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12-28-08
Collapsed building roofs and knee deep snow, is all the reminder I need,
we are still paralyzed from our Arctic blast, north of Seattle.. Gee,
I never thought I would be happy to see rain, but it has finally arrived.
If we don't keep some moderately low freezing temps, I am afraid the PNW
is set up to have the mother of all floods. Let's hope the low lands snow
melt, comes off slowly.
On a happy note: The suckier the weather gets around here, the more stoked
I get about our February Caribbean tarpon fishing. 2009 has me booked
down there for three weeks. Mike will already be chasing OP steelhead
by then.
This article is just a snippet of the feature presentation on Surface
Tarpon Flyfishing coming out in next week's Salmonfly.net/ I hope you
enjoy it.
"Just keep reeling Bette"
Years ago I was spending my spring days flyfishing the north sound rivers
of Washington for native steelhead. This March day Hal and I were fishing
the Skykomish River and its past fabled C&R wild steelhead fishery.
We got sidetracked in conversation, as we often time did, talking about
far off fish in far off lands. Now Hal is what you might call a “serious
Die-Hard” when it comes to his flyfishing. As a long time airline
pilot (since retired), he has opportunity to flyfishing around the world.
The only two fish he even bothers with anymore, is steelhead and tarpon.
He made a statement that day on the Sky that has stuck with me ever since.
Hal exclaimed. “Some guys are trout fishers and a few are steelheaders”.
In the salt, some guys are bonefishers and a few are tarpon guys. No offense
Dennis, but I know you. You will be more than happy chasing bonefish until
you catch a tarpon, and then that is all you will want to do. After steelhead,
of course”.
That was back in the early 90’s. I have since caught my bonefish,
even jumped a few really big tarpon. Hal couldn’t have been more
right. I really like to chase bonefish, Heck, I would jump on a plane
and do it tomorrow. But I would be less than honest if I didn’t
confess if forced to choose between fishing the two, tarpon wins, hands
down.
I have since refined my "tarpon junkieness" to a specific set
of do’s and don’ts.
I don’t like casting 12 wt. rods for tarpon. They really suck, (or
maybe I really suck at casting the big rods.)
I also don’t care much for flats boats. I am just ADD enough that
waiting my turn to “be up”, meaning up in the front of the
boat, is not my idea of fishing. Given a specific opportunity, I would
rather pole the boat than wait and watch, and I would just as soon be
up casting than poling if, truth be told. I am just too poor (or cheap)
to spend the cash to go “one on one”.
And while I am purging, I should also confess, I have stood on the front
of a 17’ flats boat enough times to admit, the only time I really
enjoy the experience, is when I have a target in front of me. Four hours
of being poled around without a shot, absolutely bores me to tears. My
poor fishing companion for the day, has since stared holes in the back
of my head, while he sits and waits for his turn up front, that never
seems to come soon enough. Even if the casting angler does manage to hook
up, by the time the dude lands the bloody thing, his partner’s day
is gone. Yup, been there and done that.
More up and downside:
The surge and power of a hooked tarpon is nothing short of spectacular.
The whole experience is totally worth it, but you better be not only a
good caster. You better be a good 12 wt. caster. If you don’t know
the difference, never mind, you are not.
So you get hooked to the absolute biggest friggin fish of your life, and
he is towing and jumping. Total boredom one second, sheer pandemonium
the next. What your guide doesn’t tell you is this. The fun of a
100 plus pound tarpon, is in the first 5 minutes, and the last 5 minutes.
Everything in the middle of the tarpon fight is "all out work”.
It kinda reminds me of a 2 hour tug-a-war.
A fishery refined: So a long time client and friend turns me on a new
style of tarpon fishing. He calls it “Poon hunting“. Many
guys know about the baby tarpon hiding out in their nursery mangrove lagoons.
These 2- 10 pound fish are fun, but in my opinion, this flyfishing barely
resembles the
“big boy” gig. But that is me.
Buddy Jim tells me of this place down in the Caribbean where you can fish
for real “Poons”. These are juvenile tarpon that range from
8-40 pounds. A true 10 wt. fish. Says they run and jump just like the
big guys do, but after 15 minutes, they come in! I am all over that.
A star is born.
I didn’t come to realize until years later, four more parameters
I would call a huge plus. Both Jim and I have independently found other
Poon flyfishing areas you can fish from shore! The upside to this scenario
is everybody is casting, everybody is fishing. I really like that. Sure,
we now use inflatable kayaks to extend our search, but some of the best
fishing we do is merely walk and wade.
Side note: Our “Tarpon Hunter” kayaks have since been refitted
to flyfish tarpon. You can hardly imagine your level of buck fever when
you are casting at first light to this porposing trident sub that’s
as big as your friggin boat! The anticipation before hook-up alone, will
practically kill you”. You stare at the lanyard attached from your
wrist to the rod. Then you realize, this tarpons stuff is serious.
Tarpon Island is not exactly next store to the Pacific Northwest, but
it has plenty of non-angler activity. I call this tropical paradise “Sweetie
friendly”, and lest you think that is not a deal breaker, try convincing
your girl, who had her heart set on a Maui experience, you taking her
fishing!. Let’s face it. Tropical fishing with you has always amounted
to a lovely but desolate experience. Not her idea of a good time. Tarpon
Island has the best of both worlds. Amenities (shopping, dining out etc.
) along with world class fishing. Kinda what I imagine the Florida Keys
were like 50 years ago.
Once you are there, you’re there.
Nobody wants to spend a whole day getting to a fishery, then more hours
each day getting onto fish. I prefer fisheries you can practically walk
to. It’s one of the first questions I ask the outfitter. How far
is the fishing from the stay? Tarpon Island works.
Poons eat surface flies. Many tarpon fisheries are about moody fish. I
prefer aggressive top-water feeders. The “Tarpon Gurgler”
is a surface fly that Tarpon Island fish love to take down in a “Toilet
Bowl” take. Last year we had a group of four anglers who jumped
over 100 Poons in their 5 day fishery. Many on surface flies. My favorite
story is about a sweet Gal named Betty.
A little background:
Gary is a very accomplish angler, but tarpon were new to him. Another
guy, Mel had a previous tarpon experience in southern Mexico. He said
he saw a small fish in a week’s fishing. Our third angler, Orin
would probably describe himself an advanced novice. My experience is,
he has certainly done well in the fisheries he and I have engaged in.
Bette is Orin’s wife. She kind of got roped into this trip. I think
maybe the warm weather in winter months with real people, real shopping
was enough for her to come “check it out”.
Mike & I hedged our bet with Bette by booking a ½ day up on
our private lakes. I found her to be a very sweet Gal. She caught a few
big trout that day.
Now I got to tell you, I didn’t exactly complain when Orin bought
a couple anti-reverse Abel big game reels for the tarpon trip. I had no
idea how cool was that.
So there we were. All guests showed up to Tarpon Island, end of January.
Winter had already settled into the Pacific Northwest with its rain and
snow. Sucky at best.
The 80 degree tropical weather settled into my bones on arrival. I remember
as I climbed off the plane reflecting to myself, “I don’t
care how long we are on the island, it is not long enough”. Solace
to know everybody who comes to the island are there for sun, water, and
shopping. Few know or even care about the tarpon fishing. Perfect.
A short ride to our hotel and we were ready to go.
I had since found that even though these tarpon will feed all day, there
is a definite bite period at both first & last light.
Maybe it was a good sign as we walked a few blocks from town. Mike hooked
up and landed a nice Poon on his first cast. I was still a little concerned
for Bette. A thirty foot cast was pushing it for her. In most tarpon fisheries,
that is like, no chance.
Bette was pretty quiet for the first hour, first day. The tropical sun
finally went to bed and the lighting went from yellow to dusk. You could
almost feel the tarpon around us getting active.
Just another cast. We found that undisturbed fish would cruise right along
the shorelines at day light and night fall.. With Mike at her shoulder,
Bette worked her line out down along the shoreline vegetation. About half
way through her retrieve a lovely Poon decided whatever that wiggly thing
gurgling the surface must be more food. The fly went down in a toilet
flush. Mike simply said. “Strip strike, Bette”. She nailed
it perfectly. To say the tarpon went crazy would be a bit of an understatement.
The 10 wt was drove into full flex. The Abel reel took over, as the silver
king danced across the lagoon.
Even from a distant with the tarpon trashing and driving, I could hear
Mike coaching his Gal. “Reel Bette, just keep reeling” So
there is Bette, cranking away. Asking her to bow to her tarpon would have
to come later. Right now Mike was banking on an Abel anti-reverse reel,
a 50# shock tippet, and the 3/0 Gami hook. Six jumps and some lovely running
around, and Mike lipped Bette’s first ever tarpon. Perfect.
Over the course of the week, I guess there was plenty of highlights including
two nasty Poons that decided to tear the 40 # butt section off Bette‘s,
fly line. (Letting go of the fly line when a big fish decided to freight
train from a take at the end of rod, is another concept), but we are all
good.
As we climbed back on the plane headed back to the PNW winter, I could
still remember Mike saying, “Reel Bette, just keep reeling!”
Dennis Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
12-21-08
"A sea of contrast"
Sorry Everyone. We have already had two power outages at the Dickson's
this week. If the big storm rolls in, that is suppose to come, we could
be well on our way to a third.
We had zero fishing this week in the PNW. Suppose to be out fishing again
next week, but we will see how that goes!
Tarpon Island:
In the mean time, I am sitting by a rosy fire, tying tarpon flies for
our trips into the Caribbean this coming February. Steve will have a whole
section on our tarpon fishing & flies in his upcoming issue of Salmonfly.net.
As I will be down there guiding again, for the better part of February,
I get to introduce you to the "warm winter" side of Dickson.
Can't wait to tell you all about it.
Merry Christmas everyone,
Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
12-14-08
“What goes around”
The weather Gods have spoken. Winter is in town. For how long is yours
to guess. If years past stand to form, we will be headed for a warm spell
just long enough to dump all the early rotten snow into flooding rivers,
but now, that is only speculation. Right now the precipitation is locked
up into snow, and that means the rivers are “low & cold.”
Fishing is good. Catching is tuff.
This a pretty mellow time of year. The salmon runs are all but over. Skagit
Dollies get whacked as the anglers looking for the mystery winter hatchery
steelhead, still need to bring something home. The Sauk is in great shape
right now, especially above the Suiattle confluence. Not much for fish
yet, but hopefully spring will take care of that.
The Skykomish River reports a few fish, but I always get a little nervous
when the angler number out numbers the sport catch more than 10:1.
The Stilly’s North Fork is a lovely winter scene right now. I am
particularly fond of the Hazel area. But for me that area is more of a
summer time gig. The recent number of cars in the parking lot tells me,
someone must have stumbled into a fish. Cool.
Maybe its because I am getting older.
I won’t make any bones about it. Winter fishing for me is Tarpon
fishing in a far-off land. 2009 will be no different.
What rod do you chase steelhead with?
Some years ago I was getting so bombarded with questions about fly rod
efficiency I wrote the now infamous article Spey
Rods advantages & Disadvantages.
Now let me tell you straight up. As a U Of W graduate in Fisheries, I
tend to be a little pragmatic when it come to fishing equipment. I willingly
admit, I am old school. I have caught more than my share of steelhead,
on my single handed rods. Only a few on the double.
Of course I am more than a little interested in gear efficiency. Both
flyfishing schools and guide trips, dictate that. Mike & I never get
away from the fact that successful anglers are still about catching fish.
I don’t think that fact will ever go away.
I have been very lucky to have fished some 200 days a year for over 20
years. You can do the math, but any way you cut it, that’s a lot
of fishing time.
I have come to some simple conclusions about single versus double handed
rods and many of our clients fish one way or both. Here are a few observations..
1) From Alaska though California, from waters the size of the Snake to
as small as Pilchuck Creek, the catch per
unit effort (CPUE) for both rods tends to be…… about the same.
Big waters with nasty wading and poor backcasts tend to fish better with
the long rods. B.C.’s Thompson and Oregon’s’ Deschutes
are two streams that come to mind. Big and little streams with decent
back-cast room seem to fish well with both. I find the smaller rivers
or big rivers with small desert steelhead so much more fun with the single
handed rod. You can drive the North California highways in a Cadillac
Escalade but a BMW 130i sportser is just more fun. You can probably catch
as many Yakima trout on a 9 wt. but would you?
2) Fish the rod you are good at: I find the
anglers who fish their rods a lot, tend to be good at them. Buying another
rod because you think it will make you better? Reminds me about an experience
I had years ago. Some of my fellow football players were complaining after
practice, about the equipment. Our coach over heard one guy, walks over,
grabs him by the face mask and growls,
“It’s the horse, not the cart, that gets it done!”
I never forgot that. Besides, if all you looking for was “gear efficiency”,
any fishing guide would tell you, fish a bait rod, it’s way more
efficient. I took up the fly rod because I accepted the challenge, along
with the sport.
Goes around, comes around:
Years ago, it seems like all the Northwest flyfishers really knew were
single handed fly rods. (Many even switched to bait rods in the winter).
Then the double-handed rod came out of Europe, and guys started catching
fish on them. Holy cow, the Holy Grail! But some of the fly boys fishing
streams of one salt desert steelhead, wanted more sport out of their fish.
Out comes the Switch Rod, (some are pretty cool!). Now, guys are back
to talking about their single handed rods. So what‘s with that?
Each camp has their own following but seriously, do you think a steelhead
really cares?
Moral of the story: Fish the rod, fish the reel,
fish the fly, but mostly fish the waters, that helps you enjoy your day.
We never get too many of those.
Best of Christmas Fishing,
Dickson “The most unquoted guy on the block”
www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
December 07, 2004
"Down anyone?"
As you read this, the rivers are in prime shape,
and heading down. A late pulse of Silvers are swimming the Skagit, and
more and more Dolly/Bull Char are showing up every day. Nice fish in the
mid twenty inch range. Imagine what the fishing would be like if we didn't
kill them?
Black Bart has been our number one swinging fly
for Sky Chums, Steelhead (they will hit anything) but our Egg-sucking
Cop Car is also a great fish finder. Dollies are still locked into anything
with an egg associated to it. Egg-n-shuck off floating lines - way too
much fun.
Fishing conditions is all about finding suitable
river levels. Check River Levels is a great way to see if the rivers are
fit, from your computer. Here is a rough and dirty I use:
Skykomish: 8,000 cfs or below, on a dropping water
Sauk: 7,000 cfs or below...
Stilly at Deer Creek: 3,000 cfs or below...
Skagit is a little trickier, because of dam daily fluctuations. No fishing
above 10,000 cfs. from Marblemount gauge.
Fishing Forecast:
I would look for more of the consistent action on
the Skagit. Mike & I have been spending a lot of our guide time up
there, lately. A lovely float.
The Sky has its following but hard to work around
the crowds. Try the upper river around daylight. Blue/purple marabou is
one of my favorite patterns.
Its really hard to beat the Upper Sauk for solitude,
but be careful if you are floating. The Sauk takes no prisoners.
NF Stilly has gone to gear. Someday I guess somebody
can explain why. Don't get it.
Mike has already been retooling for our 2009 Flyfishing
schools. We continue to get great feedback on these educational clinics.
Seems like we have been conducting our seminars forever, but we really
enjoy it.
A good winter primer for winter steelhead flyfishing
is Coldwater Takes
How to become politically correct.
Judy Wallman, a professional genealogical researcher, discovered that
Stephen Dion, the leader of Canada's Liberal Party's, great-great uncle,
Robert Dion, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Quebec
in 1889. The only known photograph of Dion shows him standing on the gallows.
On the back of the picture is this inscription:
"Robert Dion; horse thief, sent to Quebec
Provincial Prison 1883, escaped 1887, robbed the Canadian Pacific Railway
six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889."
Judy e-mailed Stephen Dion for comments.
Dion's staff sent back the following biographical sketch:
"Robert Dion was a famous horesman in Quebec.
His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian
assets and intimate dealings with the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Beginning
in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government
facility, finally taking leave in 1887 to resume his dealings with the
railroad. Subsequently, he was a key player in a vital investigation run
by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Dion passed away
during an important civic function held in his honor, when the platform
on which he was standing collapsed."
Merry Christmas,
The Dickson Guys. www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
November 30, 2008
Not so much
For the last few days we have been enjoying an early
winter of liquid sunshine. Chum salmon populations in our north sound
Washington streams have been meager at best. I guess these salmon don't
spawn well in the bottom of a fish tote. Whatever.
Rivers are on the rise.
Skagit Steelhead Flyfishing: I have maintained for years The 3 elements
for steelhead success are;
1) Reading fly water. Sorry, I can't even count the times I have heard
about " find water moving at the pace of a brisk walk, 3 to 6 feet
in depth, with rocks in it". Hey I have been fishing steelhead for
over 40 years, and twenty of it as a professional, and even I don't know
what that statement really means. Steelhead holding water is relative
to what is around it. I.E. If he has just swam the last two miles over
a sandy bottom, practically any obstruction on the river bottom will stop
him for a rest. If, on the other hand, Mr. steelhead is swimming up through
boulder field after boulder field on a river such as the Calawah, you
better be able to pick the best of the best, lie water. This rock filled
stream is all holding water.
2) Presentation: I got an email from a guy the other day, looking to book
on the Grande Ronde next fall. In his letter, he asked if we nymphed with
indicators. He heard it was more effective. My answer? Sometimes. Some
pool sections swing, and still others swing surface. The trick is to know
what kind of water you are looking at, and become versatile in your approach.
I live for surface steelhead flyfishing, but I don't do it in the dead
of winter. I wait for spring as the water warms. I almost exclusively
fish surface flies for my Ronde fish, and I am sure I pass over some steelhead,
but I am sure I take some fish that are not interested in anything else.
My point? I fish the style that pleases me. It is not always about "
How many, how big, and how far away."
3) Make the cast: I almost marvel how misunderstood
this concept rolls around the flyfishing community. I guess the thought
is, "IF I am casting 100 feet and you are only casting 50 feet, I
am covering twice as many steelhead as you, and so twice as effective.
I wish this was so. The first thing an angler must realize, is where the
steelhead is holding under those particular conditions. Lighting, fishing
pressure, water clarity and even temperature can determine that. (See
reading water) I.E. Over-casting into heavy fast water with a sinktip
will all but assure you won't get that fly down close to the steelhead,
and even if you did, you probably can't slow it down enough to make the
fish take a whack at it.
My suggestion? Go out with a professional who is
willing to teach you point 1 through 3. After that, fish a lot.
Back at the ranch:
The Skagit is on the rise. Watch those river flows.
Sauk was absolutely stunning Saturday morning, but this rain will probably
play havoc on any fishing downstream of the Suiattle river in days to
come.
Dollies will be around the Chum redds. Think Alaska: Find the eagles,
and you will find the Chum, Find the Chum and the Dollies will not be
far behind. Our glue egg-n-shuck is real good. Careful where you wade,
careful where you cast!
Skykomish River has been in excellent shape: Anglers are out. Stilly North
Fork is about to go bait, so you feather flingers might want to hit that.
Both river levels are on the rise.
Sky Chums are known for the color green, green is about my number four
color. Combinations of blacks, (Black Bart), purple, (micro Eggsucker),
pinks (Pink Stinker) are all good. Chum Sport which is green, is the freshwater
counterpart, to Dicksons' Chum Candy.
The ghost tip makes the Yancy multi-tip and wonderful
saltwater flats line. Seguar Grand max. is the best flouro. leader out
there, in my estimation. Use 0x for dogs, and 4x for Dollies.
Eggsucking Copcar, and Black Bart (both have egg faces) are important
now, because the Dollies are keyed into eggs, and good luck trying to
keep it away from the puppies! Find the flies et al, online at Streamsideflyshop.com
If you wanted to know if your flyfishing reels are
up to steelhead, fish around some fresh Chums. They will be happy to show
you what's what.
Quietly getting it done,
Dicksons www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
11/23/08
Schooling
Mike is out for the 3rd day as our Skagit winter
schools are winding down. Had a really good bunch fellows out yesterday.
The Skagit sport Chum season is closed for 2008, so if you are planning
to fish up there, my advice is to contact WDFW directly to get the current
sport regulation status (see last week's fishing report).
This annual fall class tends to cover a smattering
of everything from Coho to Dollies, and yesterdays class of seven guys
was really no different. Pretty sure the largest Dolly of the day was
taken on our Egg-sucking Cop Car. Nice going Tod. Even I marvel how popular
these fall classes have become over the 10 plus years we have been conducting
them. Does my heart good to watch guys appreciate one of natures great
streams, the Skagit River.
Oh,
Salmonfly.net has a past issue featuring the Cop Car including tieing
instructions, history and all. Outside of skating surface flies each spring,
it truly is one of my favorite fisheries.
Which rod to fish? is an age old question. My rule
of thumb is to simply fish the lightest rod I am comfortable with. If
I am fishing egg patterns and strike indicators for Dollies, I will probably
fish my 5 wt. and a floating line. Ditto for Dolly surface skating patterns.
Should I be fishing over larger fish and larger wet flies, I generally
go with my single handed 8 wt. and Mike's Yancey Sinktip system. Fish
comfortable, it's your day, your experience.
Sauk: Haven't been over there but I see it is down
and in shape. Be sure that favorite lie water that fished so sweet last
year hasn't filled with silt from the previous flood.
What does it mean when we see a 100 year flood event
each year?
Stilly North Fork: Waters are back to fishing prime.
Boulder & Deer Creeks are kicking in some dirt. Look for the best
steelhead action from Hazel up to Fortson. Remember it all reverts back
to gear, December 1.
Fishing forecast: I would look for the fishing to
taper off in the local north sound streams as we get farther into the
holidays. Right now it is pretty good!
Sure, Dicksons will spend our guiding time over
on the Olympic Peninsula later on, but I don't think the Christmas fishing
holds a candle to the native steelhead fishery each spring.
Me? My idea of winter is chasing Caribbean tarpon
in warm weather places. But that is another story.
"It is by the goodness of God that in our country
we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom
of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either" Mark Twain
Best of fishing @ Turkey time,
Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking
Information
11/16/08
Go figure:
Last week's rain came in a hurry. The good news
is, it left that way, too. We had virtually no fishing this past week
due to the storms, so nothing to report here. Weather does look decent
for the next few days!
Fishing Forecast:
Stiily N.F. The river is a small drainage and already
back to fishing prime. Any summer steelhead that weren't previously up
in the Fortson area, are there by now. Going to be a different show on
the Stilly after December one. Gear boys will soon be out there, but with
only a handful of older hatchery summer runs, not much will keep them
there. Should be some big Dollies still coming in.
Sauk is my river of choice when the rivers are dropping
in because I enjoy fishing it so much. River is still a little too high
for good fishing but that should improve by early in the following week.
The Skagit River waters were off the charts the
other day, but the big river is already back to fishing, again. Water
color even above the Sauk confluence isn't great yet, but should be golden
by tomorrow. Remember the river is closed to killing Chum so there no
fishing for those, but the Dolly & flies are a gig. Watch for the
egg pattern show to start working now the that early Chum will start spawning.
Olympic Peninsula Flyfishing: Sure the OP streams
get their share of hatchery brats, but I don't get too excited until wild
steelhead show in the March-April fishery. Very popular guide trip
(space limited)
Thoughts on Flyfishing equipment: Some guys get
all fired up over single versus double handed rods. Personally, I really
don't care. I am not sure we should. Let's be careful not to fragment
our voice for responsible conservation by bickering over who fishes with
what. I seriously doubt if a steelhead does, and his life depends on it.
Happy Turkey day everyone!!!!!!
Dickson & Son www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
November 09, 2008
"Not even close"
Northwest rains have come in a flury. North Sound
rivers are all above fishing levels as we speak. Will the rivers be coming
down anytime soon? Well, it is going to take a spell of dry, cold weather....or
both, to get it done.
Stilly: (Opened November 1, 2008) More salmon continue
to come in with the tides and high water. Frankly, these high waters may
their best chance to blow beyond the net fishing. More fish to spawning
grounds is never a bad thing. Many Dollies are up in the tribs by now.
Summer steelhead fishing continues in the North Fork, but you have to
try to get past the salmon to find them. While you are chasing the steelhead,
be careful where you wade, as Chum salmon are not what you might call
discriminatory spawners, , . Good to see the fish, though. SRC are also
scooting up in the feeder streams, the fine fishing we had, is over for
another season. A few winter hatchery steelhead will be sneaking in, but
the quality fishing won't swing until we get closer to Christmas.
Skagit OOPs! A down side to forecasting large fish
returns is a) the commercial harvest will take the proposed harvestable,
which can leave b) a lack of fish to the spawning grounds, if the run
doesn't come in as strong as predicted. Would anyone like to venture a
guess who pays for the mistake, like every time? Yup, river sportman (and
of course the fish). You can make book on it.
Here
is the latest WDFW emergency update. Species closures are always a
can of worms, so in the spirit of prudence &
cooperation, Dickson Flyfishing schools Nov 14 or 15 are cancelled.
We will try our best to contact each student who has signed up, and come
up with option 2. Feel free to contact school instructor Mike Dickson
@ 425 330 9506.
Upsides: As I mentioned, the high waters will bring
the fish in, big time. The Skykomish River has a good biting Dog, and
of course there are plenty of other species to target if the Skagit is
on your agenda.
Skykomish Chumsters. Chums, like Pinks are good
biters, but you need to play with the fly colors and presentation. This
is subtle but slightly different for each species. If you think the Chum
to be caught is that old boot, snagged in the back you simply don't under
the Dog salmon. Flies like Black Bart, Pink Stinker, Chum Sport, and the
Micro Eggsucker, can all get fish to bite, but only if you present them
attractive to chum. Fly colors change from day to day, so pays to experiment.
We at Dickson's use both floating and light sinktips, leader length depends
on visibility, and our Seaguar Grand Max is the best (more expensive)
clear water tippet material I have ever used.
There is a lot more to finding Skykomish river Chum
than pools such as 2 bit, Taylor Flats and Buck Island. Explore a little.
Oh, Mrs. Black will take the Sky coho, but remember boys, coho presentation
is not a chum presentation, which is not a steelhead swing. Don't get
locked into what is not working. Even a ream full of computer paper, and
bucket full of ink, isn't going to mean jack to our local fish. Spend
some time with someone who can actually catch them, fairly.
Straight talk: Our Fly Schools, though popular,
are actually only a small part of what we do at Dickson's. Mike and I
are out on the water pretty much every day it's fishable. You don't have
to book a trip to get some straight scoop on the fishing. Drop an email.
We are always happy to help. Look for quality fishing to continue until
Christmas.
"Successful guiding is nothing more than
fishing every day and paying attention." Dickson
Until the rain stops,
Dennis & Mike Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
425 238 3537
Best of Fishing,
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
11/2/08
"All in a fall day"
The Fishing week:
As rains have threatened but remain at bay, fishing
clicks along the north sound streams. The Stilly just opened for salmon
fishing November 1. The lower river has seen a banner SRC show this fall.
Does my heart good. Standard and Rolled muddlers are working for us, but
I would have to guess that any fly pattern breathes and wiggles will get
it done. Tributary mouths are a good bet right now.
Here is a rundown of a few of the other neighboring
streams.
Skagit: The chum run is early but looking strong.
Any fly that is pink, green or purple is a good bet. Presentation is everything.
Good coho pods along the deep slack waters.
Sauk: Is fishing well before the high waters come.
Good river to "get away".
Skykomish River: Plenty of Coho, chums are in and
coming. Green works.......cerise/purple is even better. All the fly pools
holding fish from Gold Bar to Monroe.
N.F. Stilly: River is also fishing well, especially
above the Slide. Everything is in there, now. Some late hatchery steelhead
have even shown in Fortson. Hitting a variety of flies. Hazel area is
good. Mike released a lovely 18' wild rainbow above Boulder Creek. (no,
this was not a residulized smolt.)
Flyfishing Schools:
I promised you an update on the Skagit
Salmon/Steelhead School Nov 14 or 15.
Here is the latest:
Classes Canceled
due to WDFW Chum Salmon issues
Here
is the latest WDFW emergency update.
As the winter steelheading is fast approach us,
here is a timely write. Reels
for steelhead flyfishing.
Mike is guiding most days right now. I get out between
Biology projects. Life is good.
Words of Wisdom
"To speak ill of others is a dishonest
way of praising ourselves... let us be above such transparent egotism."
- Will Durant
"I've never found an interesting person with a foul mouth."
- Marilyn vos Savant
"I took a course in speed reading and was able to read War and
Peace in twenty minutes. It's about Russia."
- Woody Allen
A man of few words, Calvin Coolidge explained why: "I found out
early in life that you never have to explain something you haven't said."
If you are going to talk the talk, better walk the
walk.
Getting it done,
Mike & Dennis Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
Best of Fishing,
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
10-26-08
Fall colors & good fishing:
Such a great time of year. The vibrant colors along the river corridors
alone, are enough to make you appreciate your October fishing experience.
North Sound Rivers:
Cold nights and clearing skies will play well for the river outing. I
will soon be out with a long time client from Hawaii. Exploring the Stilly
estuary waters is always an adventure, and his timing this season cooling
temps should be right on the money. Skykomish, Skagit & Sauk rivers
also get their fish, and lovely fisheries in their own right. Poke around.
With the weather playing fall with the river levels, both coho and chum
salmon will be joining the lower river SRC, upstream Dolly/bulls, and
the summer steelhead, in the North Sound streams. The Stilly tidewater
show is one of my most favorite but as this is the big cycle year for
the big and brawly chumsters, time to tune up the 9 wt. for this bad boy.
Opening Day for Stilly fish is November 1.
May be a good time to review a favorite article Flyfishing
Pacific Salmon In Freshwater. You can contact Mike directly at streamsideflyshop@yahoo.com
for his trick river salmon flies.
Looks like another fine year for annual Skagit
Steelhead & Chum Salmon schools Nov 14 or 15. Right now we have
a couple slots available for each day. Our flyfishing students are always
shocked these Chum will actually bite. Right fly - right technique is
the drill.
A school problem we run into each year is that these boys are usually
so busy catching, we are not sure how much class instruction they take
in. Nice problem.
Other Waters:
Jeremy is headed back to Northern California to finish up on the Klamath
½ pounders. The October Methow River flyfishing did exactly what
I said it would. Client reports for steelhead are excellent. Fish the
lower river with short sink tips and leachy stuff and you should be golden.
There is a lot of wild steelhead reported, so handle them gently should
you land one.
"Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and
driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order
to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the
house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it."
~Ellen Goodman
Best of the fishing,
Dennis and the Dickson Guys www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
10/19/08
By the time you read this, our other
Dickson guides will be finishing up their 9th and last Cabins & Campout
Grande Ronde expedition. Here is what Mike Day
had to say about his groups, trip on the GR.
On behalf of Kerry & I doing the lower Wilderness floats, while Mike
& Jeremy are on the upper river, a big thank you to the so many who
joined us for another great year on the Grand Ronde. Appreciate it.
Summary: Flyfishing Steelhead on the Grande Ronde.
Year in, and year out, the GR steelhead move through in pulses. Our guides
are very good at finding them when they are coming through.
Flies: As I previously mentioned, I don’t subscribe to a magic fly.
Both Kerry and I fished skating surface flies a lot. Our early season
trips reflect this. Crystal
Caddis & Lights
Out were our top patterns this year, but then again, we had our clients
fishing these flies, a lot. Reading water and presentation are much more
important than the fly, in my book.
Water temps fell around the 12th of October as Kerry and I were leaving,
but Mike & Jeremy simply started fishing the bottom in the mornings,
and left the surface presentations for later in the day. Top fly patterns
for sink tips are; Purple
Conehead Bugger & the articulated
Blue/purple marabou.
Casting to Fishing: Many anglers confuse casting with fishing. If you
have taken the time (& effort) to buy that big expensive rod, don’t
you think you owe it to yourself to find out to make it catch fish? A
question we get all the time now is; “I am casting a decent line
now, but still don’t see the fish, can you help?”
We at Dickson’s now dedicate a whole portion of each Flyfishing
School to “Fishing your Flyrod”. Sounds redundant, but
oh, it really is not. Understanding and
the proper application is what Fly presentation is all about. Happy
to help.
So back on the home front.
Hard to complain right now. As Seattle north the rivers continue to settle,
there is going to be a ton of fish around. Getting great reports from
both the Skagit and Snohomish systems. Ah, life is good.
If those hatchery Coho are driving you crazy, remember hatchery fish tend
to be lousy biters, take solace in knowing, SRC are probably hanging around.
Pick up your 5 wt. and check them out. Seen some dandy SRC, fishing the
steelhead water (big fish like the bigger waters.) If you get tired of
stripping your Rolled Muddler pattern, try waking your October caddis,
over your steelhead pools. It will also move these large cutthroat, take
a Deer Creek steelhead, and even trigger a hatchery brat stelhead, who
has seen all the marabou jigs, it ever wants to see. It is to much fun!
Big year for chum. Our 9 wts. are ready.
"When people can't recognize the truth, they will often substitute
it by what they think is the next best measure, the most popular, and
that can open up to anything, good or bad."
Dickson
The rogue wave,
Dennis & the Dickson Boys www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
10/12/08
Grande Ronde Magic
Mike and Jeremy finish up their last week of the Cabins & Campouts
on the Ronde. I just came home, and Kerry (our other guide) will be headed
home today. It seems like I always spend half my year looking forward
to this Grande Ronde steelhead trips and the other half reflecting back
on them. I guess I really don’t know what I feel right now. The
GR is the last really big thing I do in the fishing year. Maybe its my
long time clients who meet me back there each fall. Perhaps its just the
river in the transitional fall. I am sure a huge part of it is skating
flies with full confidence for a lovely steelhead. It’s the best
freshwater experience I know.
On the GR:
We were floating out of the canyon after a long three day expedition.
I passed an angler who was fishing a pretty run in the lower river. He
asked me how the fishing was, and before I could open my mouth went on
to say that his was “lousy”. I just shook my head. I didn’t
know the Ronde had lousy fishing, maybe he was referring to the catching.
If you reduce your experience to “How many”, “how big”
and “far can I throw”- you might not appreciate the Grande
Ronde. I am lucky to be surrounded myself by clients who appreciate what
we do. I know and appreciate that.
Grande Ronde Fishing:
Anyway: The upper Washington waters seem to be holding the most fish.
According to Mike, he and Jeremy are doing well. I haven’t heard
back from Kerry yet. Our expeditions saw more steelhead as the weeks progressed.
Mike says their fishing has been pretty consistent. I will assume it is
due to cooling river temperatures.
Our top flies in the lower river were Crystal
Caddis And Lights
Out. Why? Because that is what we fished. I wouldn’t bother
ordering any more flies from Mike until after October 20, as he is the
only one who runs this shop and He won’t be home until later this
month. Sorry.
Mike & Jeremy are fishing their own stuff. If you bought the GR sampler
you are probably covered.
As to do with Magic Steelhead Flies:
a) There is no such thing as a magic fly, steelhead eat out of reflex.
b) Grande Ronde steelhead will hit most offerings if you can find his
holding water, and make a *good presentation.
c) A good presentation is seldom casting a really long line and throwing
a really big mend. It is understanding his seam water and slowing the
fly over his holding area. Sometimes these “taking places”
on the Ronde are no bigger than a card table.
Mike and Jeremy do an excellent job teaching both single and double- handed
rods what good presentation means. That is why our GR trips are so popular.
Steelhead don’t care how expensive your trip or gear is.
Now it is tidewater coho and Skagit Chum until year’s end. It all
seems to go a little faster each year.
We have our Winter
Steelhead/Chum School Nov 14 or 15 coming up. As this is a big Chum
Salmon year, should be all kinds of fun.
Happy fall fishing,
Dickson Crew www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
9-28-08
Getting excited:
This week has found Mike and I running both steelhead and Searun cutthroat
trips on the Stilly. I think the highlights this week had to go to some
stellar SRC flyfishing. It is no mystery the rolled muddler continues
to be our top performer in the estuary waters.
Most of the hatchery steelhead are in the upper watersheds now. Weather
and water are cooling, but I think floating line presentations are still
the way to go. I would be fishing drab patterns now, both in the surface
and along the bottom. I know it sounds redundant, but a Crystal Caddis
(which is a dead ringer for the October Caddis, when riffle hitched properly),
is really good right now. Also, egg patterns like egg-an-shuck, ( International
orange colored glue egg) are also working below Chinook riffles......but
for some reason, I only do this for late season Skagit Dollies.
We are so stoked about our annual pilgrimage to the Grande Ronde. It is
hard for even myself to reflect the fact that Dickson Flyfishing started
running these trips back in the fall of 1990. Makes me feel old, but a
good old. Kerry will be helping me out in the lower Ronde, while Mike
and Jeremy do their upper river gig. Way cool. Grande
Ronde and Mrs. Brown is a nice read, if you are heading that way this
fall.
Speaking of fall:
Every other year, Washington state bound chum salmon have a strong run.
(Has to do with competition as juveniles with pink salmon.) Every four
years, we have a really big year class of chum, and this year is it! We
have already been gearing up for the chum/coho/fall steelhead this fall.
Think later October/early November. We got this one wired.
Chum/
Winter Steelhead/ Dolly Schools: We are still working out the details,
but we get a ton of requests to do this school. Here are the dates again
- November 14 or 15
On-line Readings in Public Relations by Michael Turney Further -
perspective on the publicity phase of public relations:
"I don't care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell
my name right."
Amen,
Dickson
www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
9-21-08
“You Know who”
Last week while fishing on the Methow River, I took a call from my son,
Michael. “There is an emergency closure on the river starting tomorrow!”
were the first words out of his mouth.
This of course, caught me totally by surprise. Thank heavens he got a
hold of me before I found my fishing, out of compliance.
This does raise the biological question about cause and effect. The WDFW
closure rationale apparently was to “protect a steelhead run”.
It also raised some confusion amongst the fishing community regarding
illegal fishing prior to the closure.
Ironically, myself and some of the anglers had just gone through the Methow
River regulations. It was pretty straight forward stuff. “June 1-Sept
30 All Game Fish (as anyone who has read the regs knows, this includes
steelhead), selective gear rules." That sounded easy enough. We are
all familiar with that.
This is the part where there seems to be some confusion. Anywhere else
in the state where these rules apply, it is a legitimate open season,
even for steelhead. (IE. Skagit River spring C&R season) This is no
play on words, or semantics, it is simply the law.
Although there may be an October open kill steelhead fishery, that has/had
nothing to do with the already open fishing season on the Methow River
through September for C&R. Steelhead are part of the “All Game
Fish” regulation.
There may be some guys who have difficulty with anglers & guides fishing
over legal steelhead waters, but when the Methow is regulated as a C&R,
selective gear fishery, it is under proven sound biological management.
However, it appears that all this river closure has really done, is traded
off two weeks of our C&R, selective gear fishery, for a proposed steelhead
kill season. Can this Kill season demonstrate a better mortality rate
for the wild summer steelhead than C&R? And what happens to those
trophy cutthroat? Not a pretty picture, in my opinion.
Just for the record, the anglers I fished - never even saw a wild steelhead
in that last week we were on the river, (but the trout fishing was excellent.)
To those people who have worked so tirelessly to get the lower Methow
River open to angling to date, I truly hope we can all work together with
Washington Management to make sense of this, and enjoy a beautiful river.
The good news is the westside SRC season continues to go well. Searun
fishing is consistent from Deer Creek down through the North Fork, and
main Stilly as well. Our rolled muddler is our top pattern but SRC will
move to many patterns. Case in point: A terrific BWO hatch came off the
other afternoon that really go the fish to moving.
Only days away from our sojourn off to our beloved Grande Ronde River.
All our camp-outs have filled but the Oct 14-16 which has two slots available
(as we speak)
Our Skagit River Steelhead/Salmon school November 14-15 is already filling.
Happy to talk about that.
Best of fishing,
Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
9/14/08
"Perfect"
Fall continues to be my favorite time of the year. I mean, how can you
miss? Look, Mike is happier than a pig in pucky as he gets ready for another
SRC school day on the Stilly. Fishing is excellent and thanks to the salmon
closure, the river is a friggin grave yard right now. Perfect.
Our Flyfishing Schools are designed to be real time, on the water experiences.
The emphasis is always on instruction, but some fishing success doesn't
hurt either. This flyfishing school weekend continues to be a fishing
success with some instruction thrown in. Let’s just say the guys
are having a really good time.
“Even the blind squirrel finds the nut once in a while”
So pretty much all the guys have heard me rave about the effectiveness
of the Canadian style, Rolled Muddler. The fly, instruction and history
is best described in the current issue of Salmonfly.net.
Mike and I went over both wet and dry fly presentations in class, and
as it would happen, the lowly Rolled Muddler out performed all other patterns.
Lucky?
So Mike will be guiding SRC through the end of September, before the Grande
Ronde Steelhead Campouts begin. Always happy to talk about that! Very
cool.
Me? I take off for the Methow Valley again to chase the big Westslope
Cutties again, but this time we will spend half our time skating Crystal
Caddis for ...........Wow.. There is a emergency
closure on the Methow effective tommorrow for all fish. Gotta watch the
regs on this one. Dennis is fishing a section of water that the book regs
say is open to all game fish, catch and release...of course, selective
gear rules. If not familiar with the river in the transition from trout
to steelhead season because I have never fished it, I have been either
too early or later after the G.R. when the regs are clear. Apparently
you aren't supposed to target them until.... I don't know they "quickly
reached the catch-and-release fishery's ESA limit for incidentally caught
wild steelhead, necessitating the closure" and "Leland said fishery managers
are assessing the steelhead return to the region, and based upon wild
and hatchery returns could open a fishery in the next few weeks for hatchery
steelhead on portions of the upper Columbia River and some tributaries,
including the Methow River. That hatchery steelhead fishery would be allowed
under a separate federal permit." Either way it sounds like the wild steelhead
return on the river is good and they want to protect them, Kutos there.
And they may open for a hatchery fishery in a few weeks. Dennis is headed
home to catch cutts on the stilly, not a bad back up - Mike D
I have no idea why our Fall Salmon schools get so much attention, but
yet they do, so here you go. Dickson’s
Winter Flyfishing for Steelhead, * Dolly Varden, Coho and Chum Salmon
Schools Nov. 14 or 15
The Skagit predictions is for a good run of Chum this year, so that will
be nice. Hey, a great primer is the article I wrote some years back called
Flyfishing
Pacific Salmon in Freshwater. I review this article, myself.
So there you have it. Searuns are here. The Methow is there. Grande Ronde
is right around the corner, and the fall salmon are coming. All I can
say is, “Perfect”.
Best of fishing,
Dickson
425 238 3537 www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
9/7/08
Flyfishing Fall
First off, I want to thank Mike for taking over for the fishing report
last week. And thanks to so many of you for the kind words & fishing
questions. It is just my opinion but I think Mike is as good as it gets
when it comes to guiding steelhead & trout. We are never to busy to
answer a question. Ask away.
Me? I just spent the last week with my lovely wife and some friends up
at Whistler Mountain. No fishing, but we did do our bicycling and Kayaking.
It’s about the last time my wife and I will see each other until
I get home from the Grande Ronde in the late fall, so it was a special
time. September always begins the busy time of fall fishing.
Speaking of which:
The Skagit is a fall sleeper, when it comes to fishing. The big Dollies
are headed for their home waters as we speak. Many of those tribs. Including
the upper Sauk, are golden right now for fine trout fishing with the rivers
running so low. Explore a little. It’s really fun and plenty close.
Dries, nymphs and streamers are all fun.
And speaking of fun: I will be returning again for a couple more weeks
for the Methow River trouting. I often times do this evey year - September
fishing over there, as the upcoming anadromous fishes, along with cooling
water temps. make for some very fine trouting. The Methow is running low
right now, so if you get over there and decide to float, I would pick
your water carefully. The Met may look peaceful enough from the road but
the lower river has some nasty drops in the canyons. Skating the Crystal
Caddis is a lovely fly on some lovely water. Just don’t fish
it over the steelhead. They eat it. Huh?
While we are talking about surface flyfishing, I would be remiss if I
didn’t mention the current issue of Salmonfly.net
Steve has a really cool fall mag out right now. Dickson Flyfishing covers
a favorite fly for the premiere Searun Cutthroat. I have had way better
success with the Canadian version of the Rolled
Muddler (scroll down to other fishing reports) than all the spiders
series. But that is me. Check out this fly.
And if we talked about Searun Cutthroat: Man, it is tuff heading off to
the east side, when the SRC are just coming in right now. I am also very
sorry if you weren’t able to get into our 2008
SRC Tidewater School. Mike is down on the Kalama River
chasing steelhead as we speak, but he says he has a few guide days open
for Stilly SRC before we take off for the Grande Ronde at the end of September.
FYI (The Kalama steelheading is very good, he says)
Oh, I just did some checking with Bill from Bogan’s Oasis and he
says they have Grande Ronde steelhead showing up, already! As a biologist,
I can tell you these fish are either early, or they are on the front end
of a really big return. Friggin Cool!
Grande Ronde Campouts: Mike wanted to pass the word along, that the Oct
10-12 trip can take two anglers. At $599 for 3 day campout, don’t
think you are going to find a better deal. Happy to send our 2008 Grande
Ronde itinerary.
Please review my GR article: The
Grande Ronde & Mrs. Brown
That is about as much noise as I can make right now.
See you on the lower pool, www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
8/31/08
Mike here,
With the wet weather the North fork of the stilly
has been dirty just below C post rd. It is just now starting to clear.
It will still take a few till the lower stilly is clear again. Soon as
it does I'll be down there chasing src's around. They are one of my favorites.
I had some guys from concrete out the other day
so we hit the Skagit, not my first choice in the summer but we managed
to get a few hook ups, probably dollys - we didn't manage to keep them
on for long. We saw lots of kings rolling, some of the early ones are
spawning right now.
The swift creek take out had a big snag in a bad
spot, gotta watch out for that when you go to pull out there. I am looking
forward to hitting the Kalama soon. I do some of my best summer steelie
fishing there. They got a good run this year.
Jeremy is still in Northern Cali fishing and guiding
half pound steelies and adults. He sais fishing has been great. The water
down there is beautiful and there isn't much pressure on the rivers. If
anybody is interested in more info get a hold of me.
We are pretty much booked for the Grande Ronde with
a slot or two open. To the guys that are planning on buying equipment
from our shop making an order sooner is better than later, late September
I will be busy getting set up for our big trip.
Have a good summer.
P.s. I have a opening on Saturday on the kalama
and I do have a guy looking for a partner on September 27th, salmon, steelhead
and src's are the game.
Mike D and the boys. www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
8/24/08
Summer to fall
So there we were, having too much fun flyfishing the cutties on the eastside,
and Monsoon Mary comes howling through. The Methow River goes to zero
visibility, and just like that, it’s time to retreat. Such it life
sometimes.
All the while, Mike has been all about the upper Skykomish steelhead,
but things are shaping up for the Stilly, too. Do not fish black or pink
flies in the upper North Fork, the chinook salmon eat them.
The Rolled
Muddler, Canadian style, is my favorite tidewater SRC pattern. I tie
it in a gold tinsel for fall fishing, as this replicates the juvenile
Whitefish, a favorite food source for the migratory Searun Cutthroat.
This is the rain that really brings them in the westside river systems.
Speaking of which, now that the rains have subsided, I would watch for
the next dark day and head for the lower Stilly for SRC. If you do the
Stilly’s Silvana down, you should have your best success fishing
the incoming tide (but I have seen plenty of exceptions to this rule.)
I wrote Searun Cutthroat Tactics
pre-Rolled Muddler but I find this article still contains plenty of timely
material.
Silvana SRC school is right around the corner. Kudos for all who will
be joining us.
While I get ready to head east again, Mikey is on his way to southwest
Washington's Kalama River. He owns that steelhead river. Ask him for details.
Jeremy is off the Northern California's Kalamath River. A half-pounder
gig. I did this with him last fall. Really fun. Mike has the scoop. Three
guides, in three different directions. Hmmm......
The fall issue of Salmonfly.net will feature R.R., so I would being looking
for that in the coming weeks.
Getting to be time!
Mike’s Streamsideflyshop.com
carries 50 of our favorite fly patterns. Be sure to check out some of
our top Grande Ronde Steelhead guide flies!
"I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of
which actually happened."
--Mark Twain
Best of fishing,
Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
8/17/08
Here and there
Well, its been one of those kind of weeks. Mike and Jeremy have been playing
on the local Skykomish And Stilly rivers. Steelhead is the game but flyfishing
SRC & Dollies are also in the mix. Rivers are low & clear.
Flies: Time to start moving to the drab colors and smaller flies. Leaders
are longer and you can start fishing the surface now. Yeah!
Speak of which: I have been quietly fishing the Methow River for the last
dozen years. Nothing serious, just some Dennis time with surface flies.
This year, I spent this last week dry fly fishing with some close clients
and family. Very fun. We found both rainbows and cutthroat from Winthrop
all the way to Carlton, so I guess the good news is you can simply pick
your water. Not to over-state the obvious but always get permission before
crossing somebody’s property. It’s the way it is.
There isn't the hatches on the Met you are going to see on the Yakima,
but well placed hoppers, attractors & Stoneflies are good, at least
until the Kings start spawning. I will be over there fishing through next
week, then biology consulting brings me home for a bit.
Dickson guides are always fishing tidewater SRC for the first couple weeks
of September on the local Stilly and Snohomish rivers.
Our ever popular SRC Tidewater Stilly School
12, 13 (now added) 14th are ready to go. If you are interested in
learning SRC, talk to our head guide, Mike about getting in on the September
14.
Jeremy is headed down to his Northern California home river, the Klamath
, to chase ½ pounders. If you are interested, please contact him
at 425.760.7878
Me? I am slotted to be back on the Methow (again) in mid-September. October
Caddis should have both the summer steelhead and the big cutthroat coming
up for surface flies. Ah, such a tuff life.
Hard to believe it is only a month away before the Grande Ronde Campouts
are underway. After twenty some years, you wouldn't think I would get
all jazzed up, but I always do. Check out our
steelhead
video .Guys ask us all the time about our $599 for 3 days. Why so
inexpensive? Easy. We at Dicksons guide year round so we don't have to
make all our money in a couple month season. We simply pass the savings
onto you.
So that’s it. Summer is slipping into fall and that is my most favorite
time to fish. True Story.
Best of fishing,
Dickson guides www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
High & Low
August 10, 2008
Well, another summer week has rolled along. River levels are down, fishing
is decent. While Mike has been playing in the upper Skykomish River for
steelhead, I have spent the week on the Stilly North Fork. Nice.
An interesting phenomena: Much of our lower Stilly river Searun Cutthroat
spawning waters have been decimated by early development practices. Having
said that, I have also noticed in recent years more and more SRC showing
in the upper reaches of the North Fork. As I floated the upper river in
my little inflatable the other day, I actually began looking for these
anadromous fish. Sure enough, along the typical Chinook salmon pool, not
only were the summer steelhead hiding out with the salmon, but also Dollies
and SRC! This time I purposely left the 8 wt. home just to target these
sea going trout.
More good news. It has been my experience, the SRC prespawners (under
12") seldom travel very far up the North Fork. By contrast, the Searuns
in the Whitehorse to Whitman bridge area were definitely the bigger adult
spawners, running 13-20 inches. Very cool fish. Wulf patterns, foam Stone
dries, and rolled muddlers, all did the trick. Quite obviously, these
upper river searuns don't get the fishing pressure, so often the case
of the the lower river.
The N.F. summer Chinook will start spawning in the next couple weeks.
Egg patterns will be then become the drill. You won't normally see these
Searuns tucked up on the redds like an Alaskan rainbow (or Dollies) but
you will see them in the riffles dropping into the pools downstream. The
largest Searun I ever brought to hand a few years ago, was a lovely male
taped out @ 23.5” released, nymph fishing steelhead at Hazel.
Eastside action: All my summer stones are tied, along with a fly I call
the “Silly Hopper“. I head off tomorrow for the Methow River,
for the next couple weeks. Tuff guide gig, I know but what the heck. Mikey
gets the dubious honor of running the fishing report next weekend, while
I am gone. There is twice a year I think the Methow River shines above
the rest. Hopper time in August and October Caddis fishing in late September
as the steelhead enter. These Methow wild summer steelhead are the closest
thing to the trouty Grande Ronde steelhead, I have seen for surface flyfishing.
Top Fly? Crystal Caddis, of course.
What happens when an eagle and a North Fork Chinook salmon cross paths?
Read Eagles Are Like That.
Southwestern Washington:
Think Mikey mentioned he had a cancellation on the Kalama, first week
in September. Very good fishing. Speaking of which....
Stilly
Searun Cutthroat Schools Addition: Mike has now added the Sunday 14,
2008.
Contact him @ 425 330 9506
Northern California: Jeremy is heading down to guide the month of September
for the Kalamath
half-pounders. He will be back the first of October to fish the Grande
Ronde. We wish him all the best.
Flyfishing Politically Correct: I know how tempting it must be, to simply
parrot what other flyfishers have said. It is safe. A boat sitting in
a harbor is also safe, but it is not what the boat was built for. Don't
be afraid to step out in your experienced views. For everyone who will
loudly criticize, there are ten, who will quietly applaud.
Be the Toyota.
Best of fishing,
Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
8/3/08
"Getting that time"
Hi Gang,
Almost good to be back. Coming off vacations are always tuff. Dickson
guidess have been doing a lot more fishing than I. Man, it is a sweet
scenario when you can't decide to head upstream or down.
Stilly finally has dropped into summertime flows. SRC alway follow the
first major salmon migration and this year that is the Stilly summer Chinook.
Searuns are now sprinkled from tidewater in the mainstem all the way up
to the North Fork's Hazel area. I would love to tell you there is concentrations
of these fine anadromous trout.....but they are a nomad, and right now,
covering water is the way to find them. Any of your breather patterns
are going to get it done. They won't turn to hatches for another few weeks.
The fall issue of Salmonfly.net coming up will include our go-to SRC fly,
but you don't mind waiting on that, right?
Steelhead fishing in the Skykomish and Stilly North Fork is what I would
describe as so-so. Our top guide Mikey is already booking up for his favorite
Southwest Washington waters, and they have a ton of summer steelhead coming
in. Think September and talk directly to Mike (425 330 9506), but I would
call soon. He quietly books up early for this one.
Right now I am tying up all my summer stoneflies, hoppers and Madam "X".
I will be heading across the North Cascades for a couple weeks of guidng
over on the Methow. Yeah, there is just something about Westslope Cutthroat
on dries. My buddies tell me the river is fishing well, now. Very cool.
So you pick your poison. Do you head down to the salt and chase a Cut?
Move on up and swing for a steelhead? Drive east and find the trout, or
wait for a bit and ambush the Southwest fish? Nobody even said anything
about our Grande Ronde adventures coming up in October. Most of our campouts
are full or nearly so, but there can be room if you are flexible. Love
to talk.
Hey, I didn't say I had a tuff life, just a busy one.
Best of fishing,
Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
7/27/08
Mike again,
We have been fishing the stilly and sky. With the
water low we have still managed to find a few fish. Jeremy has even found
a few early src's.
The Sky is low at 2600 cfs but has some nice color with around 3-4 ft.
vis from a bit below high bridge down past lewis st. bridge in Monroe.
We had a good time in our schools with a great bunch of guys. It's always
fun converting gear fishermen. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we are
better than our fellow gear guys, it just nice to see more fishermen getting
into a style of fishing I love.
The stilly is low and easy to find fish - look for the deepest spots you
can find. We hooked a nice steelie early friday in Hazels but lost him
to a head shake on a spectacular jump. From Dear creek down - the stilly
also has nice color. I have heard the South fork of the stilly has a few
fish.
A couple years ago I was talking to a cousin of
a friend of mine that works at the stilly hatchery say they were going
to release some more fish in Canyon creek those fish would have returned
this year, something to think about. Jeremy said he looked at the upper
Sauk and the water was still a little high and running fast.
I recently joined a membership with the Coastal Conservation Association
Washington chapter http://www.ccapnw.org
The CCA has been active in virtually every national fisheries debate since
1984 and has participated productively in state and federal fisheries
management issues for longer than two decades. They could use your support,
check them out.
Ps. I have a guy that needs a partner for Saturday on the Skykomish. If
interested get at me.
Till next week,
Mike D www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
7/20/08
This is Mike again, Dennis will be back in town on Tuesday.
There are some salmon, steelhead and trout in the rivers. The stilly is
a little low and the sky is ok at about 3500 Cfs. If your looking for
trout on the Sky you can camp at Money Creek campground and fish around
that area.
Crabbing season is open too, that's always fun to pull up some pots and
have a tasty treat. Last year me and a couple buddy's won a Camano Islasnd
crabbing tournament. With the first to limit and biggest crab. You can
always do some beach fishing for src's while you wait for your pots to
fill up. One of my favorite patterns is the rolled muddler found on my
site - http://streamsideflyshop.com/flies.htm
I have some Kalama dates open for September 6th and 7th. If you haven't
checked out that fishery you might like it. They get a good number of
summer runs. Most of the time we do sight fishing. Sneaking up on fish
and stalking them is tricky but a lot of fun.
I also still have a guy that needs
a partner for August 3rd on the Sky.
A bunch of our Grande Ronde dates
are filled but there are still a few more spots left, get them while they
last. Dennis handles the booking for that one so you'll have to get a
hold of him.
Here is a heads up from Olympia - With summer in
full swing, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is reminding
recreational boaters that they are legally required to remove all aquatic
plants from their boats and trailers before driving away from the launch
ramp.Those that fail to do so could face a $378 fine.
The Weather is nice get out side.
Mike and the boys. www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
July 13th
Mike here, Dennis is out of town. Everything is
going great. Summer is in full swing and the rivers are calming down after
some run off and looking good. I have been mostly fishing the Sky. The
Sky came down from being high last weekend and brought in a few new steelies.
Max, the guy in the picture sent me a text saying he caught another fish
on his own a couple days after we caught this one.
The vis from high bridge down was perfect at about
3+ feet. The Sultan river was pretty clear at 6+ feet. I have seen some
kings rolling and talked to a few gear guys that have done pretty good.
They are kinda hard to target on the fly but we get a few here and there.
The Stilly has been a little slow but we should start seeing some more
fish real soon.
I just got home from the Methow Valley. I was there over the weekend for
a wedding, yes it is that season too. I brought my 4 wt. to see if I could
find a few trout. I had a great time with the river to myself. The Methow
was in shape with 6+ft of vis. The lower you go in the river, the higher
it got. I fished from Carlton up to Winthrop. I ended up hooking some
bows and some nice cutthroat on dries. I love that Valley, it's so pretty.
Back to business, I have a client that is looking
for a partner for the 1,2 and 3rd. He is fishing with me all 3 days so
if any of those days work for you get at me. Also I will be doing some
afternoon to eve trips on the stilly and sky. usually starting at 2-3pm
to dark.
P.s. A friend of mine is traveling/fishing in Alaska - check out his
report.
Till next week,
Mike And the Guys.
Dickson Flyfishing www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
7-6-08
"Happy 4th!"
The 4th of July is not only the celebration of our great country, but
it is also the unofficial kickoff of the summer steelheading in the North
Sound streams. One of biggest, baddist steelhead of them all is the early
summer 3 salt steelhead.
Here is the scoop:
The Stilly has been dropping for the last few days. Water is very clear
from Boulder River upstream, but not so much from Deer Creek, down to
the mouth. "Show them something different" is still the fly
order of the day. Both nymphing, and swinging are getting it done. I wouldn't
bother going with the somber colors yet. That is more of a August-September
thing. Just fish the right water, and get it in front of them. Steelhead
will hit an array of shapes, colors and sizes.
Wow! The Skagit has a full blown snow melt going on. The Dam boys are
releasing like crazy. I look for that river to remain unfishable for the
next while. Stay tuned there.
Skykomish mainstem: The Sky was out during the week, but the cool weather
the past few days, has sent it into a drop. Mike is back on the Sky tomorrow,
so we will see how the Sultan to Monroe section is fishing, real time.
We like the bigger marabous in black, red/orange or our never-fail Blue/Purple
marabous to get it done. A type 4 sinktip is always good.
It just wouldn't be summer without a review of the guys favorite North
Fork story. Please read, The
Cranky Client.
Thank you all for the wonderful response to the latest edition of Salmonfly.net.
Summer steelhead flies & fishing is always fun. Happy to be a part
of it.
I promised the latest update to our ever popular Grande Ronde Cabins &
Campouts gig. Living testimony you don't have to be expensive to be quality.
I still get all jacked up watching the Grande
Ronde video.
Dates still available. Singles welcome. $599 3 day campout.
Oct 10-12th 3 slots open
Oct 19-21 2 slots open
When you get serious about flyfishing steelhead, come see us.
Best of fishing,
Dickson & Son www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
6/292/08
“ Some like it hot”
First let me give a big thanks for the many who responded to last week's
fiasco up in Alaska, described in last week's fishing report. I don't
know why I am surprised of the shameless booking of some fishing camps
when they obviously know migrating fish won't show in their area for weeks.
According to your many emails, this protocol is friggin rampant, in so
many big money fishing areas, of the world. Sad. Sure, we have all been
connected to a fishless day. Sometimes weather and or fishing simply conspires
again you. That's fishing. Out right deceit is another. For some reason
this letter I received the other day, stuck with me. The author has graciously
allowed me to share it with you. Thank you.* [ I have purposely deleted
sensitive information regarding author and or location]
"Dennis and Mike..........hello. this email will come out of the
blue of sorts from someone who has enjoyed your website (for sometime
now).........and deeply appreciates the weekly fishing reports.......plus
all the wonderful information you have chosen to share through your site...........plus
your past articles........just gold. I couldn't pass an opportunity to
say hello after reading your Alaska trip......wow........ Sometimes the
urge to fish at whatever the conditions or time is just too much..........and
I have to grab my stuff and go.......but spending the $ you did and just
a couple of weeks away from probably some top notch water.......I feel
for ya..............I really do.
My name is Ken and I grew up in the Everson
/ Lynden area for the 1st 22 years of my life............1/2 mile from
the Nooksack river........at a time back in the 60s and 70s where things
were declining on the Nook...........but still pretty good. My grandfather
was a steelhead man and took me many times to the [Delete] area and the
confluence etc. The main stem around the Everson bridge (up and down)
was also good at times.........but higher up usually better. I have lived
the past 28 years here in So Cal......and am an insurance exec now for
over 24 years........but still come back for visits as Alaska airlines
makes it easy. I switched from gear some 15 years ago during a company
sponsored trip to Sun Valley Idaho........and what was then "Snug
fishing" guide service located on the grounds of the Sun Valley Lodge.
[delete] I spent some good time in and around the area including the famous
Silver Creek. I learned a ton but have learned even more thanks to your
site.
Here in So Cal of course things are much different..........but
amazingly enough (with all the people we have )............the upper [delete]
river is decent and the West Fork does have a CNR section with selective
gear etc. Early spring is best as there is runoff from Mt Baldy.........and
if you are willing to walk...........it will weed out most and there is
a good 1/2 mile or so of some decent fly water.
Well.......I'll stop here and once again...........thanks
so much for your site. Best of luck at the Grande Ronde coming soon this
fall. And remember.........there are plenty of readers who appreciate
your weekly reports................ Ken"
"Snow melt"
Well, the cool weather we experienced coming into last week kept the rivers
well fishable. Summer steelhead flyfishing is not what I would call great,
but certainly worth sojourn.
The Skykomish River has now risen dramatically in
the last couple days, due to the warm weather run-off. When the weather
goes back to cool, look for the river to drop, again. When it does, steelhead
flyfishing in the High Bridge to Sultan area may be your best gig. Right
now the recent snow melt has the water high and cold. I would continue
to fish your winter sinktips until summer finishes the snow off, and rivers
drop to fishable levels.
N.F. Stilly: The Stilly gave up a fine little hatchery
steelhead to me the other day. I was probing a likely little run with
a # 6 Bead head Flash back Prince Nymph, on my trout rod. The water above
Boulder Creek was running very clear. That was fun. I came back the following
day to find the river had risen over a foot. Bummer. Such is the nice
weather.
Haven't spent time in the upper Skagit this week.
I see the snow melt has caught up with this stream too.
After the many years, I have come to the conclusion
we fisher people are not a happy lot. We tend to complain about just about
everything (and everybody). I mean, we have waited a friggin year for
this nice weather. We finally get it, and of course the rivers rise with
snow melt. So we complain. Such is me.
On a Happy Note: Salmonfly.net: The summer issue
of Salmonfly.net is dedicated to the pursuit of summer-run steelhead.
Our favorite Grande Ronde surface fly Crystal
Caddis is featured in both history and tying description. Kudos Steve,
very nice issue.
To look for:
For summer steelhead, a trip down to the Cowlitz
River right now, is a consistent one. Later it will be Mike's Kalama.
I call it "Mikes" because he seems to never miss there in September.
Scary good.
My trouting eye balls have me watching the water
levels on the Methow River. Seems to just get better and better each summer.
I will wait until after July 15. Too much water until this eastside river
flushes a bit. August hopper fishing when the water is down, can be just
stellar.
As summer rolls: It won't be long before the snow
melt is a memory along the banks of the Stilly. Here is an episode that
happened a few years ago. For all you rock throwing steelhead groupies,
you are going to get a kick out of this story. I just call it, "Steelhead
Dogs".
"Do not condemn the judgement of another
because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong."
-Dandemis
Best of fishing,
Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
425 238 3537
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
6/22/08
Guide Rule # 1 Run timing is everything
Yup, I should have known better than that. This may be the hardest fishing
report I have ever written. You see, I have been toying with a Nushagak
River Alaska fly-fishing trip for several years now. As a fisheries biologist
and a long time outfitter, it’s not like it is my first day at the
office. I pretty much knew what I was looking for. Or at least I thought
so.
As we were there to fish the projected 650,000 returning chum salmon,
I wanted to see if these Nushagak River fish would respond to waking flies
as they do on the Alagnak. I think I had done my homework. I knew we wanted
to fish around July 1 to get a shot at these chrome bodied tidewater fish.
I also know now what happens if you come too early.
I was in the midst of shopping around the 30 some fishing camps to see
who had availability in this time slot. I ran across an old Washington
friend & guide I hadn't seen in years. He has run a camp up there
for many years. We did manage to hook up but the only time slot he had
was June 16-20. Now that should have told me something.
Alaska Lodges Guide Rule #2
Established lodges and camps center their fishing around the time when
the greatest portion of the salmon are going through. Clients rebook for
these primetime dates every year. Why my little group ended up in preseason
is simple. It was the only dates the outfitter had left. (We just didn't
know it.)
I must confess I was fairly concerned about getting up on the Nush too
early. I called him up.
“Hey, I am concerned about getting there too early. Tell me straight,
If the fish are a even a week late, are we still on top of the Chum?
“You bet”. There will be lots of fish swimming across all
the shallow bars,” He said.
So we spend the $10,000 for the 3 of us, spend another $3000. for air
flights, and head off to Dillingham. This sleepy little town of 2,500
is the official stop-over before the fly-out to base camp.
Rule # 3 Ask local people who are not trying to sell you a trip.
We meet up with a really nice guy who runs a B&B. Owner Rick has lived
up in Dillingham for years. He became curious about our fly-fishing trip,
when I mentioned we came up specifically to flyfish the the chum salmon.
(Most anglers are up for the kings).
He says, “Uh oh.” Wow, that sounds too early for those. Let
me check with AF&W and see what the numbers are coming through the
river sonar. I may be wrong, but pretty sure the Kings come in first.
The really good chum fishing is not for a couple weeks. July 1 is ideal
..."
Our hopes of chum on top were sinking fast. Rick's
phone call confirmed it. Few Kings, fewer chum. On a good note, we did
have a lovely stay at Ricks, and his salmon fillets were grilled to perfection,
and I can say so. After chasing them around the region for some 40 years,
I know a little bit about salmon.
I have also developed a really slick way of gathering no BS fishing info.
Bush Pilots. They simply have no reason to lie .I have also found over
time, if you discuss with a bush pilot three things:
1) Tell them you are fly fishing
2) Tell them what time and species you are looking for. Any ideas where
to look?
3) Given 1& 2, What lodge/camp seems to have the happy clients coming
back every year? Trust me, they will tell you. Why I didn’t follow
my own advice, I will never know.
Guide Rule # 4 Water conditions
The Nushagak in mid June is in full run-off. Happens every year.The water
was 3 feet over the gravel bars when we fished. Bottom line, the fish
could be spread out anywhere, as they make their way upstream. When you
are dealing with a river the size of the Snake River, if this doesn’t
concern you, it should. We spend our entire trip with a our backs pushed
up against the willows. Not a pretty back cast. One of our camp guides
later told me, we should have waited until the water level was down, and
bars are showing. He confided the first of July is a great time to come.
By the way, that’s when the first good chum numbers are heading
through, too.
Gee, good to know.
So we fished our four days…..hard. We did do a lovely fly-out to
another river (that was $1000/angler day) and caught some nice rainbows
and char. Our guide Adam told us we had a good time. I couldn't help but
wonder what that river would be like if the river levels were down about
3 feet, and full of sockeye and gorging rainbows. Another guide named
Brad, from a neighboring lodge (really nice guy) later told us, the real
fishing all starts happening around July 1. Are you starting to get a
picture here?
Our group:
Orin did manage to catch a small adult chinook. John got a huge pike but
wasn’t impressed in the fight. Mike & I worked through the ultra
high water fishing on the lovely fly-out waters, for rainbows and char
but sadly we found the salmon fishing on the Nushagak was all but extinct.
No wonder the Outfitter booked us on the first flight out of camp at trip
end. I felt for the next victims coming in.
I can just hear Adam telling the next group of anglers, “Now the
fishing is going to be a little slow for the first few days, but that
big push of salmon will be coming through any day now, happens every year.”
(As you can imagine, Adam wasn't saying much by our trip's end.)
Moral of the story:
Do your homework. The real fishing on the the Nushagak doesn’t really
start until the water drops a bit, usually around July 1. Maybe a week
earlier for Kings and a week later for Chum.
You may have to find an up and coming fishing camp to get on the river
at prime time. They can't afford to screw up. They need your business.
If they cater to fly fishers, so much the better. The sad reality for
you is, the established lodges and camps will probably have their prime-time
slots already filled with repeat clientele. Good luck getting in. Do not
get suckered into a preseason date like we did. A waste of time and money.
What does it mean when as you fly out at the end of the trip to see half
the fishing camps, still setting up their tents? You have been played,
Man......
“If you have been at the poker table for more than ten minutes,
and still can't figure out who the sucker is…..it’s you.”
"Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving
there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof."
-- John Kenneth Galbraith
Dickson
www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
6/15/08
"Barely here"
Mike, I and a couple cronies take off the for the Nushagak River this
morning. We are checking out a new fishing camp that is all about tidewater
Kings and top-water Chum. You would think that a guy who has been a full
time flyfishing guide for over twenty years, wouldn't get all jacked up
over this stuff, but to be real honest, my head has been in Alaska for
the past few days now. Will Cop car work as well here as on my Yakutat
waters? Will the foam body skaters that drilled the Tarpon Island fish
last winter, raise a chrome bodied Chum? So what is more fun, anticipating
the experience, or the experience, itself?
Gees, I have had so many Alaska episodes over the years, I wouldn't know
where to start to start to tell them all. As Dickens would say, "It
was the best of times, it was the worst of times". Such is Alaska.
Fishing at home:
Skykomish River. (7,900 cfs @ Sultan) The Sky was down and in, early in
the week. The rains has put it on a slow rise. I would call the King and
steelhead fishing; So-so. Try fishing the High Bridge float. Blue/purple
marabou is my favorite "light off the water fly", and red/orange
can be good when the sun is out. When You get below May Creek, Kings like
Cop Car.
Skagit: The Skagit has done just the opposite. It started out and 7,000
cfs @ Marblemonut but has dropped for the last few days. Plenty of kings
in the upper river, but I think as a flyfisher, you have to be nuts to
get on the Cascade River. No use looking for trouble. Plenty of water
if you just float. Cop Car is hard to beat, but the bubblegum pink in
bunny or marabou is good for Kings and their jacks.
North Fork Stilly: Is fishing well as we speak. The steelhead will only
be so-so but a surprising amount of early Searun Cutthroat already in
the system. A trend I have been noticing over the past 10 years is; as
the lower SRC tribs degrade, seems like more and more spawners are taking
up the upper river feeder streams.
Nature is truly amazing in her adaptability, at times.
Like you, I am still waiting on summer to show. Perhaps it can come before
Labor day? Here is a funny experience I had a few years back while fishing
a summer day, on the North Fork. I call it the New
Zealand Connection.
They tell me it is still really cold in the Alaskan camp. All an experience,
all and adventure. Tell you all about it next week.
Food for thought: "Just because your voice reaches halfway around
the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the
end of the bar."
~Edward R. Murrow
Best of fishing,
Dickson "A full time flyfishing guide service, since 1985".
www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
6/8/08
" Right place, right time. "
My favorite early summer steelhead stream is the Skykomish River while
the river is running full, between 7,500 and 10,000 cfs. Why? Separation.
Right now the Sky is running at 8,000 cfs @ Sultan River. The "bankies"
can't wade to most islands yet, so if you can come in by boat, the pools
are yours. Little guide trick. More on the Sky.
River Levels:
How to read it: Just remember this, If the Skykomish or Skagit is your
choice, 10,000 cfs is about as high as they fish, in those respective
regions. Stilly I like under 3,000 cfs. Sauk @ Sauk I prefer under 7,000
cfs.
Our weather patterns have kept our local rivers in a roller coaster mode.
The great news is, new summer steelhead continue to move in on every high
water. Fishing the high-water seams is the drill. Check River Levels before
you head out.
I think I mentioned fishing your typical winter
patterns for the early fish. Anybody who says that these hatchery steelhead
don't fight, hasn't caught many of them, period.
Hey I managed to sneak off and fish one of the local
panfish lakes. We caught a bit of everything. I almost forgot how much
fun it was. Next time I am going to bring the Skagit Skater. Kills the
Sekiu and Neah Bay Rockfish, should have had some, as the bass are actively
bedding. Wow, late spring or what?
Stilly (3, 400 cfs.) is still not in yet. Mostly
a rain thing, now. Drier weather should put you there. And summer is coming
when?
Skagit: The King Kill is going on. Dolly/Bulls are hanging around. Water
has dropped to a fine level @ 5,000 cfs / Marblemount, but still pretty
cold. It could warm a bit for the surface stuff. Pink and white marabous
on a sinktip, are a better choice right now.
Fishing Forecast:
We will continue fishing the Sky as long as new
steelhead swim the lower river. In a few weeks if the water drops, we
will focus on the Highbridge to Sultan River, area. We don't mess around
into the forks, until after the WDFW trucking begins July 15.
Dickson guides will putter around the Stilly North Fork throughout the
summer, but the upper Sauk is a wonderful hidy-hole when the river finally
goes into summer low. (Probably not until mid August, this year.)
I enjoy the Stilly tidewater SRC as much as anything,
but it may not be back until the rains stop. Mike's beadhead Rolled Muddler,
with the pearl wing is golden. Find it in his Streamsideflyshop. all
flies section.
It's B.C. Lakes time again. I have been fishing
the Kamloops area longer than I have been married to my Canadian wife.
(32 years). If you head to B.C. just remember, the weather is friggin
volatile up there too, right now. Having said that, a buddy just returned
to tell he really got into a lovely midge hatch on a local Kamloops lake
and just slammed them. Right place, right time. Flyfishig
Ducks is also a favorite local lakes story. Check it out.
I think I mentioned, that a few of us are headed back to Alaska, soon.
Skating flies for tidewater chum is the drill. Way too much fun.
My Momma used to say you should let others do your
bragging for you. As we get questioned almost every day about our upcoming
Grande Ronde
fishing, here are some 60 Testimonials,
many about our GR fishing. Happy to answer any questions.
The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last
is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
-Max DePree
Best of fishing,
Dickson & Son www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
6-1-08
"Opening Day"
I almost had to chuckle when I checked the USGS
river levels this morning. Here is why. The rivers are full of snow run-off
as we speak. Experience has taught me the Stilly North Fork at Deer Creek,
fishes best from 3,000 cfs and below. As of this write? It is at 3,030.
Result: Probably still a little too high, but definitely turning the corner.
We will see if this nice warm weather affects the run-off which of course,
impacts the river levels. June 1 finds early hatchery summer steelhead
beating feet for home. On the North Fork Stilly, that means Fortson Hole.
If you are not into bobbers and jigs, I suggest your winter sink tips
and a type 4 head to get down. Blue/purple marabou works well with the
light off the water.
Skagit River: The upper river will be getting it
done. Flows are down and the river already begins to fish well, but the
down-side is; there is not a lot of new steelhead up there. However, The
2008 Skagit summer season is looking for a bumper crop of hatchery bound
Chinook Salmon this year . These are large, strong fish that prefer heavier
river flows, and that translates to the second seam out. Skagit Kings
like hot pink. Mike's
hot pink articulated Bunny Leech is a yummy fly.The Skagit's Marblemount
bridge - downstream to Rockport - is worth a shot. All marabous including
Cop Car will be working. Fish above the Sauk as that mother trib. at flood
stage as we speak. Weird.
The Skykomish River is another "too high"
but barely. It is resting just over 10,000 cfs, but if it comes down at
all, those island pools become golden steelhead pools. Fish your typical
winter stuff, but concentrate on the riffley heads, Summer steelhead require
lots of oxygen and most anglers start too low in the run. Look for the
3 salt fish to enter first. These large summer steelhead are not the best
biters......but they are definitely one of the hottest fish that swim
the river, especially taken right out of saltwater. Lewis Street to Monroe
will be getting it done. A few Chinook are also showing.
Alaska: Mike & I will be heading up to Alaska
with guests for a week again, later this month. We will be off on the
Nush. chasing tidewater Kings & Chum. A fly-out rainbow trout day
will round out the gig. I have been using the same Yancy flyline for the
past seven years. A simple wipe-down is all I have ever done. Oh, I have
also developed some new foam poppers that knocked the cr#p out of the
Tarpon Island Tarpon last winter. Can't wait to see what these nickel
bright Chums do with these scaled down surface flies.
Speaking of surface flies:
Grande
Ronde Cabins & Campouts: $599. An October, 3 day angling trip.
As a super angling bargain, most of our GR expeditions are full again
for 2008. We do have a few selective openings in our back-to-back, 3 day
steelhead campouts this October. A full scoop on Washington's best surface
steelhead river is found in: The
Grande Ronde and Mrs. Brown. Yes, single anglers are welcome. If you
have never witnessed the adrenalin rush of a steelhead at your surface
fly, well..... Happy to send our 2008 Itinerary so you can see for yourself!
Salmonfly.net
will have a featured write- up of our favorite top-water Grande Ronde
steelhead fly, Crystal Caddis. Look for it in in their upcoming summer
issue.
"To be successful, you must decide exactly
what you want to accomplish, then resolve to pay the price to get it."
-- Bunker Hunt
Steelhead Bums are us,
Dickson boys www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
Monday, May 26
Our state is stirring with the change of season.
The west side is getting a fair mix of rain and sun, and the snow is melting
in the hills in the east. Our massive snow pack from this winter has swollen
the rivers with biblical proportions of water. That means even with the
opener on the first, we will probably be waiting to fish except for a
few select stretches of water.
Luckily, the lake scene is picking up, or in full
swing depending on where you fish. The water temps are just about perfect
for trout right now. Since the rivers have either been out of shape, or
season there has been a lot of pressure on the lakes. That won't last
forever.
Shad, which are the largest fish in the herring
family and commonly run upwards of six to seven pounds, are beginning
to move up the Columbia. They are one of my favorite summer fisheries.
There is something about "easy" fishing that appeals at times.
Especially for the times when the family gets out together. Success is
pretty much guaranteed. Sparse silver/white flies with weight or dumbbell
eyes, and either fluoro red, or green heads swung behind a fairly heavy
sink tip will work. Don't strip, and be patient on the hang-down. Probably
close to half of the fish hit the fly once it stops swinging. The only
"trick" to shad fishing is to park your boat on a traveling
lane. The hook-ups are fast and furious once you find the depth they are
traveling at. My best results happen when I present the fly to them at
eye level.
Summer steelhead season is less than a week away.
I don't know about you, but I have kelts on the brain!
I'll see you on the water.
Jeremy Floyd www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
5/18/08
" Its a tuff gig, but somebody has to do it.
"
How many times have you heard that one? Sometimes
it's close to home, other times a plane ride away.
Spring may not be so kind tomorrow, but for today
at least, it is a lovely stay. Only problem is; all that snow is now in
the rivers and they are friggin gone!
May is always a travel time for us, and this one
is no different. We only get this small window of opportunity to explore,
so of course we try to cover as much ground ....er, water as possible.
Yakima River:
Not much to say here, but this spring runoff is
going to knock the rivers for a while. That can be good.
Smallmouth Bass may be the most under-utilized fishery
we have in this state. Watch for the water temps to hit 65 degrees for
the spawning run to swing into gear. The Lower Yakima near the Tri-Cities
can be amazing as the hatchery Chinook smolts flush the system, but don't
try it when the river is running over 4,500cfs. The Key is to watch the
bird action when/ if the water comes down. Then it's, find the birds,
and Bronzey is close by.
Speaking of birds: May is a wonderful time to fire
up the big boat and play the kelp beds between Sekiu and Neah Bay. Scan
the kelp lines for crashing birds, and the big black Rockfish are in there,
slashing and dashing. I am sure you could toss in your kitchen knife and
catch fish, when the baitball frenzy is firing, but a foam-head popper
like our Skagit Skater is just barely this side of criminal. Better bring
your 9 weight. These bad boys of Rock can get it done.
Also a good time to sneak away and flyfish at your saltwater beaches.
I can't tell you about flyfishing Dollies because it is not open for killing
Dollies, but if you fish foamheads in the surface or sinktip Clousers
on Camano Island & Whidbey beaches, you are going to find some awesome
fish, while fishing for Searun Cutthroat. Stick to points and coves, and
away from the the dirty river mouths. Of Course, watch for bait. Pretty
Cool. Hood Canal has some consistent action, too. Try off the mouths of
the feeder creeks that aren't puking mud..
If big fish lakes are your gig, a really cool sleeper
is the Lahontan trout Cutthroat of Lake OMAK is pretty special. Careful.
You will need a tribal permit, and the winter grip will have the season
pushed back a bit. Well placed woolley Buggers in green and black and
don't forget your Choronomids patterns. They all flat get it done. Bring
your polarized glasses as some dandy sight fishing opportunities present
along the shoals. (read the regs! for lake area closures!)
Banks Lake is another lovely Smallmouth fishery
but it Osborn Bay Carping that gets me cranked. Watch for this to open
up if this warm weather has any legs.
British Columbia trout Lakes? Please, how long do
you have? It isn't just here that has taken all the snow. Try the lowland
lakes around Kamloops & Merritt, but be warned. It's barely spring
up there.
So what's Next?
Summer Steelhead Rivers: (Watch for emergency stream
closures)
With the June 1 opener just around the corner, it is just a couple weeks
before me and the boys will head back to work for serious. According to
the river levels, the snow pack has just broke loose, but here is an upcoming
preview, once the river levels subside.
Skykomish River: A fine steelhead flyfishing stream,
look for a lot of guys in a lot of boats, running up and down the river
around opening day. I call them "Chevy truck commercials" because
they only seem to have to two speeds, flat out, or stop. More fish in
and the boating pressure falls way off. Look for the best fishing to be
up around Highbridge, if it's fishable. You are looking for a river level
below 10,000 cfs at Sultan River, come June 1st. When the snow pack release
is raising the water, and all the steelhead will move to the soft current
seams. Only the most savvy anglers will know where to look.
Sauk & Skagit rivers: Not much in the way of
a hatchery steelhead. Dollies & the wild Sauk summers will intro a
little later this summer.
North Fork Stilly: The little NF is running high
but it is a small drainage so it tends to clean up faster than the big
watersheds. We always get an early pulse of summer hatchery fish to Fortson
around the June opener. Bobbers & jigs is the norm. That is more and
more late spawning wild winter fish each year from C-Post upstream to
Fortson. Release them gently.
Flies: Everything works. I like Marabous and practitioners, but steelhead
will hit it all. Find them and slow it down.
Flylines: Flylines
Catch Fish is probably the most informative article I have ever written.
Check it out. Just as selecting the right club or iron for the golf shot
will make the gig, so it fishing the right tip for the right pool.
Of the some 40 flyfishing article & Stories
I have ever written, A
Doctors Wife Who refused to Fish is the one the Gals enjoy the most.
Our summer steelhead season is almost upon us, pray
the snow we prayed for, is kind. Some of us like to fish.
Best of Fishing,
Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
5/11/08
Mike here,
Well summer keeps teasing us. It looks like the
weather will start warming up this next week. We have been mostly fishing
on some local lakes. Dad is getting ready to head over and fish the Yakima
with some friends this next week. Check out our guide trips page...
http://www.flyfishsteelhead.com/guiding.htm
We have made it easier for you to see what we are doing a little further
in advance, with a yearly calendar. Some trips book up faster than others
- but you can book a trip as early as you want to reserve a date in the
year. We also added a couple schools in the summer.
I took the Cop car, Mrs. Black and a few other trick flies off the members
only page and added them to the main fly pages on the pro
shop. I was never one to be real protective of our patterns but when
we first added our flies to the site we asked some of our clients if we
should put everything out there or not and we came up with the members
only page. Now the flies have leaked out anyways.
I don't get too hung up on having the perfect flie.
Most of the time I am looking for the right size, weight, color, or function.
A heads up at the Chateau Ste. Mitchelle Winery, Woodinville, WA 5 to
9 is a wild fish soiree and benefit auction you can check it out at http://www.wildfishconservancy.org/
Get outside and play,
Dickson flyfishing www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
Fishing report 5-04-08
"And then there was trout"
Nature seldom sleeps here in the Pacific Northwest.
It is more like it takes frequent winter naps. Spring continues give the
illusion it's here, while winter refuses to lose her grip. Willows are
popping, Alder, and Salmonberry are greening up. Slowly, very slowly.
A little trick I came up years ago while Eastern
Washington trout fishing "masking hatches" in shallow bays for
really spooky fish is; instead of a bobber and nymph, go with a parachute
Adams, as an indicator, and the appropriate nymph on point. We often witness
an early season sparse Mayfly hatch, but midges are still being selected
by the trout. This combo not only doesn't scare the fish in presentation,
but many feeders take the dropper fly. Of course this dropper gig, is
the oldest thing on the Yak, but it is surprising how few anglers I see
use it, on the trout lakes.
Lakes are still cold, river runoff is almost a daily
occurrence. One day it's up the next it is dropping again.
We have been fishing a few of the west-side lakes.
Now I am itching to do some trout river fishing. There is just something
about rivers.
Normally, I should be talking about the Northsound
steelhead heading upstream and Dollies & out-migrating fry heading
down. Maybe next spring. I will be poking around the Yakima River next
week. I used to guide this river a lot, especially in May. Will feel good
to be back.
Salmonfly.net
Wow! Now that was a good idea. Founder Steve Burke has a classy gig.
Be sure and check it out. Thank you so much for all the great response
as Dickson's became a contributor. It was so nice to hear from so many
of you. Cop Car is not our first fly but it definitely is a popular steelhead
pattern in our circle. Try fishing it on a sinktip when rivers are running
high and cold. Now, I won't steal Steve's thunder, but we hope to change
gears and show off our favorite summer skating pattern, Crystal Caddis,
in his July-August issue. Should be fun.
As our summer steelhead season is only a few weeks
away, here is a story about my first encounter with a summer wild steelhead,
some 48 years ago. It is called, Life
On Canyon Creek.
This is the true joy in life: The being used for
a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. The being a force of
nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances,
complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community. As long
as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can -- I want to
be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live.
"Life is no brief candle to me;
it is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment,
and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on
to future generations."
- George Bernard Shaw
Enjoy your week,
Dickson, Dickson & Floyd www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
4-27-08
“Opening Day”
When I was a boy, I remember riding my JC Higgins bicycle down to Pioneer
Ponds for the opening day of fishing. Man, It was better than Christmas.
That was many moons ago, but the feeling remains. There is just something
about fishing.
This is only about the third time in my career, that steelhead seasons
were closed prematurely, but it does feel great to chase trout.
May time - is trout time - for Mike, Jeremy and I. We will be splitting
time between the lakes and stream. After chasing steelhead over the year,
I always look forward to the change. Mother’s Day hatch on the Yak.
is kind of a tradition with me & mine.
Speaking of trout:
Here is a episode I wrote, flyfishing on a British Columbia Lakes trip.
I titled it, “ Mouth
to mouth, combat”.
Grande Ronde Steelhead
I promised I would give an availability update for our October surface
steelheading. This is always tuff because booking is so dynamic (first
come- first serve)......please check in before sending a deposit.
Our 3
day Cabins & Campout is the most popular steelhead fishery we
do.
Oct 1-3 Full
Oct 3-5 Full
Oct 6-8 Full
Oct 8-10 ?
Oct 10-12 3 slots
Oct 12-14 4 slots
Oct 14-16 Full
Oct 17-19 Full
Oct 19-21 Open - 6 slots
Fly of the Month: Next week we will kick off our fly of the month. Trout?
summer steelhead? Black Rockfish skater? SRC? Hmmm, let me know your preference.
Maybe we will go that way......
If you want to get a preview for an anticipated
up and coming Flyfishing
School.......just click onto the link from the home page from here.
We have had many requests to bring our schools out on video....we are
chewing on it. Now, if only we had time......
"The hardest thing in life to learn is which bridge to cross and
which to burn."
-- David Russell
Happy fishing,
Dickson www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on
booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
4-20-08
"A New Day."
Over the past 22 years of guide and outfitting, I have seen a lot Flyshops,
a ton of would-be guides, come and go.
I am sure that flyfishsteelhead.com isn't what it was when my good friend
Sandy and I put it together, back in the late 1990's. All things move
in their evolution.
Mike, I & Jeremy have now decided to move Dickson Flyfishing in a
new direction.
Along with the advent of Yancy flylines, Dicksons' have developed many
flies and techniques we have applied in our guiding business, over the
years. The many stories and articles I have written in and about flyfishing
have come from chasing steelhead and other fishes, around the globe. I
will be the first to admit. I have been blessed.
We decided it is time to share more of the flies and et. al. Why? Because
it is time.
Salmonfly.net
has been gracious enough to present a few of our signature flies, from
the Dickson collection. Thanks Steve, the pleasure is all mine.
We will add to that by presenting a new fly of the Month on flyfishsteelhead.com,
which we hope to start up in May.
Here is an essay I penned called Why
share guide secrets?
I wrote this piece, several years ago. I think it pretty much explains
it all.
The Fishing:
Jeremy just barely returned from a major league trout trip around the
eastside & Montana.
I won't steal any of his thunder, but let's just say, he had an amazing
good time.
Mike of many hats:
Mike just returned from of doing our Mystery
Lakes gig in Eastern Washington. We have conducted this eastside trout fishery
for many years now. Guys were quite successful, winter/ spring conditions, not
withstanding.
Now poor Mike, has to completely switch gears (again) and
get ready for another week out on the Olympic Peninsula, chasing more steelhead.
The fishing was good when he left it last week, so there you go. BTW: If you still
have a steelhead out with your name on it, Mike says he just had a opening come
up for this Thursday. (425 330 9506). They will be floating the Sol Duc.
Me?
Just kind of hanging out. Doing a lot of the Fish & Wildlife biology consulting
stuff, but tying flies for an upcoming Alaska trip I am looking forward to. As
the self-appointed Research & Development guy, we are headed up for another
sortie on a new river. Tell you all about this skating fly show, when we return.
Right now, I am preparing flies and script for Salmonfly.net. Kinda fun. Like
I said, "It's a new day".
Anyway, Happy fishing to you all.
All steelhead, all year,
Dennis, Mike & Jeremy http://www.flyfishsteelhead.com
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information 4/13/08 "Checkmate"
So there we were, enjoying better and better OP
fishing as we past from the netting season, and just like that, Monsoon
Mary comes rolling in and knock our coastal fishing right out from under
us. Mike & I had no alternative but to retreat back to Arlington,
in hopes of better weather. Mike heads back out to the Sol Duc, while
I stay home and catch up on some Fish & Wildlife projects.
I would love to tell you about amazing
fishing on the Hoh. Sorry, it's closed. Maybe some outstanding surface Dolly fishing
on the Skagit. This is the out migration of the Pink & Chum salmon fry. Oops,
I guess it's closed too. Maybe the big and brawly Sauk river steelhead or mild
but consistent fishing of Skykomish steelhead. Hmmm, I guess that's pretty much,
checkmate. 
Skagit Dolly during the 2006 Skagit spring
season The good news is
our Lakes are waking up. Many trout lakes are open now. Now, if we can get the
snow to stop falling around the foot hills, perhaps we can get on with spring. As
the unsettled winter/spring weather passes, look for the trout lakes to be on
the rise. We are holding our collective breath for our annual Eastern Washington
Mystery Lake
School April 18 or 19 . We are hoping for another fine weekend, this year. Jeremy
is prouncing all over western Montana and Idaho as we speak. No huge trout as
we speak, but it sounds like the fine trouting is enough to make him move. He
says he has pictures and a report when he returns. So
there you have it: Mike is heading back for the finale
on the OP, Jeremy is after the last eastside trout. I am trying to get caught
up with biology reports, and tie the Alaska flies for our up-coming trip, as I
can. It is not easy to give up the last of our local
spring steelhead rivers. Such is life these days in the North Sound. "The
measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether
it's the same problem you had last year "
~John Foster Dulles Best
of fishing, Dennis & Mike Dickson, Jeremy Floyd
flyfishsteelhead.com
For information on booking
a trip see Rates and Booking Information
4/6/08
Short and sweet, Mike and Dennis are
currently out on the Olympic Peninsula. This morning Dennis and I talked on the
phone. He mentioned that their time spent on the rivers is producing good results,
and it sounded like they are having a great time. Being as nobody can do a better
"Dennis" than Dennis, I will leave the OP reporting to him when he gets
back. With summer rapidly approaching I am
spending a lot of time looking toward the horizon, planning the next big trip,
and thinking of the possibilities. Today I am gearing up for a three state blitzkrieg
that will take place over the next week and a half. The excitement of chasing
40 inch Bull Trout or big Rainbow Trout has consumed me for the foreseeable future.
Well that, or until I find success. I attempted to sate myself this last week
when I was in Eastern Washington by catching some (~12-20 inch) Rainbows at one
of my favorite year round lakes. I had a great time. I failed miserably at sating
my fixation on a really large Bull Trout, and only fueled the passion more by
being left wanting yet another day. I will attempt to keep the fires at bay by
tying some more 12 inch long, cone head, triple articulated "PNW Bonefish
Streamers" before I head out this evening. Our
Lakes
Fly Fishing School is also on the horizon. Saturday's school is filling up
quickly so you will need to get a hold of Dennis soon if you want to be able to
book one of the remaining slots. See you on
the water, Jeremy flyfishsteelhead.com
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
3/30/08 Olympic
Peninsula: Mike gets the big fish again this week.
Fishing my long time fishing Buddies Ted Huber & Scott Bean (both very excellent
steelhead flyfishers), Ted released this lovely fish in his multiple steelhead
Day. Such can be the Olympic Peninsula this time of year. Really looking forward
to April. Netting slows and by far and away the most wild native steelhead on
the prowl. An interesting April phenomena: Most flyboys
are tired of fighting the winter conditions and head for their trout waters. Perfect.
Small wonder April is our top steelhead month. Both the pink and black articulated
leeches caught fish well in the dirty Hoh. North Sound
Rivers (Close March 31) We took some real rains yesterday
between the snow showers, but it remains cool, so life in the north sound rivers
are clicking. Both the Skagit and the Sauk will fished well in their last week
week. Skagit waters above the Sauk are Caribbean clear,
so you might want to fish below, but the Sauk is going to get the bulk of the
run and a little color in the water can be a good thing for sink tipping. Flies
are flies: Natives aren't very fussy. Fish your favorite offering low and slow.
Mr. Steelhead will do the rest. The Skagit Dollies
have been really looking up the last week. Awesome fishery. Dolly skater, Mike's
Pink Fry, and Thunder Creek all got it done. Eight pounds was our top fish. So
much fun on a 5 weight and floating line. Speaking
of trout stuff. We wave good-bye to the private lakes fishery. Many good memories
but none finer than T & L out the other day. Classy ladies on a weather challenged
day. 
T's
lovely rainbow
Photo: Leigh F.
Fly: Black Leech Much
speaking of trout: Our Mystery
Lake Schools April 18 or 19 are looking good. Both days still have a couple
openings. My eastside source says that leeches and choronomids are back as the
drill. Trout lakes are a welcome diversion from chasing steelhead every day. I
know. If it's a ruff gig. Jeremy and Mike look to be handling the affairs of this
one. When I am thinking about the lakes, I seem to
reflect on early trips to BC. Here is a funny episode. Check out Mouth
to Mouth Combat. So here is the scoop. Mike
will be out swimming the OP Steelhead thru April. Jeremy chases trout. I just
play around the edges. "One of the nice things
about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imaginations."
-Steve Allen Enjoy your spring....if it
comes. Dickson guides flyfishsteelhead.com. 425
238 3537
For information on booking
a trip see Rates and Booking Information
3/23/08 "Fishing
is where you find it"
Wow, hard to say where all the best action
is. Mike is spending his time chasing large native steelhead, out on the
Olympic Peninsula. Weather has been pushing the river levels all over the
board, so he is fishing basically north to south. The good news is; he says there
is fish in all of them. For the latest update, you can contact him at www.streamsideflyshop.com
Dickson guides are always in mourning after the middle Skagit River closure
March 15. The steelheading is very consistent down there. Let's see. We close
the upper river (above Marblemount due to lack of fish, and close the lower river,
because there are too many. Yeah, that's about right. Jeremy
has been flirting around the Sauk & Skagit. The Sauk
has gone so low the past few days, we aborted our Sauk gig, and just fished the
Skagit. All the rain we have taken last week has just produced a snow pack in
the hills. Fishing is fair. Now that The Skagit has
gone into C&R. Everything is protected. Life is good. Look
out: All the north sound rivers close March 31 this year. If you are going to
chase steelhead in April, better make plans for the coast. The
Skagit continues to be the consistent fishery, right now. I would love to tell
you about the surface Dolly fishing in this salmon fry/smolt out-migration, but
that's a topic for a brighter day. April is the real gig especially following
a Pink Salmon year, but the river will be closed this season during the best fishing
period. The steelhead fishing right now is "OK". Speaking
of fishing: Our One Fly flyfishing
contest April 11, looks to be in full swing. Last I heard from Jeremy (who
is managing the event this year) there is a couple slots available in this open
event. You can contact him @ 425 760 7878, for more details. The Kindering Center
is the non-profit proceeds this year. Pretty cool. So
where is Dennis? And then was trout fishing: Our multiple
Private lakes gig is excellent fishing now. Winter
won't loose her grip so the large rainbows are still moving to big and wiggly
stuff, but the midges and mayfly will be close behind. Fish are definitely perking
up! Last week our largest trout taped at nearly nine pounds!
"If all the economists in the world were laid end to end, they wouldn’t
reach any conclusion. "
-George Bernard Shaw
Dennis
& the Bad Boys of Dicksonhood www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
425 238 3537
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
3/16/08 "There
I was, minding my own business." So it is no mystery,
the weather has basically sucked this week. Mike & Jeremy had a week all planned
for fishing out on the Coast. Not. Weather Gods stepped in and ka bashed all that.
Jeremy ended over in Idaho, and Mike headed home to fish the Skagit & Sauk. The
silver lining: The high water that came rolling in
early in the week brought in some new fish! The Sauk
has dropped back in nicely. Water temps are in the mid 40's and the visibility
is above 3', even below the Suiattle. Boys report some nasty log jams up in the
Darrington area so be careful there. Top flies are anything "big and wriggly".
Water is low with good color as we speak. The Skagit
was bouncing pretty hard early in the week, but again has come into shape. Mike
ended with two Skagit trips, back to back. The first day was skating surface flies
with a sinktip as the back up. Top water stuff was on the money. The Second day
was in the upper watershed. There wasn't the surface action we would have hoped
for, but they hung a really nice wild steelhead that did his drill. Got to love
the spring. The most common question, is also the most misunderstood. Please read
Steelhead
Flies: Fact and Fiction . Fishing high waters:
Flies, lines and presentations are not a constant. Remember to fish the soft water
in lower visibility. One of the hardest concepts for my schoolers is; I fish my
lightest sinktips and flies, when the flows are up and the visibility is down.
Why? Because that is where the steelhead are, in the gentle flows. They don't
need to hide in heavy water, in high water conditions. Private
Lakes: Fishing continues for lovely rainbows, a few to 9 pounds this week.
Cool. Leeches & dragonfly nymphs are still the top producers. Some early March
Brown Mayflies will be showing soon. Very nice.
I guess the only real
upside is when the Skagit system shuts down this year in a couple weeks, the Olympic
Peninsula and private lakes will pick up the slack.
Our One Fly Flyfishing Contest, April 11th, is shaping up nicely. We had a lot
of fun last year, this year should be as good. We even have fly clubs challenging
each other. This ought to be interesting! I will let you know how that goes.
Anyway: The boys and I are busy on the waters, steelhead were traveling through
coming off this last high water. Seems we struggle to get two nice days in a row.
Fish don't mind, they are all wet. Life is good. Maybe I will see you out there.
"The
liars punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot
believe anyone else."
— George Bernard Shaw, Anglo-Irish dramatist
and wit (1856-1950)
Best of fishing,
Dennis,
Mike & Jeremy Floyd www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
3/9/08 Gotta
Love The Spring
So I have to confess. My idea of winter this year is
warm and wonderful places. Mike & I were fortunate enough to do some amazing
tarpon fishing in the Caribbean this winter. That was cool. We just got back from
the last 10 days in Hawaii. No fishing mission here, just a relaxing time away
while the Pacific Northwest wakes up into spring. Perfect.
My many kudos:
I can't thank our guide Jeremy Floyd enough for running the business, especially
for the fishing reports while I was away. Between cell phones & internet Cafes,
(and of course a really good helper at home) we got it done. Awesome.
Anyway, I am home now. Still cold.
While I am getting caught up on my
fish & wildlife consulting, Mike and Jeremy took care of the Sauk River steelhead
school this weekend. The word is out that there is a few wild steelhead entering
the Sauk, now. Busy time, but the Dickson boys said everyone felt like it was
a great instructional day. Great. Thanks so much for all who attended. If you
have any more questions from line presentation to reading water, feel free contact
any of us. Making anglers better, is the most gratifing part of what we do. We
marvel at the rave reviews we get in our Testimonial section.
Trust me, it is our pleasure.
So what about the fishing?
Sauk
River: The river is running low at 2,300 cfs, but there is enough color to enter
the native steelhead. Dominant males enter first, so this is a great time to be
looking for "Bubba".
Guys get all hung up over trick flies
and rods that can cast to the other side of the river, but remember that time
and again, fishing the water well in front of you with any fly you have confidence
in, will get you yanked. If you are going to catch steelhead, better find out
what he cares about.
The Skagit: Zig & Zag; The Skagit took a bounce
if you can read the minds of the water release guys. Trust me, they could care
less about what fish are swimming the river. Power is money, and this time it's
electrical. The upper river used to have the early return, but these were harvested
off into memory. (Nothing to do with the power companies). Now the prominent run
is the Sauk so anything downstream from there is good fishing time.
I
am gearing up my little Skagit Skater for the Pink Salmon out-migration that gets
the fish looking up. I just love this style of fishing and it is so much fun.
When does it happen. Sadly, April is the big month, so we will miss that, but
it begins now, and should only improve as we move thru March.
I simply
would be remiss if I didn't pay homage to a great angler who inspired me so many
years ago. His name was Charlie.
The 1 Fly Flyfishing Contest: April 11 Private Lakes
Our 2nd annual
Non-profit event looks to be a great one. Jeremy is spearheading this event. Look
for more info on this as we get closer.
Speaking of private Lakes: The
magnum rainbows are waking up. Dragonfly nymphs and leeches are moving which means
the choronomids will be right behind. Fishing is excellent. Sorry, no weekend
dates available this year.
Olympic Peninsula: Both Mike and I will be
spending time out on the OP this spring. Mike heads out there next week. I will
not until April. Ah, such is life.
"They say the best way to get
back at your enemy is to live well."
A hearty thanks to all those
that make the Dickson Guides a happy bunch. It is so nice to be surrounded by
so many anglers who truly appreciate the fish and waters we share.
Happy
Fishes,
Dennis & Mike Dickson, Jeremy Floyd www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
Sunday,
March 02, 2008 What a beautiful week in the
Pacific Northwest. The opportunity to finally get out of the house and commune
with the elements was available, so I took full advantage of it. In my travels
I noticed the majority of the snow out in the scenic Sauk River Valley has melted
leaving only a few patches scattered around the shady areas. It felt great to
be outside again. After spending the majority of my adult life working out of
doors, that is where I am most comfortable and prefer spending my time.
I would like to remind all of you about our "One
Fly Only" benefit that is taking place at our private lakes on the 11th of
April. The emails are coming in fast and furious thanks to some of our local fly
clubs. If you would like to challenge another club, or fly shop, you will need
to get in contact with Dennis soon. Thank you to all that have already signed
up to take advantage of the great opportunity to help some sick kids, while taking
part in an activity we all enjoy. It looks to be great competition again this
year. I am excited to watch it unfold. The
rivers are still running low and clear. I was hoping to get some time in on the
Stilly below Deer Creek to see if I could pick up a Steelhead before the river
closed, but my plans never came to fruition. I hiked in to one of my favorite
spots only to find that, even though the river was low, for some reason it was
still blown out and visibility was only 6-8 inches. I hiked back out and drove
upriver to find the cause. As I drove over the bridge that spans Deer Creek, one
glance to the right confirmed what I suspected. Deer Creek was massive, even with
all the great work that local groups and volunteers are doing to improve the water
shed it was still puking out mud and silt making any waters below the confluence
a safe haven from the law abiding folks until June. We
are booking up for the Olympic Peninsula. If you are interested in heading over
and taking advantage then let us know. Mike runs a quality trip which I consider
second to none, on several of the rivers out there. The
Sauk River is running about as clear as it can get. With my polarized glasses
I had no problem seeing the sandy bottom in fifteen foot deep pools as I passed
them by this week. The teaching conditions during our Sauk River Schools should
be perfect if the low water continues. Showing students what is appropriate structure,
and what are the important parts that make up our local river bottoms, and the
physical components that make holding water areas "hold fish" will all
be easily viewed. That makes our job as instructors easier when we can teach the
science and reasoning behind it, while letting nature paint the mental image into
each student's brain. It will also give us the opportunity to show you firsthand
how we change up our game plan when conditions shift from classic steelhead water
conditions, to low and clear. Saturday's school is all booked up, but there are
open slots in Friday's class if improving your success on the Sauk is something
that interests you. The Skagit, while extremely
clear, is still the workhorse this year so far. It is one of the more consistent
producers right now. It is fishing well and with the regulated water supply it
will be the best bet after conditions return to wet. Mike
and Dennis should be back from Hawaii soon. That means I get the opportunity to
run down to Northern California for my vacation and renew my love affair with
its amazing waterways and immerse my senses in its natural beauty. One thousand
year old Redwood stewards watching over granite cobbled waterways never cease
to make me pause for a moment and feel insignificant in comparison. I am already
dreaming about the possibilities of what could be. Have
a great week, and be safe on the rivers! Jeremy - www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
2-24-08 Faux
Spring? With Dennis and Mike in Hawaii I get
the opportunity to write the fishing report again. I take pride in the chance
to write one of the most viewed fishing reports in the world. That is only made
possible by all of you and I want to thank you for that. We
had considered canceling our Sauk schools this year
because of the limited window for fishing. Due to demand it is back on the calendar
for March 7th or 8th. Our "One Fly"
benefit which we opened to the public for the first time this year is working
out better than we could have hoped. If you want to help some sick kids and have
the opportunity to fish our private lakes then send an email to Dennis. There
is going to be some great competition this year. Also I am running the grill for
a - no cost to you - BBQ ribs or burger lunch. This
week has been incredible weather. Plants are budding and the days have been wonderfully
warm. The last couple of weeks the weather has been quite cold and we have been
hoping for water to help bring our wild Steelhead back into their native watersheds
as early as possible. Especially because of the limited time we have to seek out
their company this year. We did receive a
little water in the rivers though and the levels are currently up a bit which
should increase the number of opportunities for everyone. I am excited about the
small increase of water, especially after being housebound for nearly three weeks.
I am definitely planning some personal quality time on the water this upcoming
week. The colder and clearer the more natural
I fish. When I head out this week I am probably going to use a dry line and a
weighted nymph to high-stick nymph the slots, and especially the deeper holding
areas because of water clarity and sun intensity. My personal feeling on that
is that I can get down faster and deeper that way with proper mends. I fish this
way when conditions push the fish to seek depth which decreases the number of
areas I target. Plus the added benefit of still feeling "the tug".
I admit that I am a "buggy" fly guy when
the river is in the current condition and that is probably a product of fishing
Northern California all through college. When fishing gets tough I revert back
to where I have found success and have unshakeable confidence. Less flash, less
bright and dark bead heads or lead wrap under the fly instead. A #6 black stonefly
with a ½ inch marabou tail and long rubber legs will more than likely be
my fly. Dark, plain, and dead sexy with all the important features of a winter
Steelhead fly. On to the fishing! Skykomish:
The River is still low. It only came up about 250cfs this week which makes it
nearly, if not identical to last week's conditions. Sauk:
The Sauk is still an adventure. The top half of a lot of the "proper water
speed" riffles are covered in sand. Consequently, I tend to fish lower in
the riffles than normal because of this. The bottom half to the tailouts where
I can actually see more than just the tips the top of rocks sticking out of the
sand is where I concentrate unless the bright sun pushes the fish to depth.
North Fork Stilly: The river level is perfect as of
today. The weekend fishermen received the water advantage this week. There
are fish in the river systems. The best chance of success is to move and cover
water thoroughly and efficiently. Probably the biggest thing, after the basics,
that I stress out on the river to our clients is efficiency. The less your fly
is in the air the more time you are spending actually fishing. It is less wear
on the body and by the end of the day you may be able to cover another run or
two which directly increases your chances of hooking up. If reducing your number
of false casts, or picking up the switch casting (single or double handed) style
we can help you with that. Spending a day on the water with us will put you way
ahead in the game. Mike and I are proficient switch casters to the point that
Dennis is taking notice and is very interested in this new generation of rods
that offer incredible overhead distance (I had never cast 130 feet before this
year overhead casting) and Spey style casts (snap T, Snap C, and double Spey)
that can push 100 feet. All accomplished with light, surgically precise rods that
throw single hand weight lines.
Jeremy
- www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
2/17/08 "What
would I know?" As I mentioned last week, Mike
& I just finished a long weekend of winter steelhead flyfishing schools on
the Skagit River. Seems like everyone who reads my dribble knows me. (You poor
guys have got to get a life!) Just kidding. Most, now know my son Mike. He has
been guiding for me full time the last for couple years. Some of you don't know
our good friend and fellow guide, Jeremy Floyd. From angling friend to fellow
guide, we are happy to have him. Poor guy has been wiped out with some weird flu
virus, lately. We pray for his speedy recovery. This
weeks fishing:
Rivers are low except the upper Skagit. A few wild steelhead
showing now and that is good. About the fishing:
Skykomish River: River has steadily dropped over the week. Even the warm weather
wasn't enough to detour the lowering waters.
The
river has been running moderate to low, with no rain in sight. The hatchery steelhead
are all but gone, and the wild steelhead are just beginning to trickle in. As
the Sky will close March 1, if you haven't fished it. Better do it now. Many of
the largest steelhead come in now, but lots of anglers out. Not my top choice.
The
Sultan River can add some color. I like leaches, marabous, and General Practitioners,
for my winter fishing. I advocate the Dark day, dark fly theory, but there are
those who do just the opposite, which brings me to the fact of: "It's not
about the fly". North Fork Stilly: Medium Low:
Most of our northwest rivers are free flowing, meaning there are no dams. (The
Skagit is a notable exception. So anyway, they are either on the way up, or on
their way down. There isn't much in between. Right now the Stilly is flirting
with summer time flows. We need a rain. Boulder Creek is still kicking some color,
but the upper river is high vis. Not much happening, and don't expect much until
we get a rain.. Look for a shot of wild fish to show in the last week before the
closure, March 1. They always do. Sauk River:
Low water. I guess you are getting the picture. I have floated it once since the
floods. As my all time favorite river in the spring, the siltation of many of
my favorite pools, is a tuff pill to swallow. It will come back. It always does.
Will it affect the returning wild steelhead this spring? Yes, and no.
Yes:
because with the reduced holding water in the lower river, the steelhead will
shoot up into the spawning areas faster. Simply no reason for them to hang around
in the lower Sauk reaches. Yes: When it comes to spawning,
steelhead are going to find fewer gravels to spawn, but then steelhead tend to
be fussy about where they lay their eggs (unlike a Pink or Chum salmon). So that
is good. No: The returning steelhead have no idea the
home they left has been decimated. Numbers of returning steelhead this year won't
be down. The recruitment going into the gravel this year, now that may be a different
story.
I see guys out trying to fish the Sauk, while on my way to fish
the Skagit. Careful your favorite pool hasn't been silted in. Look for rocks.
The Skagit River:
The Skagit is our silver lining. The wild fish are coming
in the lower river. Many of the pools are still intact, but the bloody Baker River
can take the Skagit from almost too clear, when the turbines are off, to less
than foot of visibility when it is cranking. A crap shoot at best. Bring your
sparsely tied low water flies, and some big and bulkies, because every day it
can the turn on a dime. Such is the Skagit fishing below the Baker River.
Upper Skagit:
The Sauk confluence downstream to the Baker: About a draw. Some
of the pools have actually improved some, are worse, and others remain about the
same. Good river float for a combination of wild steelhead heading for the Sauk
and beyond. Not bad either, to intercept a big Dolly along the way.
Upper upper Skagit:
Marblemount to Rockport: Is lovely classic waters. Water
is sometimes too clear, and the upper tribs. do not carry the wild steelhead of
yesteryear, but the pressure is down. The big Dollies are up there, but I can't
talk about that. Skating surface flies is a personal favorite.
Private
Lakes: I guess the one upside to a reduced Skagit C&R season is a lot more
anglers are booking for our 90 acre facility. Olympic
Peninsula: Mike looks to be spending another goodly time back on the OP again
this spring. Come watch his steelhead video - Olympic peninsula winter steelhead
flyfishing -
winter steelheading with Mike Dickson of Dickson flyfishing
...
Watch
video - 3 min 37 sec -
Old venues die hard:
Where closing rivers appear to be the best steelhead management, let me share
a couple thoughts. Kill and Close is not new, in fact, it hasn't worked for years.
Of
course your local Game Warden is going to vote for closing the waters, you just
cut his work load in half. Ask him this: Who kills the fish? A)
The river open to fishing: The poor shmuck who doesn't even know what river he
is on or; B) The river closed: Joe local poacher who
knows the few eyes on the river, the better for him. Solution:
What we should be doing: 1) Open river sections to
restrictive single barbless, C&R, and encourage all users to carry cell phones
to call in fishery violators. Monitor spawning ground surveys to demonstration
fishery impact. If we don't try something new, we will never get a better result.
But then, I have only been a fisheries biologist for
the past 30 years, what would I know.
That's my
story and I am sticking to it,
Dennis, Mike & Jeremy www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
2/10/08
"Winter"
I
snuggle into my goose down jacket a little deeper. The cold rain in the Pacific
Northwest can't quite do it, so it just sleets on us all day. The guys on this
gig, are playing their best, "happy to be there." Mike is doing all
the talking because my body hasn't quite acclimated, from 80 degree days, but
what now feels like, 40 below. This is what happens when you spend some time in
the tropics. Eventually, you have to come home. Another
Skagit School: Kudos to the boys this weekend for being such good sports about
it. Kudos for Mike for putting it on. I wasn't suppose to be there. I came home
from the tropics with a nasty cold, only Jeremy is worse. When that guy is too
sick to fish, he is really sick. We found the Skagit
a lovely green. For all the rain in the lowlands, it was all snow up above. Dollies
came to play but the steelhead were safe. Such is school at times. Old
wounds die hard: Mike was in his 14' expedition raft, I ran one of our Pac 1300's.
That left a single pontoon raft. We have conducted our schools this way for the
past five years. Any questions? Weird: The upper Skagit
is running high but clear. Big time Dolly show. Rumors of a few natives starting
to show in the lower river. Good time to hit the Birdsview to Lyman area. I like
marabou's, Bunny Leeches, and GP's in # 2 to 1/0 for this gig. I tend towards
dark day/dark fly & bright day/bright fly, but mostly its finding the steelhead
traveling lanes and bringing in the fly low and slow. Yes, I believe many anglers
over mend. Anglers need to know when to mend and how much. Sauk
Time: Yup, the early fish always go up the Sauk. Great time to hook a really big
fish. Water is awesome right now. Not a lot of fish yet, but this is when the
big dominant males come in. No secret. Read the water, present the fly. That thought
that steelhead always take the fly hard, is an urban legend. Check out: Coldwater
takes. Stilly North Fork has some fish showing.
The dominant winter native steelhead won't be there until long after the season
has closed. If you want to see the other side of the Stilly, leave your rod at
home, and float from Boulder Creek area down to Whitman in May. Spawning steelhead
viewing is a great float trip. It isn't just the Deer Creek native that swims
this river. Just thought you should know. Skykomish
will sneak in a few early fish, now. Focus on the Sultan to Monroe pools. You
won't be alone. Olympic Peninsula: Mike is booking
like crazy right now for the OP. His guide trips will begin in late February and
on into April. No news yet on the Skagit system Catch
& Release season. Mike will be gone, which will leave Jeremy to do most of
the local steelhead guiding should they open it. Me? I take my quite little following
and skate a surface fly, but I wouldn't worry too much about that. I
am so glad we are reexamining C&R as a management tool. You have no idea the
implications for flyfishing all our anadromous species around the state. May brighter
minds prevail. Sauk School cancelled: As much I love
the Sauk, I think we will abort this year. Get back to me, and we will hook you
up on something else. Many kudos for our new guide
Jeremy for taking over the fishing report, as well as holding down the fort while
Mike and I were out of the country. Get better, Man. Our
loss is great when we lose our fish. Our loss is greater when we can't wade the
rivers we love. Best of fishing, Dickson
www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
2-3-2008
With Dennis and Mike
out of the country playing with some exotic species in the warmer parts of the
world, the responsibility of writing the fishing report falls onto my shoulders.
Now, I want you all to know that I thought of those two guys a couple of times
this week. Once when I chained up my fronts because my lightweight Toyota hesitated
to go up a couple of the steeper hills with the undercarriage dragging though
the top 3-6 inches of snow. Another moment of reflection was when I was filling
the bed of my truck with snow for traction, with a steel #5 Folgers can...
This last week has seen some crazy cold weather which has turned our Puget
Sound winter fisheries into a scenic snowy wonderland. A smile crossed my face
on the river, when I was out yesterday, as several roads still only had Dickson
guide rig tracks in the fifteen inches of fading snow from the past week. I won't
sugar coat it. The fishing this last week has been tough. Not only has it been
cold, but it has been sunny and bright further stacking the odds against us.
The Sauk River has been running extremely low. It is currently running at
less than half of the historical average. There are fish in the river and some
of the Sauk's pristine natives have been carefully released after blessing us
with the experience only they provide. These fish are amazing world class specimens.
There are loads of Char in the river and there is no way around catching them
when you are winter Steelhead fishing. Treat them with respect and carefully return
them to the water. The Sauk also has a good amount of sand working it's way downstream.
There are many unstable sand bars so be careful. I have sunk well past my knees
several times in the last week and a half. Please be careful out there and take
this into consideration when wading.
The Skagit, other than being cold,
has been at levels perfect for fishing. With Mike and Dennis out of town my schedule
didn't allow me the opportunity to fish the Skagit. If I was going to try to stack
the odds in my favor as much as possible, I would be spending my time from below
the Cascade to the mouth of the Sauk.
The North Fork of the Stilly is
a wading paradise right now. The low water levels allow for great upper river
access if you are willing to do some walking. The river is easily forded at most
slow and wide spots. While not red hot like in December, the N Fork is still consistently
producing fish.
The OP blew out with biblical proportions of water. I
don't have a report for that due to weather conditions but I am really excited
to go as soon as things come back into shape. I know that fishing had been pretty
good before the rivers blew and it should only get better as this month progresses.
See you out on the river!
Jeremy
www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
I/27/08
"Looks like winter to me" I
am not going to lie to you. Rivers are at dead low right now. Not a lot of fish
moving in, but the native steelhead should be on the heels of the next warm front
we get. Outside of a surface rising Grande Ronde steelhead, a big brawly wild
steelhead is my most favorite freshwater experience. The
rivers are back to fishing well, that is the good news. The water is friggin cold,
and that is the bad. Skagit: Either fish
high in the watershed up around Marblemount near the mouth of the Cascade River
(which is closed) or the lower river surrounding Grandy Creek. This area will
only get better as the spring progresses. Remind me again why this Skagit section
is not included the Catch & Release? Don't
suppose the powers-to be will make a final decision on the C&R, until we get
closer to March. I will let you know, when I know. We lose twice when we drive
a fish population down to the point where we can't even be out on a favorite river.
Sad and preventable. Read Kill
& Close. To that end; The Olympic
Peninsula looks to be on schedule for another decent season. Word is, a few wild
steelhead are showing all along the Coast. Cool. Mike is our OP guru. Stilly
North Fork: Summer....er winter low. Surprising numbers of hatchery steelhead
sneaking through. Hazel area is a good bet. Skykomish:
Anything that takes in the Reiter Ponds area is the safest bet. Lower Sky around
Monroe will fish if we get a high water, but good luck on that. Weather is calling
for more cold. Sauk: Low & clear.
Good time to scout for the up coming C&R season that may never happen. Huh? Dickson
Watch: Mike & I will head off to warmer
climes to chase exotic fishes this next week. 80 degree waters coupled with 80
days. Now this is my way of spending winter. While we are out for the week, Jeremy
will be handling the local guiding scene. Perfect. Speaking
of clients: Jeremy is not one to hold back on an opinion, and mentioned recently
that for a fishing website ranked in the world level, flyfishsteelhead.com photo
gallery was sadly lacking. I had to concede. This was one of those areas that
for all the fishing and travels, it just didn't get up on my radar. So I did what
any boss would do, I delegated. So Kudos
for Mike for completely revamping this huge page. Sandy for placing it onsite
and making it all work, and Jeremy for watching it through. Oh, and a very special
thanks to the many many anglers who have fished with us over the years. If pictures
are memories, we have a life time of angling experiences. If you haven't seen
the Photo Gallery, stop by a minute. Heck, if you fished
with Dickson's in the last few years, you may be in it! "Where
did we ever get the crazy idea that in order to make children do
better, first
we have to make them feel worse? Think of the last time
you felt humiliated
or treated unfairly. Did you feel like cooperating
or doing better?"
-Jane Nelson Sage advice for us all, Dicksons'
and Jeremy Floyd www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
1/20/08
"Just chillin' "
The weather in the Pacific Northwest
has been more than a little up and down.
Right now as I write our weekly
fishing report, the weather can't decide to rain or snow, it is doing a little
of both. I can bet your wading shoes it is dumping by the time you get to Oso.
Rivers around here are low and cold as we speak. Had to begin a Fish &
Wildlife study up in Darrington, which took Mike and I over the Sauk. Upper river
looks low but a lovely five feet of visibility. Mike and J. have been fishing
both the Sauk and Skagit but the Dollies are making a better showing than the
steelhead. The wild steelhead should be rounding Whidbey Island any time now. Boys
have been pulling water off the Skagit every day. Lower river is going to be your
best shot at an early wild fish. I like the Birdsview to Hamilton run. By
the number of rigs parked at Hazel, the North Fork Stilly has taken another pulse
of steelhead. Hearing of more wild fish showing. Same for the OP rivers. Good
to see. Skykomish is as cold as it is
low. Watch for those February wilds to push their way in, if this snow turns to
rain. I have mentioned that this is that
"in-between time" in fishing. The hatchery steelhead run is winding
down, and the wild component is about to start. Feb. 1st is the unofficial date. Will
the Skagit system C&R spring fishery open this year? Good question. State
will probably announce in the next couple weeks. Whatever. According
to Mikes bookings, a lot of our clients are heading to the Olympic Peninsula with
him, anyway. Fighting winter blues: Our
private
lakes fishery is doing well, even if it is only January. Leeches and dragonfly
nymphs are working on this 90 acre, multiple lake complex. (Space limited) We
are toying with going back to an O.P. school. Keep you posted. Speaking
of spring steelhead flyfishing, I often reflect about a great angler. Please read,
Charlie
"Women and cats will do as they
please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea."
~Robert A. Heinlein Best of Fishing, Dickson
www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
1/13/08 "And
there you have it" Winter hatchery
steelhead continue to trickle in. Most of the North sound rivers are fishable,
as we speak. Native steelhead are staging
now. Coastal streams are seeing them, too. Try the Hoh or the Queets. The Skagit
down to the Baker River, has steelhead, with Dollies passing thru. Water is low
and clear above the Sauk, but some color below, so fish accordingly. Skykomish
is fishing well, visibility is good to Monroe. I even hear of a few early natives
just starting to show. This is that transition time where the hatchery run is
winding down and the native steelhead are just poking in. Stilly:
Too much snow on the ground. Saturated watershed is just too high but it is beginning
to flush. Watch for another pulse of fish as the water recedes. Skagit
schools are full.....again. If you weren't able to get in, might inquire about
one of our custom
schools. Same money, same school, just a smaller group. One
of the biggest questions we are constantly asked. "If you have been offering
these steelhead schools for over 10 years, why are they in such demand?"
Good question. Maybe its because they produce a better angler. Second
biggest question: "Can you teach double-handed?" Mike does. Guides
Pick: If I just wanted to swim something,
I would spend a day at our private lakes or swimming streamers on the upper Skagit. If
I was serious about a steelhead, I would be booking a day with Mike in March on
the Olympic Peninsula. A good all time
read is Choosing
a Guide I notice nobody accuses of
Dickson guides of not getting their anglers into fish. All I can say to that is,
"We try." Best of fishing, Dennis
& Mike Dickson, Jeremy Floyd www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
1/06/08 "And
so it begins again" Another year
has come and gone. They only seem to go faster as I grow older. I
let my younger guides do more of the fishing now. I think I appreciate my time
spent out on the water more about the friendships we have created over the many
years. Bill had a birthday the other day. He is now 82. It didn't seem so long
ago, he and I were fishing throughout the land. Bill has fished with me now for
nearly twenty years. Every Wednesday for some twenty years. For that I am grateful. Anyway,
you didn't come here to muse over past times or even relationships. You came about
the fishing. Fishing overview:
Winter
grip has locked the snows and rivers into moderate to extremely low conditions
in the higher drainages. Water is cold, roads are icy (as are the river rocks)!
but rivers are fun to play when cabin fever hits. Lower watersheds like the North
Fork of the Stilly is a different story. This is what we have found. Skagit:
Daily dam fluctuations are the drill. Right now those swings are right on the
money. Skagit in the Sauk & Cascade Rivers confluences have been surprisingly
good for the winter hatchery steelhead. If we can keep taking a pulse of water
that pulls the steelhead through the lower river, that should continue. Sauk
River: Still too early. Valentines is the unofficial start North
Fork Stilly: Little lower drainage in elevation. River jumped out of shape, but
heading back, as we speak. Should be another shot of fish as the waters come back
into play. Sky: Waters are low and cold,
here. Were fresh steelhead earlier but fishing has slowed. Look for another pulse
if we get some warmer water temperatures. Winter
Steelhead Flyfishing:
Last week I mentioned how important it was to be fishing
the right lines in the right water. That if you can't present your fly where the
steelhead are, you aren't going to catch them. There is no doubt the greatest
advent in the last few years has been anglers fishing the double handed rod. That's
cool. Seriously, I really don't care which rod you use. In fact. we use the double
spey in casting the Yancy system, so there you go. I will tell you; the number
one mistake I see most winter flyfishers make, is wading too deep, casting too
far. Even the guys that know better can't seem to help themselves. There is something
about getting the fly "way out there," so he spends all his time fishing
the heavy flows. Problem? He never gets his fly down near the fish. "Drive
for show, but putt for dough." My
experience: Anglers care a lot more about which fly is used than steelhead do.
Steelhead are not feeding, they just react. Skagit
Winter Steelhead Schools: Feb 8 or 9
Our winter schools are very popular
and this year is no different. Why? Because you can avert years of frustration
in a single day on the water. Space limited.
Schools will include: Lecture notes on reading waters & presenting flies.
Popular flyline comparisons. You decide which line is best for you. Cop cars and
many other of our trick winter flies.
Mike
Dickson is a wonderful spey casting instructor. He will also teach you how to
fish it, not just cast it.
No worries
If you don't get in the Skagit School, we will also offer our annual winter Sauk
Steelhead School later that month. Check our Dickson
Flyfishing School Calendar for all the specifics.
Hearing
rumblings of a wild steelhead or two heading into the Olympic Peninsula. Mike
does a lot of trips over there each spring. "Even
the blind squirrel finds the nuts once in a while" Say,
we have added a completely new wrinkle to our Testimonial
Section. Everyone gets tired of guide talk. Contact me. Tell me where and
what you want to fish, I will send you ten names and email addresses of anglers
who have recently fished with us on those very waters, you can get the straight
scoop from them. How fair is that? An
elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life...
He said to them, "A fight is
going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf
is evil---he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity,
guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and
ego. The other is good -- he
is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. This
same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too." They
thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which
wolf will win?" The old
Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
-Author Unknown
Happy holidays,
stay warm.
Dennis, Mike & Jeremy F. www.flyfishsteelhead.com.
For
information on booking a trip see Rates and Booking Information
Archived
Fishing Reports - lots of good infomation
Current
Report
January 2007 - December 2007
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