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Author Archives: Greg Knab
Methow and Chewuch rivers to close for steelhead and whitefish fishing
WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov
March 15, 2013
Methow and Chewuch rivers to close
for steelhead and whitefish fishing
Actions: Close the Methow and Chewuch Rivers one hour after sunset on March 17, 2013 to fishing for steelhead and whitefish.
Species affected: Steelhead and whitefish.
Locations and effective dates: One hour after sunset on March 17, 2013.
- Methow River: From the mouth (Hwy 97 Bridge in Pateros) to the falls above Brush Creek.
- Chewuch River: From the mouth (Winthrop) to Pasayten wilderness boundary.
Reason for action: Recent analysis of the current whitefish and steelhead fisheries within the Methow and Chewuch river systems indicates that the maximum take limits on natural origin steelhead have been met. In addition, take limits for the Chewuch and upper Methow River whitefish fisheries have been reached as well, necessitating a closure on whitefish as well as steelhead angling.
Areas that will continue to be OPEN for steelhead angling until one hour after sunset on March 31, 2013 will include:
- Mainstem Columbia River: From Rock Island Dam to boundary markers below Wells Dam and from Hwy 173 Bridge at Brewster to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam.
- Wenatchee River: From the mouth to 400 feet below Tumwater Dam, including the Icicle River from the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.
- Okanogan River: From the mouth to the Highway 97 Bridge in Oroville, except closed one hour after sunset on March 17th from the first powerline crossing downstream of the Hwy 155 Bridge in Omak (Coulee Dam Credit Union Building) to the mouth of Omak Creek, and from the Tonasket Lagoons Park boat launch to the Tonasket Bridge (4th Street).
- Similkameen River: From the mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam
GENERAL RULES for all locations open to steelhead fishing:
- Mandatory retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead, daily limit two (2) hatchery steelhead, 20 inch minimum size. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a clipped adipose fin with a healed scar in its location. Adhering to the mandatory retention of adipose clipped steelhead is vital in allowing the fishery to continue and to provide the maximum benefit to natural origin fish.
- Adipose present steelhead must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
- Night closure and selective gear rules are in effect, except bait is allowed in mainstem Columbia River.
- Whitefish anglers must follow selective gear rules in areas open to steelhead fishing, no bait is allowed. Daily whitefish limit is fifteen (15) fish.
Other information: Anglers are required to possess a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement as part of their valid fishing license.
Information contacts: Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager (Ephrata), (509) 754-4624; Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist (Methow, Okanogan), (509) 997-0316; Travis Maitland, District 7 Fish Biologist (Wenatchee, Entiat), (509) 665-3337.
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
Methow Valley Fish Report
Methow Valley Fish Report
Slow morning of fishing. I got up before dawn and fished the Winthrop Bridge hole and Corral hole. Water temp was 40.3 deg. Slightly cooler than usual. Water level was up (305 cfs in Winthrop) and a small weather front came in. That combo was probably why the fish were lock jawed. I did get a nice report around noon from local guide Brian Whitney. He lost one of the biggest Steelhead of his life down by Stokes Road. With the coming rain and warm weather, we should have a great final week. I added a pic from last Monday when I got a chance to fish with Leaf Seaburg. Nice fish Leaf! We also have great rates at the Inn if you need a room. We are right across the street from the river and many guest hit the Corral hole before breakfast. If you are coming over to fish the Methow, I can mail you the hot flies so you can fish your way up the river with confidence. Give me a call and set you up. 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 for fishing as of Aug 15th
Methow River – OPEN for Steelhead fishing from the mouth to the confluence of the Methow and Chewuch Rivers (see the Fish Map for more details). We expect it to stay open until around the 15th of March. Flies to use: double bead peacock stone fly size 8, hevi-bead glow-egg pattern size 6, frenchies size 10, black and white bead head wooly bugger size 8, egg sucking stone fly and egg sucking leeches sizes 8 or 10.
Twisp River – CLOSED for fishing as of Aug 15th
Alta Lake – CLOSED for fishing as of Oct 1st.
Big Twin Lake – CLOSED for fishing as of Nov 1st.
Black Pine Lake – Frozen over.
Buck Lake – Frozen over.
Campbell Lake – Frozen over. September 1 – March 31 statewide size/daily limit on trout.
Cougar Lake – Frozen over. September 1 – March 31 statewide size/daily limit on trout.
Davis Lake – Frozen over. September 1 – March 31 statewide size/daily limit on trout.
Leader Lake – OPEN for ice fishing. Mixed bag of bass, trout and bluegill.
Little Twin – CLOSED for fishing as of Nov 1st.
Patterson Lake – OPEN for ice fishing. Statewide size/daily limit on trout. Mixed bag of bass, trout and perch.
Pearrygin Lake – CLOSED for fishing as of Oct. 1st
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.
Methow Valley Fish Report
Methow Valley Fish Report
Steelhead fishing has been a blast on the Methow. Lots of fish between Winthrop and Twisp. At 5:30 am I arrived in the dark at the Corral hole. Water temp was 41.6 deg. Using the Hevi-Bead egg pattern, Sky Glow Mish Roe Red, I hooked one right away and lost it. As the sun came up the bite got hot. I switch to a Stonefly and a Chironomid. The Chironomid won. Bill Lockwood of Lockwood Vizslas arrived and 3 cast in had a hog on using a Chironomid. The bite stayed strong for a few hours. Total for 3 guys: 9 hook-ups and 5 to the hand. Not a bad morning. If you are coming over to fish the Methow, I can mail you the hot flies so you can fish your way up the river with confidence. Give me a call and set you up. 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 for fishing as of Aug 15th
Methow River – OPEN for Steelhead fishing from the mouth to the confluence of the Methow and Chewuch Rivers (see the Fish Map for more details). We expect it to stay open until around the 15th of March. Flies to use: double bead peacock stone fly size 8, Hevi-Bead glow-egg pattern size 6, frenchies size 10, black and white bead head wooly bugger size 8, egg sucking stone fly and egg sucking leeches sizes 8 or 10.
Twisp River – CLOSED for fishing as of Aug 15th
Alta Lake – CLOSED for fishing as of Oct 1st.
Big Twin Lake – CLOSED for fishing as of Nov 1st.
Black Pine Lake – Frozen over.
Buck Lake – Frozen over.
Campbell Lake – Frozen over. September 1 – March 31 statewide size/daily limit on trout.
Cougar Lake – Frozen over. September 1 – March 31 statewide size/daily limit on trout.
Davis Lake – Frozen over. September 1 – March 31 statewide size/daily limit on trout.
Leader Lake – OPEN for ice fishing. Mixed bag of bass, trout and bluegill.
Little Twin – CLOSED for fishing as of Nov 1st.
Patterson Lake – OPEN for ice fishing. Statewide size/daily limit on trout. Mixed bag of bass, trout and perch.
Pearrygin Lake – CLOSED for fishing as of Oct. 1st
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.
