Recommendations for River Fishing in Snohomish County (New Anglers)

[bedawes]

Fairly new to River fishing besides dabbling in some Steelhead at Reiter on the Sky last winter.

A friend and I are planning on hitting a local river (Snohomish? Skykomish? Skagit? Recommendations?) this weekend to target Salmon (Pinks/Coho? Are there still fish moving through?). I live in Lake Stevens.

Looking for recommendations on river system to target, setup (Jigs/Spoons/etc.)?

We are fairly experienced river kayaking on the Skykomish South fork and the run from Big Eddy to Sultan and, depending on CFS flow on the Sky, putting in at Big Eddy and drifting down in search of some Salmon. We'd likely pull over multiple times and work seams/holes/etc.

I've down my homework looking at the reports and regs, just wanted some input from you all. Thoughts? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

Brad

[JoshH]

I fish out of a hobie pro angler, but I fish the lower Snohomish. The pinks are up that far, but they are starting to turn. I've heard there are a few Coho starting to trickle up that way, but they really won't start to get thick up there for another week or 2. Lower Snohomish (from the Snohomish launch on down) trolling is good, pulling plugs or spoons. I'll be on the lower Snohomish myself this weekend.

Skagit is completely closed, I normally fish it as opposed to the Snohomish. Usually the north fork of the lower river.

[bedawes]

Thanks for the reply. So you don't think any Coho are up in the Skykomish system yet?

Any part of the Lower Snohomish that we'd need to know about if we are floating? Is it all high bank or are there areas to pull off? We've ran Class III runs on the Skykomish in our inflatable kayaks, so they aren't the cheap Wal Mart IK's. They are higher-end inflatables, so perfectly reliable to fish out of. Just wondering if there is anything obstructions, etc. we should look out for.

If we launch in Snohomish, is the take out at the mouth somewhere in Everett? Trying to figure out logistics. Thanks again!

[JoshH]

There are Coho in the Sky now, just not a lot yet. For the lower river you could put in at either the new launch in Snohomish across from stocker fields, or at the old launch at cady park. Take out could be at Rotary park in Everett or langus. That part of the river is tidal though, so flow changes direction. In my Hobie, I don't worry about the current flow, unless there is a ton of water running out. No real obstructions to worry about.

[bedawes]

Thanks again. Also, your videos are great and very helpful, I appreciate learning and watching them.

Any tips to target Coho this weekend in the float from Sultan to Monroe? This is likely the run we'll do (again depending on CFS tomorrow and Sunday)

Any particular tackle I should pick up? Jigs (3/8th?) and Spoon sizing? Do you float your jig at a certain depth or no float? This is likely the run we'll do (again depending on CFS tomorrow and Sunday).

Thanks again.

[JoshH]

Sorry, missed this. I have zero experience on that part of the river. I am going to assume it's a lot like fishing the Cascade. Look for soft spots where the fish will hold. Bends, behind structure, spots that have a little depth with little water movement. That part of the river they shouldn't be moving that much. Drift spoons or eggs under a float, could try a jig too. Maybe a foot or 2 off bottom.