Last week I said winter had released its icy grip, well for the most part that’s true. It’s still snowing but the temps are rising in the water and the air which is leading to changes, changes in flow as much as changes in bug life and fish. Fish are on the move and so is the water, so the name of the game is watch the graph and intercept the fish.

The Methow fishes best for trout or steel, winter or summer at 500-700cfs (at Pateros) now thanks to global warming the Methow is acting more like a coastal stream in the winter, I was born and raised here since 1976 and flows have never been as they have in the last ten years so get used to it. I will try not to diverge from fish report to politics but if you don’t think global warming is happening this is not the site for you.

Jeff (the General) Lyman

Small winter stones, golden stones, chironomids and midges are some of the bugs hearty enough to make their living in the cold and clean water of the Methow in winter, but if temps budge above mid-thirties even the slightest you see bug and fish spring to life. Fishing on the Methow can be cold and quite but you can bet it will always be the best way to spend a late winter day.

Gretchen Nelson with Lahontan (and its latest meal)

If however you are looking for something different or just to check one of the extant species of cutthroat off your bucket list then I recommend a lake of prehistoric proportions not far from the Methow, Omak Lake which holds the state record for Lahontan Cutthroat. Fishing Omak is another way we pass the winters here in the Methow, Okanagon Valleys and beyond. Omak Lake is not only beautiful but also holds the rare Lahontan Cutthroat trout, check Colville regs call or email us for more details.