Copyright 2011 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Skagit River Washington
The Skagit River is one of Washington's larger
steelhead and salmon streams. It begins in Canada and
fllows from Ross Lake which is dammed by Ross and
Diablo Dams. It has a large variety of different species of
fish including Summer and Winter steelhead runs, all five
species of Pacific salmon, sea-run cutthroats and dolly
varden char.
Fly fishing the Skagit River is a little different from many
northwestern streams in that its Winter steelhead run
occurs later than most. Hatchery raised steelhead begin
entering the river in December but the large, wild
steelhead that the Skagit River is known for enter the
river in late Winter and the peak fishing season is in
March and April. From Dalles Bridge upstream to Bacon
Creek, a distance of about 25 miles, from March 16
through April 30, it's catch and release only. The fish
average about ten to twelve pounds and go up to twenty.
The Skagit River is classic steelhead water. It's a big
river that's wide with long shallow runs and plenty of
deep places of the fish to hold. It's full of large rocks and
boulders. The water above the confluence of the Sauk
River, a large tributary covered elsewhere in this
section, is rarely dingy. The Skagit River a tailwater and
stays gin clear most of the time. The Cascade River, a
major tributary that enters at Marblemount, will dingy the
water at times during Winter but other than that, the
upper Skagit stays clear. Below the Cascade River
confluence,the Skagit River becomes wider, on a lower
decline with slower riffles and runs. Downstream of the
glacier feed Sauk River confluence is a different thing,
especially after heavy winter rains. It can become high
and very dingy and mess up the lower Skagit River.
There's a small run of summer steelhead that starts in
June. In the summer there's a few Chinook Salmon but
the Pink Salmon that enter every other year and the
Silver Salmon are the main salmon attraction and is best
during the late Summer. Right behind the salmon comes
runs of Dolley Varden and sea-run cutthroats that feed
on the salmon eggs. The Chum Salmon and first
hatchery steelhead enter in the late Fall. The wild
steelhead, the Skagit's main attraction, enter the river
the first of the new year.
Seasons:
Also see "Seasons" on the left side of the page
Spring:
Winter steelhead fishing peaks in April.
Summer:
A few Chinook and Pink Salmon (every other year) are in
the river in August, .
Fall:
Chum Salmon are in the river in late Fall. Sea run
cutthroat trout are in the lower river.
Winter:
December through April, has runs of steelhead with the
best wild steelhead fishing beginning in March.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
The Skagit River is one of Washington's larger
steelhead and salmon streams. It begins in Canada and
fllows from Ross Lake which is dammed by Ross and
Diablo Dams. It has a large variety of different species of
fish including Summer and Winter steelhead runs, all five
species of Pacific salmon, sea-run cutthroats and dolly
varden char.
Fly fishing the Skagit River is a little different from many
northwestern streams in that its Winter steelhead run
occurs later than most. Hatchery raised steelhead begin
entering the river in December but the large, wild
steelhead that the Skagit River is known for enter the
river in late Winter and the peak fishing season is in
March and April. From Dalles Bridge upstream to Bacon
Creek, a distance of about 25 miles, from March 16
through April 30, it's catch and release only. The fish
average about ten to twelve pounds and go up to twenty.
The Skagit River is classic steelhead water. It's a big
river that's wide with long shallow runs and plenty of
deep places of the fish to hold. It's full of large rocks and
boulders. The water above the confluence of the Sauk
River, a large tributary covered elsewhere in this
section, is rarely dingy. The Skagit River a tailwater and
stays gin clear most of the time. The Cascade River, a
major tributary that enters at Marblemount, will dingy the
water at times during Winter but other than that, the
upper Skagit stays clear. Below the Cascade River
confluence,the Skagit River becomes wider, on a lower
decline with slower riffles and runs. Downstream of the
glacier feed Sauk River confluence is a different thing,
especially after heavy winter rains. It can become high
and very dingy and mess up the lower Skagit River.
There's a small run of summer steelhead that starts in
June. In the summer there's a few Chinook Salmon but
the Pink Salmon that enter every other year and the
Silver Salmon are the main salmon attraction and is best
during the late Summer. Right behind the salmon comes
runs of Dolley Varden and sea-run cutthroats that feed
on the salmon eggs. The Chum Salmon and first
hatchery steelhead enter in the late Fall. The wild
steelhead, the Skagit's main attraction, enter the river
the first of the new year.
Seasons:
Also see "Seasons" on the left side of the page
Spring:
Winter steelhead fishing peaks in April.
Summer:
A few Chinook and Pink Salmon (every other year) are in
the river in August, .
Fall:
Chum Salmon are in the river in late Fall. Sea run
cutthroat trout are in the lower river.
Winter:
December through April, has runs of steelhead with the
best wild steelhead fishing beginning in March.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Steelhead (native and hatchery) Coho Salmon Chinook Salmon Pink Salmon Sea-run Cutthroat Dolley Varden Char Size Medium to large Location Northwest Washington Nearest Towns Rockport Season June 1-April 30. Varies by species Winter steelhead, Dec-April Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Washington Weather National Weather Service Link Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies |
 | |  | |  |
Free Shipping Continental U. S.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
"Perfect Fly"
Pacific Coast Steelhead Flies
"Perfect Fly"
Pacific Coast Salmon Flies
Pacific Coast Steelhead Flies
"Perfect Fly"
Pacific Coast Salmon Flies
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |