Author: Barry Olson

Posted: 1/10/2021

The Need for Engineered Large and Small Woody Debris Stream Structures to Restore Streams and ESA Listed Fish Stocks Through the media, fishermen and fisherwomen are made aware of the reasons for the decline of Pacific Northwest salmon because of over-harvest, habitat loss, climate change, and many others. In this article, I would like to share what I have learned from installing over 2500 ...

Author: Rick Lawrence

Posted: 1/10/2021

One of the most highly overlooked fishing opportunities in mid-winter is fishing the N.W. rivers for big Brown trout. I have caught almost all my largest Browns this time of year. My earliest recollection of catching Browns on stickbaits was in the mid-80s, in the Pend Oreille River. I tossed an old Rapala minnow in gold with a black back and white belly in hopes of catching some big smallmouth b...

Author: John Kruse

Posted: 1/10/2021

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has enacted new rules, meant to help resident orca whales, that will impact commercial whale watching boat operations in Puget Sound. The endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) numbered as high as 98 in 1995 but declined to 74 orcas by October of 2020. They frequent the North Sound, especially around the San Juan Islands during the summe...

Author: Mike Carey

Posted: 1/10/2021

“It looks like the weather man was off with his wind forecast”. With white caps bearing down on us as we crab walked the boat sideways, we worked our way down Lake Pend Oreille. While it was not the roughest water I’ve ever been in, I was happy as the morning progressed to see the wind start to lie down and our course change to trolling with the wind instead of sideways to it. Aaron Borg and I ...

Author: Eric Magnuson

Posted: 1/10/2021

Believe it or not, but Northeastern, and North Central Washington actually sit in what is called the ice belt. The Ice Belt stretches across the Mid-West to Central Washington, and cuts sharp North into Canada. We are fortunate to sit where we do in this upper North corner of Washington State. We absolutely have the four seasons, with winter being one that many welcome with open arms. Some of ...

Author: Hannah Pennebaker

Posted: 1/10/2021

If there is one fish legendary for how difficult it is to catch, it would be the steelhead trout. You may have heard steelhead called "the fish of a thousand casts". These sleek, chrome fish can certainly be intimidating to the novice angler. Veteran fishermen remain tight lipped about their spots and techniques, which creates a barrier of entry to those looking for somewhere to start. These are s...

Author: Jason Brooks

Posted: 1/10/2021

With WDFW’s recent emergency rule change for coastal rivers where anglers cannot fish out of a floating device those that prefer to use a drift boat or jet sled have been sent back to the gravel bar. Before this rule change and in my early steelheading years I stood on the banks, hiked along the trails and perched atop boulders just knowing that I could catch more fish if I just had a boat. Finall...

Author: Paul Lewis

Posted: 1/10/2021

It’s the middle of winter in Washington and usually that means Blackmouth salmon in the Puget Sound and the pursuit of trophy winter steelhead across our rivers. However, as we all know by now, our options have been severely limited by the state this year, which has left many of us looking for different opportunities for a great day on the water. Lots of times, this means more trout fishing o...

Author: John Kruse

Posted: 1/10/2021

Call it the silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic…People are discovering or rediscovering the great outdoors. This means the outdoors will likely be a crowded place in 2021 as well. This means now is the time to plan your outdoor adventures for the year. With that in mind, what will you resolve to do outside in 2021? TRY SOMETHING NEW – If you haven’t gone fishing or hunting before, this is...

Author: John Kruse

Posted: 12/26/2020

There is a lot of news to cover as we roll into the new year covering everything from salmon forecasts to adjusted sportsmen’s show schedules to winter recreation in our state parks. COLUMBIA RIVER FISH FORECAST – The Oregon and Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife have issued their joint forecast for fish returning up the Columbia River in 2021. The good news is a number of projected r...

Author: Jason Brooks

Posted: 12/12/2020

There’s something about standing around a small warming fire on the banks of a lake, or chipping away at the ice and using a bucket as a seat. It’s wintertime and regardless if you are on the colder side of the region or in the temperate west side we all tend to get a bit of “cabin fever” and just want to go fishing. Trout is the answer, just like they are when we were young, or during warmer spri...

Author: Rick Lawrence

Posted: 12/12/2020

1. I always carry colored magic markers in my tackle box as you can camouflage your braided line with them, or dress up a chipped or bad paint job on a crankbait. They work great to modify soft plastic baits as well. 2. Use a safety pin to hold small hooks, beads, snaps or swivels. Any small part you can put on a wire will help keep them organized. 3. Add a feathered treble hook to all your top...