Washington Steelhead Fishing
New un-official Washington State record wild steelhead caught by Dave Hambright while fishing with John on March 15th, 2005. Estimated weight at 35.6 pounds! Washington State steelhead fly and gear fishing trips in Northwest Washington with John's Guide Service for wild and hatchery steelhead on Washington's Skagit, Sauk, Skykomish, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, Hoh, Bogachiel, Sol Duc and Clearwater Rivers.

The Steelhead is the most sought-after fish in the entire Northwest and it's no mystery why. This anadromous rainbow trout is one of the hardest fighting fish around, and also one of the most challenging to catch. There's a reason for the old Northwest saying 10% of the Steelheaders catch 90% of the fish. These acrobatic fish represent the pinnacle of many a fisherman's time on Northwest waters.

Breaking the water's surface with the tell-tale Steelhead roll, these majestic fish buckle rods and send adrenaline coursing through even the most jaded angler's heart. With just one hit, you'll be a Steelhead junkie for life.
Seen a lot here on my site...my best friend and fellow guide Bill Meyer with a dandy Sauk River Steelhead. Washington State steelhead fly and gear fishing trips in Northwest Washington with John's Guide Service for wild and hatchery steelhead on Washington's Skagit, Sauk, Skykomish, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, Hoh, Bogachiel, Sol Duc and Clearwater Rivers.

So how do you get your fix?

Steelhead can be found in our Northwest rivers most of the year, but knowing the timing of the runs, traveling lanes and holding spots, along with which gear and techniques to use, can make the difference between fishing and catching.

Beginning in January, John guides the peak of our hatchery Steelhead run on the Skagit River System and other Puget Sound area rivers. Hatchery Steelhead make delicious table fare, averaging between 6 - 12 pounds. Each angler is allowed a daily limit of two fish.

This time of year also signifies the start of our wild Steelhead run. With fish averaging 10-14 pounds it is not uncommon to see fish in the high teens and even 20 plus pound range.

February offers some high quality fishing for trophy-class wild Steelhead, with some fish tipping the scales in the mid to upper twenties.

March, or as it's better known by Steelheaders as "March Madness", offers the angler trophy-steelheading opportunities unsurpassed anywhere in the world. These much sought-after Steelhead average 12-16 pounds with many in the 20 pound plus class. The beginning of April usually signifies the peak of our Wild Steelhead run and many of these monster fish are landed every day.

June, July and early August signify the return of our summer run Steelhead. These fish are usually more aggressive and acrobatic than their winter run relatives due to warmer water temperatures. These hatchery run steelhead also make for great table fare, averaging 6-12 pounds.

In November and on through the end of the year John is fishing the returning winter run Steelhead right along with our fall Salmon.

Ryan Mifflin with his first ever steelhead...and a limit to boot!. Washington State steelhead fly and gear fishing trips in Northwest Washington with John's Guide Service for wild and hatchery steelhead on Washington's Skagit, Sauk, Skykomish, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, Hoh, Bogachiel, Sol Duc and Clearwater Rivers.

To figure out the weight of a fish from measurements taken try out our Fish Calculator:

All you need is the length of your fish and the girth of your fish, and then type the values in the boxes provided below. GIVE IT A TRY!!

How long was your fish (in inches)? Tip of nose to center of tail


What was the girth of your fish (in inches)? Just in front of dorsal fin



Your fish weighed:

This is merely an approximation using a formula devised by the Fish and Wildlife Department from fish that were, weighed and measured.
A Quality Northwest Operated Guide Service Offering - Guided Gear and Fly Fishing Trips for Salmon and Steelhead in Washington and Alaska - Guided Hunts in the Seattle Washington Area - Washington North Puget Sound Area River Guides on the Skagit & Sauk as well as the Olympic Peninsula.
Washington State steelhead fly and gear fishing trips in Northwest Washington with John's Guide Service for wild and hatchery steelhead on Washington's Skagit, Sauk, Skykomish, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, Hoh, Bogachiel, Sol Duc and Clearwater Rivers.

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