Sauk River Steelhead

[ridgefire]

I am planning on floating the Sauk with the pontoon one of these weekends and I know nothing about the river. Do any of you have any info on this river as far as hazard areas that I should be looking for? Is the river difficult to navigate? I have floated the Sky, Sol Duc, Hoh, Bogachiel and the Wilson rivers in my pontoon so I have some experience on the oars. Bad idea or plenty doable? Thanks.

[boneaddict]

Its been awhile, but seems like there would be alot of sweeps and wood hazards especially above  Suiattle.   I dont know where you intend to drift.    Maybe things have changed. 

[Smokepole]

Floating the Sauk can be anywhere from a pleasant drift to a death wish this time of year - depending on how high the water is.  I have floated it a few times by canoe, but only in the summer.  The logjams and sweepers seem to change every year, and can be uncertain hazards.  The entire river has a lot of gradient with long drifts connected by rapids.  Most winter steelhead fishermen float the Sauk during extended cold weather periods, when the water level is low and the channel is better defined.  I have seen pontoon boats drifting during low water.   

[Boss .300 winmag]

I’m on the Skagit down stream of the Sauk. The water is high here now with an atmospheric river coming in tonight thru Thursday. This weekend won’t be good, unless you have a death wish.🤣

[Boss .300 winmag]

This might help you some.

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=sew&gage=sakw1

[h2ofowlr]

Wear a life preserver and have an additional floatation device near by.  Make sure you have your Will filled out just incase the float doesn't go in your favor.

[7mmfan]

I have floated it a couple times this year already. Feel free to PM me, I'll fill you in. In general though, Darrington to the Suiattle is small, channelized in some areas, no blockages but tight with plenty of obstacles. Suiattle to the Government Bridge is wide open, with one channel split that has some waves on either channel, but is very navigable. From Government Bridge down into the Skagit the river is quite braided in some areas, lots of wood, but no blockages. Pay attention and you'll be fine.

[boneaddict]

I seem to remember targeting it at 1200 cf, and I looked and it’s running over 3000 at the moment.  Again, it’s been awhile but I think that’s what I watched for.

[X-Force]

The river should be in shape by this weekend and being a free flowing stream each high water changes the river at least a little bit. Floats should be pretty straight forward under 3500 at the gage below the Suiattle.

Last year swinging flies I was 0 for 30+ days… watched a bunch of other guys be successful. Previously 2100-3200 cfs was my sweet spot with water between 37-42 degrees.

Every day you will have a bunch of people on the river if it’s not blown out… last year I counted 22 boats between hippie hole and the skagit while I was wading between 10 am and dark.

[ridgefire]

Thanks for the response’s.

[steeleywhopper]

Well how did it go? Did you survive the mighty Sauk?

[ridgefire]

I have not make it up there yet but I’m hoping to float it next weekend if it’s in decent shape. Do any of you have any reports from this season?

[X-Force]

We did a couple trips this week… swinging flys, no steelhead yet.

[ridgefire]

We are heading up to float from Darrington to the highway 530 bridge. 5 of us will be floating in our pontoons. Any reports on the river?

[Knocker of rocks]

Tell us how it went. Sounds sporty