I just got back from some Good Methow dry fly fishing. We have been mostly fishing hoppers. We would throw on droppers to hook a few extra fish but most fish were hitting top water so the hassle of a dropper is best with a good caster and stronger rod. We did swing a few leaches in the deeper pools that found a few extra fish but hard to beat the fun of casting a single dry. In mid to late July from Carlton down had some colored water due to some heavy rains and dirty creeks but that has now cleared and looking good. My preferred water is from Carlton down due to the better pools.  http://www.flyfishsteelhead.com/#!methow/cu2j

My dad just come off the Stillaguamish playing around with some new flies and found some sea run cutts. Look for that fishery to get better and better this month.

Sea run cutthroat fishing on the Stillaguamish River will be pretty much limited to August due to the river closing in September and October. There is no good reason that the North fork system can’t be left open to catch and release . .. Blame our fish managers.  August does have some good fishing though.  One of my favorite things about  cutty fishing from our boat is the opportunity to watch the fish chase the fly and take.  Great little sport fish with lots of action. Great for beginners or people that just like to catch fish. Even on a weekend the stretches I fish hardly have any fishing pressure. Stillaguamish sea run cutthroat full day float class Aug 27th and 28th Spots available

Mike - Streamsideflyshop@yahoo.com  425-330-9506

The Skagit has been producing some good bull trout fishing with the occasional salmon. I usually fish our cop car fly, dolly lama or rolled muddler. The upper Skagit will close September 15th and open in the late fall. 

XLLS​​

Cowlitz River steelheading: booking September 24th and 25th or I’ll be running 2 day trips anytime for $399 pp double occ.  The “Cow” has some killer swing water and great steelhead fishing this year. From now on you can start to catch some cutthroat too.

Grande Ronde partner needed for 3 day trip 8-10th.

Methow steelhead trip partner needed for Oct. 24th - 26th

Fall Steelhead on the Grande Ronde  –

Single day trips and our popular 3 day cabins and campout.

preseason rates for the 3 day trip are $650 pp double occ. That includes lodging, food and any equipment needs.  Contact me for a sample itinerary.

http://www.flyfishsteelhead.com/#!grande-ronde/c25j

Schools & Casting classes: Looking to learn? We have Casting classes, 4 hr river float classes and Full day Steelhead Classes now available. http://www.flyfishsteelhead.com/#!class/czpx

Pay and sign up online.

Check out our calendar - http://flyfishsteelhead.com/guiding.htm 

Happy Fishing,   Mike - Streamsideflyshop@yahoo.com 425-330-9506

For more info check out and join our facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/248375167480/

As the state and the tribes are bickering over the Puget Sound Rivers we are putting together some options for our guys. The Puget sound rivers may still open but in the mean time we are now booking for Methow River Trout, Cowlitz Steelhead, trout on area beaches, and Grande Ronde Steelhead in the fall.

Methow trout: July – September - Booking now! Free dozen flies if you mention this add.

One of my favorite fisheries. Dry fly gets going in July and lasts through the summer. The species include rainbows, cutthroat, bull trout and the coveted Cuttbows (we have caught those up to 7 lbs!) We float in our rafts and most days are spent wet wading in warm weather with a beautiful back drop and plenty of fish opportunities.

http://www.flyfishsteelhead.com/#!methow/cu2j

Grande Ronde: October - Fall Steelhead

Single day trips and our popular 3 day cabins and campout. Prime dates are booking up now. 

preseason rates for the 3 day trip are $650 pp double occupancy. That includes lodging, food and any equipment needs. Contact me for a sample itinerary.Check out our slideshow here -

http://www.flyfishsteelhead.com/#!grande-ronde/c25j

Beach fishing for trout:  Now - summer

Camano Island, and Whidby island 5+ hrs $250 for 1 or 2 anglers.

Start times Depends on tides.

2 full day Yakima River trout float trips For $375pp double occupancy on sale now through June - mention this add.

2 full day Cowlitz River Steelhead float trips For $375pp double occupancy on sale now through Aug - mention this add.

Tight lines,

Mike Dickson
Head Guide
Flyfishsteelhead.com
Streamsideflyshop.com
425-330-9506

Join our Facebook Group

Joe & William Platz with guide Dennis Dickson

4-28-16
Spend a morning fly fishing Lake Rlley out side of Arlington
A micro leech on a floating line and long light leader was the ticket.
Here is an article Dennis wrote called Lake Strategies
Best of Fishing,
Dennis

Spring steelheading is starting to wind down. Overall it was a good season with the biggest difficulty being was hitting some fly friendly rivers in good shape. The Queets and Bogi were dirtier than normal this year so it made for a few less options which put more anglers on other rivers. The upper Queets changed quite a bit with some new killer runs but it does rub some new clay banks that colors it up a little more in the lower part of the float.  I was able to get hot fishing on the lower Queets the other day with 1 other boat around. The Queets and Hoh still gets some fresh fish later in the season, some had sea lice.
Shame the Skagit wasn't open even thought it has more fish than any Olympic Peninsula river! I'll be at Occupy Skagit on April 30th at Howard Miller Steelhead park. Be there and show support.

Couple tips for Staying warm while winter steelheading: 
neoprene socks and wool socks, hand warmers, 2-3 pairs of fingerless gloves for when the first pair gets wet. heater, good rain jacket with hood, a buff, down jacket. I use a lighter one on warmer days and heavier one on colder days. Non leaky waders! Double check them before you come. 

New: Beach fishing off Whidby and Camano Island. Starting now - late October for Sea run Cutthroat, bull trout, and salmon when open and available. This trip is walk-in and depends on weather, tides and water clarity. trips are 5-6 + hrs for $279 for 2 anglers. 
We use floating and intermediate lines and at times big flies. Moderate to great casting is ideal. 

New: Creek fishing for nice trout up to 18+ inches. We focus on dry fly fishing but will use other techniques at different times. Most fishing is done 1+ hour east of Arlington. Usually the fish are plentiful and the pressure is nil. Full day is $350 for 1 person and $100 for an additional angler. Fishing starts late July - September. 

Skykomish Summer Steelhead school June 25th Full day 7-8 hrs. Come join us as we float the Skykomish River. These one day schools will cover every aspect of reading water, presentation, fish characteristics, fishing the correct gear, including spey casting. 1/2 the day will be dedicated to learning and the other half fishing and practicing. Each class includes a river side lunch. Up to 3 students per guide. $169 PP 

Look forward I am already booking for the Grande Ronde steelhead in October. Our 3 day camp is a lot of fun. That river is one of the prettiest rivers you will ever fish. Good trout fishing and skating flies for steelhead is a blast. 


Schools & Casting classes: Looking to learn? We have Casting classes, 4 hr river float classes and Full day Steelhead Classes now available. Pay and sign up online. 
Streamsideflyshop@yahoo.com

12 assorted Salmon flies $19.99 + tax 

12 assorted Steelhead flies$19.99 + tax

Check out our calendar - http://flyfishsteelhead.com/guiding.htm 

For more info check out and join our facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/248375167480/

Tight lines and Happy fishing,  Dickson Flyfishing crew.

Fredward with a Sol Duc Steelie

The Just got blown off the O.P. rivers yet again. I wish the Skagit and Sauk rivers were open. The Skagit got 8600 fish last spring (above the 6000 escapement goal) and the Hoh will only average around 2500. Check out the Occupy Skagit at the end of April and attend! I'll be there. 
With the last rain I think I could have floated all the way to my house.
Rivers I have fished lately:
The Sol Duc  was the only river fishable early in the week so it got pretty crowded. I did the hatchery drift down to whitman. Pretty much had to nymph the water till we got below maxfields. From maxfields down there are more swing spots and some actually swing better with the higher water. The river fished ok, the checker said the average boat got 0 - 2 fish. I did see a couple big fish caught.
I didn't fish the Calawah but the reports were a little better with 1-3 + fish per boat.
As the bogashiel became fishable (2+ ft of vis) that open up more options. Much better swing water and easier to float than the Sol Duc. With the recent flood it will be out for at least 4+ days. It does get clearer above the 101 bridge. 
Earlier I did float the Hoh from the park boundry to oxbow. There was a a nasty log across the river just a little way into the float. You have to quickly drop into a side channel on the right. I actually had to jump out of the boat and pull it into it to get to it in time. It would be hard to do if the river is over 3000 cfs. There is also another split that you have to take to the right a little further down. There has been a few boat flips on the float so I wouldn't do it if your not experienced. From morgans down is easier and some spots changed with even better swing water. It was fishing very good. 
The Queets has been out of shape. I did manage to get a day the lower float a couple weeks ago. Great water, changed a bit but not allot. It will be out for a while. Look to hit the upper float first as it will clear faster.
The Humptulips was ok. I fished from 101 down. It has some nice water but I wish it had some better rocks. You need a key access the water in the upper section. I'd like to get that next year. It has some better rocks. 
The lower Quinault has been blown. The upper Quinault is another river to look too as it is one to clear faster than some of the others. The upper part of the float is short so you have to take your time. Great swing water. The middle of the upper float changed quite a bit with a couple braids. The lower part of the float is longer but rowing threw the lake sucks with my raft. That area has lots of braids and log jams to don't do it if you don't know it. Right at the mouth is fun for bull trout though. There are a bunch waiting for fry to flush out. 
Lets hope the worst of the rain has past and we rest of the season gets better conditions. This is the magic time to fish over there.

Look forward I am already booking for the Grande Ronde steelhead in October. Our 3 day camp is a lot of fun. That river is one of the prettiest rivers you will ever fish. Good trout fishing and skating flies for steelhead is a blast. 


Schools & Casting classes: Looking to learn? We have Casting classes, 4 hr river float classes and Full day Steelhead Classes now available. Pay and sign up online. 
Streamsideflyshop@yahoo.com

12 assorted Salmon flies $19.99 + tax 

12 assorted Steelhead flies$19.99 + tax

Check out our calendar - http://flyfishsteelhead.com/guiding.htm 

For more info check out and join our facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/248375167480/

Tight lines and Happy fishing,  Dickson Flyfishing crew.

Full day Steelhead school in Queets/Quinault area March 5th (2 spots open) $179pp

Full day Steelhead school in Forks area on Bogachiel river March 19th (1 spot open) $179pp

Peninsula Steelhead Guide trips looking for partners March 10^th, 20 and 21, or any 2 days April 8,9, or 10 

The O.P. rivers are Blown out. I was out there earlier in the week. I floated the Satsop for the first

time. For a flyfisherman I was a little bummed. The part that discouraged me was as soon as you get to the mainstem of the river there are jet boats running all over the place and it was busy for a weekday. I like to swing my spey and the best spots to swing are in the lower part of the river.  The East fork is small and better for nyphing or short swings with a switch.
We also fished the Humptulips with pretty low visibility. The Humptulips when in good condition can get a beautiful green color. We did get a fish just below the hatchery. The river doesn't get the jet boats and has a softer gradient with some nice swing water. 
Usually the last river to go out of shape in the area is the Upper Quinault. We wandered up there on Saturday only to find low viability again. We ended up just fishing one run and decided to head for cover as it was raining pretty good. I knew the river would get worse so time to make some calls, reschedule some trips and head for the Barn. 

Check out a little video clip I made - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0OlhOMzDH0


Schools & Casting classes: Looking to learn? We have Casting classes, 4 hr river float classes and Full day Steelhead Classes now available. Pay and sign up online. 
Streamsideflyshop@yahoo.com

12 assorted Salmon flies $19.99 + tax 

12 assorted Steelhead flies$19.99 + tax

Check out our calendar - http://flyfishsteelhead.com/guiding.htm 

For more info check out and join our facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/248375167480/

Tight lines and Happy fishing,  Dickson Flyfishing crew.

Update: Partner needed to split the cost of a O.P. Steelhead trip April 8th, 9th and 10th.

 
It's amazing all the rules and regulations they try to put on sports fishermen with out fixing the real problem of #1 netting rivers and #2 commercial fishing. Also if you want to reduce fishing pressure I vote for opening more rivers, catch & release single barbless with no bait - lowww impact. Spread out anglers. I have heard things may happen on the Skagit someday. Even if numbers are lower on a river like the Skykomish, maybe open it a couple weeks of the month instead of a complete shut down. If it's late season and most fish are spawning then shut it down.
As an angler we need to do our part if we do catch and release by carefully landing fish preferably with a rubber mesh net and minimizing time out of water if any. Resuscitate fish when needed. Also it is possible to fatally harm steelhead when landing them on the rocks. I haven't noticed it myself but biologists in Canada have mentioned it is possible after they landed fish, tagged them and then find some dead shortly after. After doing some reseach they found they bruised their brain while being landed on rocks and died.

Booking now: Full Day Spey casting & Steelhead school March 5th on the Queets river. $169PP with up to 3 people max. 2 spots open.

I focus on the National Park section of the Queets River due to it's great swing water but fish most of the other rivers around depending on fishing/river conditions.

Update: Upper sections of puget sound rivers will close Feb 15th and everything else will close Jan 31st.

As for trout there are some bull trout on the Skagit/Sauk and sea run cutts on our local rivers depending on where you fish. In the past people often over look the Dolly Varden

Skagit Dolly Varden

but with other species lacking we have found them to be a great target when you just need some tuggs. They hit the fly hard and finding one or 2 over 25"+ is not uncommon.

Schools & Casting classes: Looking to learn? We have Casting classes, 4 hr river float classes and Full day Steelhead Classes now available. Pay and sign up online. 

Streamsideflyshop@yahoo.com

12 assorted Salmon flies $19.99 + tax 

12 assorted Steelhead flies$19.99 + tax

Check out our calendar - http://flyfishsteelhead.com/guiding.htm 

For more info check out and join our facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/248375167480/

Tight lines and Happy fishing,  Dickson Flyfishing crew.