This week winter finally started to release the Methow from its cold dark grip. Evidence of which could be not only felt but seen and heard as well by the racket of the Stellar’s Jay and many other birds sent aloft by warming air and longer days. As with many other animals the activity level of fish in the system has been on the up-tick.

Rick with a nice wild buck

As with most winters fish right now are keying in on smaller food items such as the midges, chironomids and small stones. With warmer temps (30’s-40) and a bit of sun on the water winter time hatches of the following bugs are always near to come. One would think these small insects would not be worth the time of such a large fish as steelhead, on the contrary however steelhead find it easy to lie in the drift and consume enough of these insects to sate there limited wintertime caloric needs.

Keepers!

With water temps still in the mid to upper 30’s you can expect to find fish mostly in the lower two thirds of suitable runs, you will not find fish in any water with waves or fast flow right now so do not waste time and energy until you find water at least 5ft deep with nice seams, structure and foam-line. When you find suitable water take your time in fishing it and where you pick up one fish, look to find more there. Sometimes resting the water, taking a break and trying again about 20 minutes later you can find repeated success.

Chroni doing it again

As water warms fish will be had on the swing with small traditional patterns such as the Freight-Trane and the Skunk, as for now though nymphing is most successful as it caters to the lack of energy to chase the swung bug as well the amount of midge and chrironomid in the drift. Look to find fish spread pretty well between Carlton and the mouth, just take time to find slower walking speed runs as described above.

Jerry with a slab buck

If you have any questions or would like to inquire about openings through March just drop us a line on the Guiding page or call anytime (509) 429-7298. Thanks for following the report, fish safe, have fun best of luck! Leaf

One of my favorite spots

Methow Chrome

I do so love winter on the Methow, peace, quite and great fishing. Sometimes flows can push up or temps can drop down, but when you are there for that right in the middle day you can see some really great winter steelhead fishing with scenery that’s hard to beat. Don’t get me wrong there are many days, even weeks in a row where our sky’s are low cloud-deck thanks to temperature inversions in the atmosphere. What your really looking for are those days that are 26deg and above with flows no higher than 950cfs down to about 300cfs.

Slab

Gone

As of late stoneflies are making a comeback on the bug scoreboard with red double head chironomids a close second. Middle and lower parts of most runs are the most productive fishing. Many of this year’s fish are very nice sized two-salt+ fish as well most are still very bright and very strong. Water downstream of the Twisp River has been higher as well not perfectly clear so tippet sizes 2-3x are fine, no need to skimp on size which will help bring fish to hand with minimum stress.

Overall flows have been higher and warmer than average which has a way of bringing more fish up from the Columbia sooner and spreading them through-out the system in a way that can make for better over-all fishing. For me fishing has been good from the mouth to the mid-way point between Twisp and Winthrop, especially Carlton down.

Bug House Mnt.

If you have any questions or would like to book a trip just drop a line on our Guiding page or give a call (509) 429-7298. Steelhead will be open through March on the Methow with many days still to come schedule your trip now. Enjoy the winter, stay warm and Fish On!