North 40 Fly Shop eMagazine February 2015 | Page 15

W

e steelheaders begin looking forward to
the spring thaw in the upper 509, when
the fisheries can be amazing.

For many, the Methow, Okanogan,
Wenatchee, and Similkameen Rivers are
thought to be the most lucrative after iceout. The upper Columbia below Wells Dam
is also a favorite hotspot for those who
favor the long rod and the long slow swings
for the brightest of steelhead. Those not
familiar with this area can scramble over
the endless possibilities of where to fish.
When posed the question of where to go,
my answer is always “how do you want
to fish?” Each of these fisheries present
unique opportunities with their own special
challenges.
The Methow is an intimate river which
can run low and clear to high and wild
depending on the weather patterns and
the runoff. Many times the dead drift
presentation beats the swung fly as the
fish have been in the river longer under
more pressure and often seek out the
lowest pools for security. This is not to say
that the inviting glide of a tail out doesn’t
produce in the early mornings and evening
periods. Shop favorites include: Vogt’s Blue
Gentlemen, the Double Bead Stone, the
Pheasant Tail Flashback, Keith’s “Either Or,”
The Hobo Spey, and Foxee Dog. Between
swings the Twisp River Pub offers some of
the best local eats. Be sure to try the sweet
potato fries with the chẻvre and vinaigrette
coupled with a pear cider.
The Okanogan is a generally more
successful in the spring than the fall and
has some of the best “Spey water” in
North Central Washington. Access can be
limited, but those willing to put in the leg
work can be rewarded with some stellar

opportunities. The name of the game is
low and slow. Skagit heads with medium to
heavy sink tips are the go to. Okanogan fish
tend to favor flies in red, orange, and green
butt. The opportunities to nymph are as
plentiful, but some stretches of the upper
Okanogan can be accessed with a drift
boat and can yield healthy numbers of fish
under an indicator. Shop favorites include:
The Signature Intruder, The Pick ‘Yer Pocket,
Hickman’s Fish Taco, Egg Sucking Leaches,
and Johnson’s Lady Gaga. Before you hit
the river, hit up Mickey’s in Omak for some
great early morning sustenance. Be sure to
have Tom whip you up one of his signature
omelets.
The Wenatchee is a wide clear river with
almost endless water. The upper river
above Dryden can fish well either with a
swung fly or dead drift nymphs. The lower
river has some of the best boat access
between Cashmere and Monitor. Wading
can be difficult at times and should be
fished with the assistance of a wading
staff and boot studs. Pay special attention
to the tail outs, where many fish will
congregate—don’t be quick to leave just
because a run produces a fish. Generally
where there is one Wenatchee River fish
there’s another. Shop favorites include:
Trailer Trash, Popsicles, Vokey’s Sugar Pop,
Tube Leeches, Sept’ober Soft Hackle, and
Sept’ober Midnight Fire. When you make it
off the river, a stop by Country Boys BBQ is
a must to replenish those spent calories.
The hotlink and ribs combo is killer.
The Similkameen is at the upper end of the
Okanogan, flowing into it in the town of