larger river, I just move to the other side of the river. If I know I will be rowing within casting distance.......typical of little rivers, I will try to come in behind. Angler in the water should either, wade deeper, to let the boat float through, or come out of the water........ If the angler knows you are coming, and makes no attempt to do either.........is on his own. I should tell you........we are moving into the winter steelhead gear guy show.........they have their own code of ethics. Be patient......... Refer to the Stories and Articles section > River Etiquette. Best of fishing, I am two days new to fly fishing and I want to buy a new rod and reel. Somewhere on your site you mentioned a Redington reel, which model were you refering to? Are there others for under a 150 or so that you would recommend. As for rods I am partial to Loomis, one that I thought would be good was the GL3 9'9" 8-weight. All of my casting rods are IMX but as a beginner fly person I can't imagine spending about $600 for a GLX. Do you have a personal favorite that's under $300. I want something that I could use in fairly small quarters as well as on a river such as the Skagit. Hopefully you can help out a little. If all goes well with this fly fishing thing I think it would be great to go on a guided trip with you in a year or so. Thank You Mark Mark, Sure, happy to help...... I did notice you didn't mention flylines.....before you run out and buy a multi-tip line (most guys do), read my article called Flylines are what catch fish. You can find it in the stories and articles section of www.flyfishsteelhead.com Good luck! 11/11/01 Dennis & Michael, It finally happened at 0900 this morning. A nice 22" hen, over 5 lbs, on the Grande Ronde, with a surface fly! I am one happy steelheader now! All of your hints and lessons paid off just as planned. I will take you up on the March 20th or 21st on the Chosen. Doesn't matter which day, you just let me know. Again, thanks for all of your help and encouragement. I'm still shaking. TomHi Tom, Kudos for you! I can tell you that even after years of steelhead, I can still remember the first one. I am sure Mike would agree.....You are more than welcome. Thanks for thinking of us. Best of fishing |