Methow River Steelhead Fly Fishing Tour

"Out of the water he rose like a rocket.....out and out, and still there was more to him, no end to him. More bird than fish he seemed as he hovered above the water, his spots and spangles patterned like plumage. I half expected to see his sides unfold and spread in flight, as though , like the insect he fed upon, he had undergone metamorphosis and hatched. His gleaming wetness gave an iridescent glaze to him, and as he rose into the sunshine his multitudinous markings sparkled as though he were studded with jewels." William Humphrey

The Methow Valley located in North Central Washington is and continues to be one of the best kept secrets in the entire Pacific Northwest. With a mirad of outdoor activities to choose from, the Methow Valley has served as a sportsmen's paradise for Washingtonians for decades now. Just one of the many activities practiced in the Methow Valley is fly fishing for Summer Run Steelhead on the pristine, Methow River.

With classic riffle and bolder strewn run after classic run, the Methow River is truly a Steel-heading paradise. This magnificent river affords fly fishermen of every skill level the distinct opportunity to swinging flies, fish heavily weighted wet flies and nymphs or skate and wake dry flies for the most sought after game fish in the world, the Pacific Northwest Steelhead.

The Methow River originates high in the North Cascades Mountain Range and meanders through six major vegetation zones with precipitation ranging from 100 inches to 10 inches a year. The Methow dashes, darts cutting its way over eons of time across large river rock boulders as mountain snows thaw during the warming months of spring.

Eventually, the Methow converges with the mother of all steelhead rivers , the Columbia River at the small town of Pateros, Washington. Salmon and steelhead returning to the Methow system must navigate over 500 miles upriver from the salty waters of the Pacific Ocean, while breaching 9 mainstream Columbia River dam passages. A phenomenal feat of nature in its own right.

Methow River Information
	Steelhead season begins each year when wild fish escapement and spawning goals are met. The Methow steelhead season will commence under a "emergency opening usually the first week of October each year. The Methow River remains open throughout the winter, until the last day of March.

	Wild and hatchery origin fish are present throughout the season.

	Bonneville Dam Steelhead Counts
	Methow Steelhead Gallery

Washington States-Methow River

In their life time, these magnificent pacific ocean going fish breach these man made obstacles twice. Once on their way to the ocean, and again on their return to the Methow River. Here salmon and some steelhead will perform their last living passage, the spawning ritual. Many steelhead will survive after the spring spawn and once again journey down river to the open waters of the Pacific. They will return once again to the Methow River system with added girth and size to spawn once again in the fresh waters of the river.

Surrounded by farm land, timber and bushy, green meadows, the Methow River is truly a fly fishing paradise, running clean and clear for much of the season. Remaining relatively wild, it is not uncommon to see numerous mule deer feeding along the river or road, eagles and osprey picking at a decaying salmon carcass or the occasional wild turkey sighting. Experience this wild life adventure while you cast flies for some of Washington States finest steelhead east of the Cascades Mountain Range.

The Methow River steelhead are a summer run species that enter the Columbia river between the months of June and July. Typically they make their way up river in force during the first couple weeks of September. This however, is dependant solely on the amount of water in both the Columbia and Methow River systems. With high water flow, fish tend to arrive early to the system. During periods of low water and a warm Columbia River watershed, steelhead movements will slow until water conditions improve. Once flows increase and water temperatures recede, steelhead resume their up stream travels.

Upon their arrival to the Methow, these strong, resilient Steelhead navigate roughly 35 miles of water way to the Winthrop National Fish Hatchery in Winthrop. It is during this movement, between the mouth of the Columbia and the hatchery that we are able to target these majestic fish in one of many quintessential runs that dot the Methow River system.

Low returning Steelhead numbers in the mid nineties, prompted an indefinite closure of all sport fishing for salmon and steelhead in the Methow River as well as many other Upper Columbia River tributaries. Since that time, the returning numbers of Steelhead has steadily risen in the Upper Columbia River, due in part to an intensive hatchery rearing program spearheaded by several local, state and private fisheries agencies.

In September of 2002, a “special emergency” opening for catch and release fishing was prompted on the Methow River. To say fishing was good is the understatement of the decade with anglers catching almost unheard of numbers of steelhead on a daily basis. Since then, the steelhead numbers have continued to grow, prompting special openings each year in October for steelhead on the Methow system.

Each year we eagerly anticipate the opening of the Methow River, generally during the first few days of October.

Methow Guided Tour Details

Cost:

$475.00 per day

One or two fly fishermen.

Flies Provided For Each Guest

Deli Lunch For Each Guest

Gear And Equipment Is Available

The Worley Bugger guide team attacks the Methow differently than some, opting not for a boat, but for a vehicle. It’s our belief that it is better to have the option to access the entire 35 miles of fishable river as opposed to roughly only 8 to 10 miles in a drift boat, raft or pontoon style boat. By October flows are generally low in the Methow and you will spend more time fighting the rocks and low water then you will with a steelhead. Having the ability to travel up or down the road in warm, comfortable vehicle is a much more productive way to fish this river this time of year.

	Jewels Of The Methow River

Anyone who has fished the Methow before knows that at times the fish are in the lower river, sometimes holding in the upper portions, and many days they are in both the upper and lower portions of river. Either way we will be prepared to fish the Methow River with maximum versatility. Utilizing the entire river instead of one specific section of water increase the chances of hooking up and landing a magnificent Methow River Steelhead.

If you would like to experience this incredible river for yourself, please contact us well in advanced to insure your day of fishing. A representative of Worley Bugger Fly Co. will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have. 888-950-FISH

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