Methow River Steelhead

[hairyriverbottom]

I have probably missed the best time to fish the Methow for steelhead but anybody like to share when the better times are to fish this river?  My in-laws have a place over there out of Winthrop and I am trying to plan a trip to head over and fish just try to hit it when it will be decent fishing.

Hairy

[Firstlight]

Prime time is right when it opens, but it is good all fall until it gets too cold over there.
Those fish are fun to catch but I always feel sorry for them coming all that way. Floats and Jigs work killer. Also #4 vibrax in metalic colors will nail them before the water gets to cold. If yer fly flickin articulated leaches on the swing drive them nuts, and nymphing monster stone patterns under an indicator has worked well for me...

Good Luck!!!

There is also a good chance of hooking a monster western slope cut, or a big bull trout this time of year....

[hairyriverbottom]

Thanks for your thoughts Firstlight, I may be over there around the first of the year and if it isn't too cold give it a try. 

[7mmfan]

I've fished it right through new years and into January a few times and have always been able to get a few even when its bitter cold and usually just on a float and jig. They like dark colors in there like blacks and purples are what i've done the best with. Like firstlight said hardware works good too, try swinging a spoon like a 2/5 or 2/3 oz.
Lil' Cleo in gold or silver. You seem to know the drill firstlight you fish it often?

[Firstlight]

Ive put in some hours over their. I like to fish it right when it opens but its normally right when modern rifle opens too. Way to many good places to fish and hunt and to little time...

[boneaddict]

I've put in a few hours there myself.  BWAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA
Fish it until the ice starts flowing.  THen it becomes a pain.  Send me a pm if you want to know specifics and techniques but the opener is when the most fish are in the system.  I am not sure what level of a fisherman you are or if you are a fly guy.   Also usually the opener of hunting season so that just isn't fair.  Its also when the most people are there.  The "elite" fly guys have discovered it, so there isn't an ounce of that river that doesn't get covered.  Winthrop fishing is propbaby best (if it is still open)  in the month of March. Februaruy if its an early spring, which doesn't happen much up there.

[boneaddict]

Then again, if your guide gets his buck opening morning of hunting season, then you can fish....................most fish on the methow are 8-10 pounds but every once in awhile a nice one can be had.

[Firstlight]

8 to 10lb average? are we talkin about the same river? I would say 5-6. Scrappy little fish though. I have only got a couple of them in the 10-12lb range, and alot of them 4-8. I watched my buddie get one about 5 years ago that we guessed 16lbs. Thats the biggest ive seen out of there.

[DeerHarvester]

Haven't fished it yet, but I hear its hear its doing very well right now.  Fished the Columbia yesterday, it was a bit slow.