Methow Valley Fish Report

After a week of high muddy water, the Methow River is back in shape and fishing great.  The hopper/dropper has been the hot ticket.  Use orange and red hopper patterns (size 8 and 6) with a lightning bug (size 14 – 10) 14 – 16 inches below the dry.  Try skating the dry on the end of the drift for explosive strikes.  Due to the habitat restoration construction below the smoke jumper base, the best fishing has been between Winthrop and the smoke jumper base.  Water temperature has been a chilly 56deg and the fish seem to like it that way.  Please do not target the salmon and do not walk through the reeds.  Note that the Chewuch and Twisp river are closed.  The lower section of the Methow will close from Gold Creek to the mouth on Sept 15th.  I have also added a screen shot of the water flows for more detailed information (see below).

The lake fishing has still been consistent.  The fish are still eating Damsel fly patters and small green wooly buggers.  Go down deep, 15′ or so, you can find some in the thermocline with Damsel nymphs.  Use a sink tip and slowly retrieve the bug back with little action.  Once you see fish rising to eat the adult damsels (usually in the afternoon), switch to a floating line and present the adult pattern a few feet from the rise.  You should see the fish turn and hammer your fly.

River Gear:  4-5 wt dry fly hopper/dropper set up, a deep stone fly nymphing rig with a strike indicator and a 6-7 wt sinking line with a big bugger/nymph set up.  Lake Gear: 3-4 wt dry fly rig (damsel or callibaetis) and a 5-6 wt sink tip with a damsel nymph.

If you have any questions about my report, reply to this post down below.  I will answer your questions as soon as possible.  Tight Lines – Greg

Chewuch River – CLOSED – Open May 25th – Aug 15th.

Methow River – OPEN May 25th.  Great hopper/dropper fishing.  576 cfs at Winthrop

Twisp River – CLOSED – May 25th – Aug 15th.

Alta Lake – OPEN Apr. 27 – Sept. 30.  Statewide size/daily limit on all game fish.  Surface – 187 acres.

Big Twin Lake – OPEN Apr. 27 – Oct. 31.  Good cutthroat and rainbow fishing.  Catch-and-release recommended.  Daily trout limit 1, no min size.  Other game fish statewide size/daily limit.  Internal combustion motors prohibited.  Good boat launch.  Surface – 77 acres.

Black Pine Lake – OPEN.  Good cutthroat fishing.

Buck Lake – OPEN.

Campbell Lake – OPEN All game fish.  Apr. 1st – Aug. 31 Catch-and-release.  Selective gear rules.  Internal combustion motors prohibited.  Sept. 1 – Mar. 31 statewide size/daily limit.  Steep boat launch, ok for small craft.  Surface – 11 acres.

Cougar Lake – OPEN All game fish.  Apr. 1st – Aug. 31 Catch-and-release.  Selective gear rules.  Internal combustion motors prohibited.  Sept. 1 – Mar. 31 statewide size/daily limit.  Tight boat launch, not suited for larger craft.  Surface – 9 acres.

Davis Lake – OPEN All game fish.  Apr. 1st – Aug. 31 Catch-and-release.  Selective gear rules.  Internal combustion motors prohibited.  Sept. 1 – Mar. 31 statewide size/daily limit.  Good boat launch.  Surface – 39 acres.

Leader Lake – OPEN.  Mixed bag of bass, trout and bluegill.  Surface – 159 acres.

Little Twin – OPEN Apr. 27 – Oct. 31.  Catch-and-release recommended.  Daily trout limit 1, no min size.  Other game fish statewide size/daily limit.  Internal combustion motors prohibited.  Good boat launch.  Surface – 24 acres.

Patterson Lake – OPEN.  Statewide size/daily limit on trout.  Mixed bag of bass, trout and perch.  Surface – 143 acres.

Pearrygin Lake – OPEN Apr. 27 – Sept. 30.  Heavily stocked with nice sized fish.  All game fish statewide size/daily limit.  Good boat launch.  Surface – 192 acres.

To find out how to get to any of the mentioned rivers and lakes, use our fish map to point you in the right direction.  The map is free online at www.flyfishersproshop.com or pick up a printed copy at the Flyfishers Pro Shop (located in the lobby of the Mt. Gardner Inn) or at The Carlton General Store.  Sign up for this blog and receive the fish report every week click here.

Stop by the fly shop for more information and any equipment needs.

Tight Lines,
Greg Knab
Flyfishers Pro Shop 509-996-2832
www.flyfishersproshop.com

Before you go out fishing check the regulations and have a license and catch card. Call Flyfishers Pro Shop at 509-996-2832 for more information on current conditions.