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Skykomish River
Trips on the Sky will be all roughly 8 hours long, give or take a few hours, leaning to give rather than take. I love to fish this river and we will put in all the time that we need to. My main goal is to give you the knowledge and skills necessary needed to catch a steelhead using a fly. Unlike many other fly fishing guides I stick to the traditional methods of the swung fly presentation. I follow the philosophy "If I can't swing it, I don't fish it." There is nothing better than the take of a swung fly, the explosion of chrome as it rips the line off the reel, rocketing out of the water to give you the experience that we are all looking for in Steelhead fishing. To quote many great fly fisherman over the years that I have come to know "Steelhead fishing with the fly is not about hooking lots of fish and filling your freezer, its all about the Take and the Show." Its true everything else is just icing on the cake.
The best fishing on this river is from December to February for Winter-Run Steelhead. With the hatchery fish showing up best in mid-December and the treasured Native Winter-Run Starting to Show in late January getting better all through February until the river closes. To see the types of fish that we target during this time frame take a peak at my Skykomish River photo archive.
Summer-Run fishing opens June 1st every year. What has been a bonus for us Steelhead junkies is that many anglers at this time are after Spring and Summer Chinook leaving the good Steelhead water virtually untouched. The majority of the run shows up in the first couple of weeks in June and then we get a steady trickle of fish coming up the river all the way through October. Guided trips will be available from June 7th until Mid to late August depending on water conditions.
Transportation on the river is afforded to you by my trusty raft, and depending on where the fish are holding in the river and amount of daylight available to us, all trips will start at one of the three boat launches from the 2 bit hole up to Big Eddy park. Lunch and Refreshments will be available at no extra cost. Your Day on the river will include casting tips, along with teaching you the ability to read water for these fish along with presentation techniques that will help you catch more fish in the future.
For more information on a trip down the Skykomish or for Rates please email info@northweststeelheading.com
What to Bring: The time of the season that we are on the river will determine most of the time what to bring. I will provide Flies, Rods, Lines, Lunch, Water, and Soda. You are more than welcome to bring any of those as well if you have your own equipment that you would like to use.
Winter-Runs:
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Fly Rod (optional): Two Handed or Single 8 wt or greater
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Line (optional): Multi-Tip
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License: Required, 3day or year long also needed is a Steelhead Tag
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Note on Temperature: We are fishing in the North West during the Winter temperatures range from 28 degrees to 53 degrees on average, staying warm will truly enhance your fishing experience.
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Rain Jacket: Required. Wading style jacket preferred but any thing that can handle lots of water will work
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Gloves: Fingerless and preferably wool or poly
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Bean Cover: Warm hats will keep your melon warm.
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Waders: Gortex or Neoprene both work
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Boots: Felt bottomed wading boots, can also be corker style. No Lugs. Were wading.
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Sunglasses (optional): Polarized Preferred
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Sweaters, Long Johns, Fleece pants, and at least 2 pairs of warm socks. NO cotton as it will end up getting wet and ruin your day of fishing.
If you are in need of any of this stuff please visit Pacific Fly Fishers Mike or Ben know exactly what you need to stay warm and comfortable for your day on the river. I work closely with these two and if you let them know that it is for a trip with me you can receive a discount on certain items. Also for your convenience, if you cannot make it to the store before the trip to pick up equipment ordered I will be able to pick it up and have it for you on the day of fishing.
Summer-Runs:
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Fly Rod (optional): Two Handed or Single 8wt to 6wt
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Line (optional): Multi-Tip
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License: Required, 3day or year long also needed is a Steelhead Tag
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Rain Jacket. Required. Although its summer its still Washington
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Boots: Felt Bottom, Corker style preferred. No Lugs.
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Waders: Gortex preferred but neoprene is ok in early June.
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Sunglasses: Polarized Preferred, not required but highly Advised
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Warm Clothes: Bring what you need to stay warm poly pants and a sweater, you can always take off but its difficult to put on what you don't have with you.
If you are in need of any of this stuff please visit Pacific Fly Fishers Mike or Ben know exactly what you need to stay warm and comfortable for your day on the river. I work closely with these two and if you let them know that it is for a trip with me you can receive a discount on certain items. Also for your convenience, if you cannot make it to the store before the trip to pick up equipment ordered I will be able to pick it up and have it for you on the day of fishing.
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