Northwest Fishing Reports

Hey all,

I'm lookin' to do some fishin' in the SNOQUALMIE RIVER for some SteelHead, I've heard from a few locals that they're their right now... From what I've gather'd, bundles of salmon-eggs free-line'd with a small weight etc... is the way to go? Never fished Steel-heads before. School me on all the need to know's & techniques/baits that you all have/had the best luck with. Thanks a lot.

-Matt

Haha, if i had a nickel for everyone of these posts about how to catch my first steelhead I would be a very rich man. Just do some research on steelhead fishing the Snoqualmie... hint ( a Google search might work). Not saying you're doing this, but a lot of people think that by posting for help from other members they are just going to give away their secret spots and techniques. Steelhead fishing doesn't work this way, it's about putting in your dues and enjoying success when it happens (which isn't very often in the Snoqualmie). Anyways, bet of luck you to...sorry if im coming across as a jac* a**. There are a ton of very knowledgeable anglers probably willing to give you more help than I am. It doesn't help however that you only have one post on this website yet look for very vital information that only a select few have.

Just my .02
Sorry again about being such a pain.
I know this website is about sharing information, but let’s be realistic… no good steelheader is going to tell you what rock to stand on and where to cast. Part of the fun in winter steelhead fishing is experimenting yourself. Trust me….you will be rewarded beyond your wildest expectations if you put in your time!

The Snoqualmie River has many good steelheading spots. Among my favorites are the "big eddy" pool at the mouth of Tokel Creek, the pool at the mouth of the Raging River and the big pool at the bottom of Snoqualmie Falls. And, there is a big rock to stand on at the falls pool that is a fishermans favorite. You can cast spoons, plugs, even flatfish and bait under a float. Great scenery too!

Time and effort=fish on the bank. Fish the Carnation area and Fall City upstream to the falls.

I plunk on occaision down by Neal road.From there on down around a mile is nice peacefull solitude fishing.Tokul Creek is combative and the mouth of Tokul is as bad (crowd wise).I've done very well on Tokul last season but I really like when my fish can run.Even drive Neal road a bit. Lots of good fishing areas there.The Tolt River is another great spot.Good luck....

Use the "Search" button on the site menu - type in "steelhead". Go to the "Articles" tab. First hit is the most recent article posted by Bob Johansen on steelheading essentials. Second page of the search list are several arcticles by Uncle Wes on how to steelhead fish. Third page is a nice article from DaveGraybill.

These guys know their steelheading and there is a lot of good info!

Recommended reading:

Western Steelhead Fishing Guide by Milt Keizer (Amato Publications).

Read, review, wander over to the Snoqualmie, watch and ask - don't bring gear - just be friendly and find someone that doesn't mind sharing - you'll find them. I asked so many questions when I first started out. You'll run into some guys that won't say much, but I'm willing to bet you'll also find a few that will be more than generous. Especially if you don't mind being open and admitting your lack of knowledge.

Another spot worth checking out is Reiter....It's under an hour drive from Bellevue, and a lot of the steelhead returning via the Skykomish system head up the Reiter. Its not exactly peace and solitude type fishing, you will be fishing with a lot of folks, but a lot of fish are caught there and you can see how its done out there. Float and jig is the way up there. Very snaggy bottom, but a float and jig is an awesome way to learn, and then you can head out and fish other spots of the Sky and the Wallace with your new knowledge...

Also, I'd head up to 3 Rivers Marine and go to one of the guys who work there and ask for some help on getting set up, what gear to use, where to go, etc. I've always gotten top notch customer service there, I've had folks go and draw me maps on scratch paper, directing me to some holes on the river away from the normal hotspots....Lots of good tackle in there too, always a great visit for me when I'm in there....

Another good option is browse through articles on line (www.steelheaduniversity.com) and use the search function on this site and look up "Snoqualmie River" and/or "steelhead."

Best of luck to ya.

Please never fish Reiter#-o A-9 nothing personal:bounce: , you will never learn holding waters, tailouts and real wild rivers for steelhead how and why's.
With natural seams and where steelhead really hold in a open real wild system .

Stacking fish at the mouth of a Hatchery Creek is shameful#-o and then the combat arm to arm is a terrible way to get started and should be outlawed 2,000 yards from any hatchery System down stream only.
It slows our learning curve when just down river at the (Cable hole):cheers: the river is open and real and worth the hike in. Many fish hold there (B plus)

Next hole over 200 steelhead personally taken is the (Lama hole):cheers:(A grade) the Blue ribbon upper Skykomish steelhead hole bank or drift boat!:compress:

Next is the (Jungle) great bend and holding waters and a hiker as well nates and brates!:compress: (B-)
Then the (Wallace flats) (A plus) Great stacking area and fish stop there to go up the Wallace or continue up the main Sky!
Then the (Craker bar) over hyped and fished!:-({|= D easy acess cupcake presser:bom:

Some real good stuff between there and the Ben Howard drift boat take out many great holes, seams and longer tailouts. over all (B)


THE BEST IS THE SKY AND SNO MEETING GROUNDS (THE CONFLUENCE HOLE) THE FISH STAGE AND STACK TO ACCLIMATE TO WHAT RIVER AND HEADWATERS THEY CAME FROM AND WILL HOLD THERE SOME TIMES DAYS NATS LOVE THIS SPOT.

2nd picture big buck in the lower Wallace just above the main pool coming out of the Sky
Hatchery Brates are on the GO GO GO!!!!! Learn the systems earn it and you will be dailed at hooking, fighting winter and summer steelhead!!!!
Tight Lines Fish on!!!! Reiter you will learn bad habits, crime and trash and combat fishing most of the time! Peace

Many of these holes have filled in some due to bad logging and development as well!
Fish on!
Last picture is the 2nd lama hole just around the big bend in the river right had side /westside walking downriver many fish stop there as well we took 4 nice chromers off a bait diver in the willie Drifter that day and hole and seam.

Great stuff swede. No one doubts your fish catching abilities, and we all respect the time and knowledge you've put in on the rivers and waters around here, and moreso we respect the willingness of your sharing of these locations, tactics, etc.

Thank man peace out Bro fought for 11 plus/ring wars many bad wars/ want to know just I know fight for fish and kids warriors are a cupcake at heart as well!!!LOL

Remember swing with your drifts always keep your rod trip even with your swing all the way through your tail outs/keeps all the slack out as well during hook sets:bounce: and count to 30 before picking up your bait, fly whatever in the tailouts many times there smack dab sitting in the slower seam and will wail on your bait!/ Many just pick up and cast away I catch 40 percent of my hogs in the tail outs WAITING of my drifts just wait count then pick her up and work your casts a few yards out each cast it covers all of the bang zone and all the holding areas fish hold!
Fish on!:cheers:
There he is smack in the inside/tailout seam FISH ON!:cheers: and never wear a Orange cap fishing clear waters LOL I had to loaded with killer Bears where I was pressing! last Picture shot 2 in one day!!:-#

Man Swede that is cool. Those pics are way nice too.
I just about **** my pants when I saw the hole you got 200 fish from.

Ever fish on the Salt ?

im hoping to head out to the sno this weekend...was there last sat but had nothing..... Anyone had any luck out there?

Goodies to get them all!:bigsmurf: Cable and Lama is loaded with gifts!
Its xmas open them!:compress:

Ha! I'm diggin the camo drifter

Im diggin the Neon, bet the Swede never got run over by a car when out stealing hubcaps...

don't you just love my awesome camo boat?? it really brings out the color in my mullet...my buddy thought so too so he pressed up against me

The guy pressin' swede is his wifes sisters brother.

Yeah, it's swede jr.