I just moved to the area recently, and was looking forward to some great fishing. However, I’m finding it quite frustrating to see all the closed rivers in the area due to the steelhead protection. Not going to go into the semantics about that here, as there are good and bad with it, I’m sure.
I have looked at fish and game’s website and PDF of rivers/streams in the area… but I’m not finding much info at all on places you CAN fish without hiking 10 miles into the backcountry at the headwaters of some of these rivers.
Can anyone give me some tips please of some legal places in the general area (Plain, Wentachee, Leavenworth, etc) to fish?
TC, Right now there are not many places in the “general” area to fish. Fish Lake is about the best thing going at this time for bait and fly fishing. There are many places, again mostly desert lakes, within a few hour drive that get you fishing. As the snow melt tapers off there will be steams to fish in our area that are quite good and you can drive right to them. I really enjoy Rainy Creek, Little Wenatchee, upper Icicle and upper White river. The key is that you need to get above the falls as the regulations call out. There are some great smaller streams around that you can drive and do a short hike in to fish. Just keep talking with people you meet and they will give you good tips on both places and how to catch them. This is what I have done over the years and I still am hearing and trying new area’s out. There are fish, you just need to find them and figure out what they are biting on. And, you can drive right to them. If you are a fly fisherman or want to be one we have a local fly fishing group of fellows that meets on a regular basis and that is another outlet to hear about local fishing.
I’m sure once I get settled in and meet others, I will learn more. I don’t expect people to start dishing out all their spots right away, I am just a little frustrated with the limitations I wasn’t previously aware of, I guess.
My wife and I are beginning fisherfolk… but we’d both love the chance to learn how to fly fish. We were hoping to get some lessons from a local outfitter this summer.
TC, Don’t be discouraged. We have quite a few fisheries here in the area, both consistent and rebounding. As mentioned and deciphered in the WDFW rulebook there are several rivers and creeks drive/short hike-able to wet a fly and catch trout. Recently the Wenatchee, Entiat, Icicle and others have added steelhead, Chinook, and coho seasons; some that have been closed for many years.
Fly-fishing is a blast (especially if you like to “observe” fish) and the small rivers/streams here are perfect for a novice/intermediate. You don’t have to go buy the most expensive equipment and be Brad Pit on the stream. Just get the fly in the stream (without falling in) and “flick” it around to different habitat spots. Stop by the local store, midway, park-side, shell or go into Der-sportsman, Hooked on toys, heck Wall-mart and get a few kinds of flies and go try them out! Remember the experience and adventure is the reward; squish the barb, release what you don’t need and what you aren’t allowed to keep. If I had hours; I could just go around to all the little streams (open ones, check book and state wide rule section) and just see what is in there.
I would recommend hiring a guide for the salmon and steelhead fisheries (at least the first time you want to try a new fishery); it is not too expensive (considering boat, gear, and knowledge). The way I like to select a local guide is to go to the boat take-out and start up a conversation with them and their clients to see if they are personable and if the clients are happy (don’t get in the way or distract just observatory). Might even get a discounted half-day if the fishin’ is hot and they don’t have another client lined-up! Further away you have to roll the dice a little, or ask a local guide if they do the other fishery or recommend someone. Check the newspaper or WDFW website for special openings not in the book. A good guide gets excited to fish; a Great guide gets excited for you to catch and enjoy the fishing they are excited to do.
I have had a couple of 4 different species/waterbodies weekends (even days) in the area. This area is fortunate to have the multiple opportunities that it does… and it seems to be getting better!
thanks, brett.. appreciate the thoughts you took the time to write out. I am finding a few areas that show some promise, and I’m sure as more and more areas open up for travel, it will get even better!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
I just moved to the area recently, and was looking forward to some great fishing. However, I’m finding it quite frustrating to see all the closed rivers in the area due to the steelhead protection. Not going to go into the semantics about that here, as there are good and bad with it, I’m sure.
I have looked at fish and game’s website and PDF of rivers/streams in the area… but I’m not finding much info at all on places you CAN fish without hiking 10 miles into the backcountry at the headwaters of some of these rivers.
Can anyone give me some tips please of some legal places in the general area (Plain, Wentachee, Leavenworth, etc) to fish?
Thank you,
TC
TC,
Right now there are not many places in the “general” area to fish. Fish Lake is about the best thing going at this time for bait and fly fishing. There are many places, again mostly desert lakes, within a few hour drive that get you fishing. As the snow melt tapers off there will be steams to fish in our area that are quite good and you can drive right to them. I really enjoy Rainy Creek, Little Wenatchee, upper Icicle and upper White river. The key is that you need to get above the falls as the regulations call out. There are some great smaller streams around that you can drive and do a short hike in to fish. Just keep talking with people you meet and they will give you good tips on both places and how to catch them. This is what I have done over the years and I still am hearing and trying new area’s out. There are fish, you just need to find them and figure out what they are biting on. And, you can drive right to them.
If you are a fly fisherman or want to be one we have a local fly fishing group of fellows that meets on a regular basis and that is another outlet to hear about local fishing.
Thank you, Dennis!
I’m sure once I get settled in and meet others, I will learn more. I don’t expect people to start dishing out all their spots right away, I am just a little frustrated with the limitations I wasn’t previously aware of, I guess.
My wife and I are beginning fisherfolk… but we’d both love the chance to learn how to fly fish. We were hoping to get some lessons from a local outfitter this summer.
Hope to meet you sometime,
Todd
TC,
Don’t be discouraged. We have quite a few fisheries here in the area, both consistent and rebounding. As mentioned and deciphered in the WDFW rulebook there are several rivers and creeks drive/short hike-able to wet a fly and catch trout. Recently the Wenatchee, Entiat, Icicle and others have added steelhead, Chinook, and coho seasons; some that have been closed for many years.
Fly-fishing is a blast (especially if you like to “observe” fish) and the small rivers/streams here are perfect for a novice/intermediate. You don’t have to go buy the most expensive equipment and be Brad Pit on the stream. Just get the fly in the stream (without falling in) and “flick” it around to different habitat spots. Stop by the local store, midway, park-side, shell or go into Der-sportsman, Hooked on toys, heck Wall-mart and get a few kinds of flies and go try them out! Remember the experience and adventure is the reward; squish the barb, release what you don’t need and what you aren’t allowed to keep. If I had hours; I could just go around to all the little streams (open ones, check book and state wide rule section) and just see what is in there.
I would recommend hiring a guide for the salmon and steelhead fisheries (at least the first time you want to try a new fishery); it is not too expensive (considering boat, gear, and knowledge). The way I like to select a local guide is to go to the boat take-out and start up a conversation with them and their clients to see if they are personable and if the clients are happy (don’t get in the way or distract just observatory). Might even get a discounted half-day if the fishin’ is hot and they don’t have another client lined-up! Further away you have to roll the dice a little, or ask a local guide if they do the other fishery or recommend someone. Check the newspaper or WDFW website for special openings not in the book. A good guide gets excited to fish; a Great guide gets excited for you to catch and enjoy the fishing they are excited to do.
I have had a couple of 4 different species/waterbodies weekends (even days) in the area. This area is fortunate to have the multiple opportunities that it does… and it seems to be getting better!
Good-luck!
brett
thanks, brett.. appreciate the thoughts you took the time to write out. I am finding a few areas that show some promise, and I’m sure as more and more areas open up for travel, it will get even better!
TC
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