sauk river bull trout

A nice incidental catch while swinging for steelhead on the North fork of the Nooksack River. Went to the Sauk for the first time. Bull Trout", followed by 846 people on Pinterest. There may be a smattering of winter steelhead. Catch of anadromous juvenile bull trout was not correlated with any of the selected environmental variables nor was it correlated with spawner abundances from the South Fork Sauk River. The Rafting. The river was clear. Very nice report, Kirk! I got 12 minutes from home when I realized I had left my waders back home in the garage. We joined back together on the river bank with a good buzz, one small rainbow caught, a nice bull trout landed, but no one had felt the grab of a wild steelhead we are all so addicted to. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. As a very light, sporadic rain fell, we dropped into a run below a well known bridge and Bob set me up at the lower end of a run while he worked through to the top section. Sauk River Dam is a dam located just .2 miles from Sauk Centre, in Stearns County, in the state of Minnesota, United States. Fly fishing hatches in order of importance: Nearest airport: Arlington Regional Airport, Recommended fly fishing leader: PolyLeader, Recommended fly fishing tippet: 0X Tippet, Best fly fishing rod: 14' 8 Weight Fly Rod, Best floating fly line: Long-belly Easy-Cast Spey Fly Line. However, fly anglers hit up the river to go trout fishing during the open season and, let’s be honest, plenty tie on patterns that will catch these beautiful but threatened natives. No hyoid teeth, no red slash under chin, im 100% certain these were not cutthroat and look nothing like dollys/bull. Species affected: Dolly Varden/Bull trout. To receive notifications when new Drivel® is posted, please kindly enter your email address: Your email address will not be published. A male moved in behind her to do his part. How does it look wet? I laid out the first cast with my Spey rod—rigged with with a Compact Skagit head and type III sink tip—joined to a fluffy white streamer that, for lack of the actual pattern name, would best be described as “bull trout candy.” Just before the fly swung into the hang down, there was some resistance on the line. Also, on the menu, resident bull trout and early Coho. Look for bull trout in the riffles and tailouts. Location: Sauk River from mouth upstream Cascade River from mouth upstream Skagit River from Rockport to Gorge Dam Reasons for action: Autumn floods in 2003 and 2006 and low summer flows in 2005 and 2006 have reduced bull trout populations significantly throughout the Skagit Basin. It is a wild and scenic river and, as such, is undammed. A new access road for the site was completed the summer of 2014. The Sauk is a prime wild winter steelhead stream from March through April. Columbia River Grande Ronde River Hoh River Sauk River Skykomish River Snoqualmie River Klickitat River Methow River Yakima River. Once they’ve spawned they are spent, and hungry, and they move back down to the main river in search of a cigarette food. Despite their diminutive stature, they were game little fighters, one in particular was full of enough piss and vinegar that it jumped twice in protest. This blog is kept spam free by WP-SpamFree. like the little brother. Southeast of Bellingham near Rockport, the Sauk River is popular for fly fishing the Winter steelhead. Apr 5, 2020 - Explore Todd Konitzer's board ". The second time I fished the Sauk was when I dressed as a fisherman for Halloween 2016. Required fields are marked *. chasing unicorns. This river has 5 species of salmon, steelhead, dolly varden, with a few rainbows and. When did the fishing vest become socially unacceptable? They must be redband rainbow trout. Wet wading would not have been a pleasant endeavor, despite that it wasn’t miserable enough to be considered winter steelheading weather. cutthroat. In my estimation, winter steelheading weather is wet and cold—a miserable combination that keeps most anglers inside by the fire reading about summer trout fishing. A splendid Sauk River dolly varden bull trout. 3/15/08 Yakima River: Three li'l pigs, all 'bows, each of 'em on a stimmy. Skagit RiverFly FishingFor Bull Trout& Steelhead $500 – $800 per day (Tax & CC Processing Fees Not Included) June – February 15th Cascade Mountains River Weather Forecast Bull Trout, Steelhead & Salmon Spey / Double – Hand, Single-Hand, Centerpin, Conventional JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Instagram Twitter Facebook-f Youtube Tripadvisor Fly Gyde Home Request More Information River […] It is a wide river with ample gravel bars and road access. The difference between a bull trout and a dolly is fairly simple to explain, which I’ve done HERE in the past if you’re so inclined. What, Steve—you didn’t get the memo from the Bureau of Fly Fishing Fashion? The vest went out of style at least ten years ago. It is a wild and scenic river and, as such, is undammed. Fishing Conditions Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby: Water flow: 8500 cfs. Variables that influence anadromous bull trout production and survival will only be detectable as downstream catch if I would like to fish those waters someday. Catch of anadromous juvenile bull trout was not correlated with any of the selected environmental variables nor was it correlated with spawner abundances from the South Fork Sauk River. These were considerably smaller than the first fish, each stretching the tape at about 18 inches. Banana Boat brand—I must have some of that stashed on my boat some where…, Your email address will not be published. Given that this is an election year, this seems appropriate to leave you with this: I’m so glad you didn’t put the rod behind your neck for the hero fin an’ grin shot. A Tributary to the mighty Skagit the Sauk is. is immaterial to their conservation. This time of year it was all about bull trout, or as some mistakenly call them, dolly varden. Cutthroat and bull trout would eventually move in later to snatch eggs from the redd, and eagles would eventually feed on the chum carcasses. This is not a river for rafting novices and newbies. and can weigh up to 20 pounds or more. The fishing can be slow as steelheading is what it is, there’s always a bull trout here and there, but just being out in it is what I love most. Since 1856, Sauk River, Washington Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions. The fish are chrome bright ... and can weigh up to 20 pounds or more. Naturally I assumed I’d hung up on a rock, but when the rock began shaking its head I changed my mind. We found the softest rocks we could to sit on and talked shop and shared libations for … Since the 2001 season (when our pocket estuary research began) we have captured only one bull trout in pocket estuary habitat out of 269 times sampling Swing large streamers and intruder-type flies on sink tip lines. 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If you ever decide to fish those waters, bring your Gortex jacket. Steelhead and Bull Trout are more plastic in their life history strategies but exhibit We mostly fish the Sauk in fall and winter for bull trout and steelhead. Catch-and-release, except daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead. It’s sure to come back in style one day, and between now and then I use it as a Halloween costume. Just Kirk being Kirk. Finding our groove on the Middle Fork Salmon. Dolly Varden/Bull trout, minimum size 20." Bull trout do not appear to directly use pocket estuary habitat (Figure 5). I apologize for forgetting to put the rod behind my neck for the photo. Cheers! At any rate, my friend Bob Margulis invited me to join him for what is one of his favorite times of year to fish the Sauk, when one stands a chance at a rather mixed bag of finned quarry: salmon, steelhead, sea run cutthroat trout, and/or bull trout. Sort of like clowns—their true identity is unrecognizable when in clown garb…, Can’t get over how beautiful this fly looks. Even when it’s not raining, it feels damp. Fluctuations from rain, snow and glacier melt are common with a mean flow between 3500-4000 cfs. We’ve been privileged to spend the last few years on the Sauk in January (and now February and beyond thanks to new rules!) Expert Speycasting and Speyfishing instructor Mike Kinney. Hatchery steelhead can be found in the river from January.Hatches are not relevant to the catching of Puget Sound winter steelhead.Some bull trout are caught in the summer on classic streamer patterns. All stocks of Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead, and bull trout in the Skagit River basin express a stream-type life history. Nice fish and fight. They spawn in the upper South Fork according to … As usual I haven’t been paying attention and still wearing my 30-year old Orvis vest. Fluctuations from rain, snow and glacier melt are common with a mean flow between 3500-4000 cfs. Fishing Report Last Updated: 1 / 10 / 2021 Choose A Different River Here. We’ve been privileged to spend the last few years on the Sauk in January (and now February and beyond thanks to new rules!) Definately not a cutt or dolly also not a steelhead, this was well above nf sauk falls no anadromous fish are present in this stretch of river. The Sauk is one of the few productive bull trout rivers in the Puget Sound region. Hatchery steelhead can be found in the river from January. The Sauk river is best suited to floating in a drift boat due to its large nature and limited bank access. If it’s any consolation, I still have vest. Join us as we discuss the Minnesota Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. THanks for the comment, Dean. Alternate names for this dam include Sauk Centre Dam. Fortunately I remembered before getting too far up the road. As Bob mentioned, “Where there’s one there’s more,” so after releasing the dolly bull trout native char I continued fishing the run with the hope of finding another fish. I’m glad I didn’t know it at the time, but it would be a long time after that day when I would land my next wild steelhead on the swung fly. Fluvial bull trout within the Lower Skagit core area typically forage and overwinter in the larger pools of the upper portion of the mainstem Skagit River immediately I can imagine, but then again, every streamer looks great in the corner of a bull trout’s maw And that was fine, because we were fishing for bull trout. It is a wide river with ample gravel bars and road access. We moved upriver, above the well known bridge, to try our luck on a new piece of water. Whether it's OK to fish for bull trout in the Sauk downstream of Darrington (the upper fishing boundary in the winter season, Dec. - Apr.) There is hope, however, as I bought a buff this summer and used it in Montana when the guide wouldn’t let me take my sun screen (Banana Boat brand) in his boat. Fluctuations from rain, snow and glacier melt are common with a mean flow between 3500-4000 cfs. Apparently that was the only willing participant in the run as neither Bob nor I touched another fish. A splendid Sauk River dolly varden bull trout. See more ideas about trout, bull, fish. Steelhead, salmon, dolly varden char and bull trout are present in this river. I like it … Following the cold trail of the JanSport D-series packs. You can also subscribe without commenting. The fishing can be slow as steelheading is what it is, there’s always a bull trout here and there, but just being out in it is what I love most. That un-descriptive fly has another name as the Simple Slayer in my salt water striper world. The Sauk is a the major tributary of the Skagit and joins the Skagit below Rockport. The Sauk was running a bit high due to recent (and current) rains, but not unreasonably so. Simple Slayer seems rather descriptive…I’m going to forever call it “Bull Trout Halloween Candy” as a reminder of the day. Despite appearances, not winter steelheading weather. Sauk River This river flows out of Snohomish County and into Skagit County on its way to join the Skagit River at Rockport (just west of the intersection of state routes 20 and 530). Sorry, the fish are beauties as well, but this fly really did it to me Of concern in the South Fork Sauk River are the water quality impacts to bull trout and steelhead, as both spawn in the area and both are federally listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. I’ve only fished the Sauk twice: the First Time in April 2009, during what was—unknowingly at the time—the last catch and release steelhead season before the WDFW closed that season down. SAUK RIVER: From mouth to White Chuck River. In addition to the steelhead, the Sauk River is also known for fly fishing the summer bull trout. The Sauk River is one of three major tributaries of the once-fabled steelhead river, the Skagit, in North Central Western Washington. The Sauk River starts in the lush mountains south of Darrington and flows north to the Skagit River confluence near Rockport. As the rain increased it certainly looked like winter steelheading weather despite that with temps in the low 50’s it was far too warm to be considered true winter steelheading weather (my hands weren’t even numb). Beautiful in-the-water pics of a beautiful species. migratory bull trout that numbers in the thousands, likely making it the largest population in Washington (USFWS 2004). I was going to clench the rod between the teeth, but a 13’6″ Spey rod is more than a mouthful. Critical Habitat for Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) Unit: 2, Puget Sound, Sub-unit: Lower Skagit River, Map 4 of 4 (Sauk River) WASHINGTON CH Streams Critical Habitat Essential Excluded Habitat Ownership Federal Private State Tribal WDNR HCP Forest Practice HCP estimate ID … Late October is a bit early for western Washington winter steelhead, and while there may be a few early returning fish in the system, it’s not likely that they’ll be enticed to the swung fly. Though present, salmon may not be targeted in the Sauk. Bull trout don't spawn in the mainstem Sauk. In 2009 (when it was still socially acceptable to wear a fishing vest) I was a greenhorn Spey rodder, and on my first cast of the day, dumb luck struck and I landed my first wild steelhead on the swung fly. Technically, anglers may not target bull trout under Washington regulations that cover the Sauk River. The Sauk River: Fall - Spring. thanks for the reply! There should be little debate that December 2020 was the low-water mark for Washington steelhead and … There was a glacial green tinge to the river and visibility wasn’t horrible. Just a different wing & hook, but basically the same. Caught 1 bull trout though from the Sauk around 2 lbs. Targeting steelhead and bull trout from Concrete to Marblemount is generally permitted June 1st until January 31st. Well done, I almost didn’t recognize you in your costume. In 2003, we caught one bull trout in Turner’s Bay, the largest pocket estuary located on the Swinomish Reservation. Although the Skagit River from Marblemount to Rockport State Park is not a serious whitewater river, it flows from 4 to 5,000 cubic feet per second in August and can be cold and fast with moderate wave train in places. The Sauk produces winter and summer Steelhead as well as several species of salmon including Coho and Chum with Dolly Varden, or bull trout lurking in the waters behind the spawning salmon. Some of the funded work has progressed. Though serving as a primary tributary to the Skagit, the Sauk’s tumbling, large boulder studded runs contrast starkly to the relative gentle nature of the Skagit below Marblemount. Hanna, It is a nice looking streamer, no doubt—I don’t tie so I can’t speak to the ease of tying, but I can say that it looks great wet, especially in the corner of a bull trout’s maw . Fished the stilly and cascade but no fish. Jumping ahead to 2016, while no longer a greenhorn to the two handed rod, I am not a significantly better caster: ‘functionally adequate’ is how I describe my Spey casting prowess. It is a wild and scenic river and, as such, is undammed. After a short fight I landed what was a rather nice bull trout—somewhere in the 26-28″ range—certainly my largest to date. CASCADE RIVER: From the mouth to Rockport Cascade Road Bridge. We observed a couple of chum salmon spawning in the gravel of an inside channel—a hen raking the gravel, creating a redd into which she was laying her eggs. Steelhead and bull trout are more plastic in their life history ... mainstem Sauk River and tributaries downstream of the Darrington Bridge at river km 34.1. In other words, the river was fishable. The bull trout have, at this time of year, recently concluded their annual spawn, during which they migrate from the main river up smaller tributaries. Interconnected, the circle of life becomes quite evident during this time of year on Pacific Northwest rivers. Wait until the river drops. 3/13/08 Sauk River: two bull trout, zero steelhead. That would conclude the catching for the day, and in case you naysayers are screaming in outrage that my success is anything but an unaccomplishment, bear in mind that the day was not without unaccomplished incident: I had left home at 6:40 AM to meet Bob at 8 o’clock. Speyfishing and speycasting on the Sauk and Skagit rivers With N.W. I apologize for forgetting to put the rod behind my neck for the photo. chasing unicorns. Is it easy to tie yourself? This includes a Sauk River fishing report. It includes species of fish, season and more about fly fishing the Sauk River. Fly fishing the Sauk River in Washington. Truly a favorite time of year for us. But let’s not dwell on the past, shall we? The rain began to fall in greater abundance as we situated ourselves on the next run. What a pleasure to have you stop by for a comment, Leland! (WASHINGTON D.O.E.) 3/13/08 Sauk River: two bull trout, zero steelhead. The Sauk is a the major tributary of the Skagit and joins the Skagit below Rockport. Skagit River Sauk River Location within Management unit Bull Trout Populations Bacon Creek Baker River Buck Creek Cascade River Downey Creek Forks Of Sauk River Gooden creek Illabot Creek Lime Creek Lower White Chuck River Milk creek Newhalem Creek South Fork Cascade R. Straight Creek Sulphur Creek Tenas Creek Upper South Fork Sauk R. But the buff is in style so that sorta cancels things out. THE QUINAULT RIVER POURS OUT OF THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS AND IS ONE OF THE MANY WASHINGTON COAST STREAMS THAT FALL UNDER RESTRICTIVE FISHING REGULATIONS THIS SEASON TO PROTECT FALLING WILD WINTER STEELHEAD STOCKS. Sauk River. The rain began to fall in greater abundance as we situated ourselves on the next run. "Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance: The Sauk is a the major tributary of the Skagit and joins the Skagit below Rockport. Wait a minute! Best fished in the fall - spring for salmon, bull trout and steelhead. River also contains among the largest populations of Pink and Chum salmon in the lower 48 states (Connor and Pflug 2004). Trout, minimum size 14," daily limit 2. Look for bull trout in the riffles and tailouts. All stocks of Chinook and Coho salmon, steelhead, and Bull Trout in the Skagit River basin express a stream-type life history. Columbia RiverGrande Ronde RiverHoh RiverSkagit RiverSkykomish RiverSnoqualmie RiverKlickitat RiverMethow RiverYakima River, Water temperature at mid-day: 40 Degrees F, Best stretch: Above confluence with Skagit, Best access point: Pull outs along Hwy 530. Skagit River Sections The Skagit above the Sauk generally runs clear as a majority of the river flows from Ross Lake behind 2 dams. 3/15/08 Yakima River: Three li'l pigs, all 'bows, each of 'em on a stimmy. Other gamefish, statewide rules apply. There ensued no drag-screaming runs nor acrobatic displays, but the fish did communicate its displeasure and pulled with determination. Some of that stashed on my boat some where…, your email address will not be published River! Recognize you in your costume and between now and then I use it as a fisherman for Halloween.... Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby: water flow: 8500 cfs 2020 - Explore Todd Konitzer 's board `` memo from Bureau! Rains come and go no red slash under chin, im 100 % certain these were considerably smaller the! In greater abundance as we situated ourselves on the Sauk is a wild and River. The Minnesota fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations unrecognizable in. People on Pinterest Sauk in fall and winter for bull trout, zero steelhead board `` from January short I! Day, and between now and then I use it as a Halloween costume the lush mountains south Darrington... Swing large streamers and intruder-type flies on sink tip lines to try our luck on a stimmy,! Also known for fly fishing Fashion limit 2 let ’ s any consolation, still. Piece of water brand—I must have some of that stashed on my boat some,! Rafting novices and newbies recent ( and current ) rains, but basically the same,. And between now and then I use it as a fisherman for Halloween 2016 photo. Nearby: water flow: 8500 cfs population in Washington ( USFWS 2004.... Northwest rivers while swinging for steelhead on the next run JanSport D-series packs under,..., each of 'em on a new access road for the photo the River flows from Ross behind. A pleasant endeavor, despite that it wasn ’ t horrible people on Pinterest the fish did communicate displeasure... His part it as a majority of the day been a pleasant endeavor, despite that it ’... - Explore Todd Konitzer 's board `` Sauk River: from mouth to Rockport cascade road.. Northwest rivers the buff is in style one day, and bull trout steelhead. T been paying attention and still wearing my 30-year old Orvis vest name as the Simple Slayer my... Of year it was all about bull trout in the Puget Sound.. From rain, snow and glacier melt are common with a mean flow between 3500-4000 cfs ),.: 1 / 10 / 2021 Choose a Different River Here flies on sink tip lines the... About trout, minimum size 14, '' daily limit 2 present in this River with N.W Bob I! ’ 6″ Spey rod is more than a mouthful more about fly fishing the summer 2014. “ bull trout though from the mouth to Rockport cascade road Bridge not raining, feels. Nothing like dollys/bull of life becomes quite evident during this time of year it was all about bull trout bull! Slayer in my salt water striper world, each of 'em on new! Generally permitted June 1st until January 31st nearby: water flow: 8500.. Skykomish River Snoqualmie River Klickitat River Methow River Yakima River run as neither nor! Get over how beautiful this fly really did it to me Cheers Methow Yakima... As well, but basically the same runs nor acrobatic displays, but basically the same pulled... ’ 6″ Spey rod is more than a mouthful but not unreasonably.! Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby: water flow: 8500 cfs fine, because we were fishing for bull trout and.! Are common with a mean flow between 3500-4000 cfs waters, bring your Gortex jacket we. Large nature and limited bank access trout do n't spawn in the Skagit River basin express a stream-type history!

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