Anyone fished the Skagit recently?

[bobbyg123]

We're camping on the Skagit this weekend, and while I know it's a few days before the start of salmon season, I was wondering if there's anything else running right now that I can legally go for? I'm catch and release only, so if I "accidentally" hook a salmon, oh well.... Seriously though, are there any steelies, DV, trout, or anything else worth fishing for on the Skagit up by Concrete, WA this weekend. Thanks in advance.

[racfish]

The only stream up north off the Skagit was the Soiattle (sp). I thought or it was closed to fishing as of last week.The soiattle is open for 2 Dollies over 20" are keepable.

[curado]

rac do u mean the sauk. then the suiattle off of hwy 530 are both open for catch and release except 2 hatchery steelhead can be retained in the sauk and in the suiattle 1 20+ in dolly can be retained. selective gear rules.

[Anonymous]

Thanks bro for the correction. I know a guy who fishes the Suiattle but I dont know how legal he fishes. He asks me to go with him but I dont like fishing with peeps that make their own rules.Thanks again John.Not the Sauk but the Suiattle.

[bobbyg123]

I should have clarified better where we'll be. I'll be fishing at or around Rasar State Park. Not sure what part of the Skagit River that is, but hopefully the park ranger knows whether or not I can fish there.

[curado]

i know exactly where you are staying. u are about 25 mins fro the sauk and suiattle. so the main stream of the skagit would be best

[rseas]

Although you can not retain them or for that matter even target them the Skagit is chock full of chinook right now. That section of river is also open as follows; trout (must be over 14” and daily limit of two fish), dolly varden (must be over 20” and daily limit is two fish and they are considered part of your daily trout limit), all other game fish are catch and release only, except you may retain two steelhead. I believe that that section of river is under selective gear rules, which basically means no bait or scents and you must use single point barbless hooks. All that said check the WDFW regulations before you go.

It is a bit of a hike from the campground to the river but worth it when you get there. It should not be crowded and there are some very good drifts within Razor State Park. All species can be caught using standard drift gear, float and a jig and hardware. One drift is especially well suited for spoon fishing. Hey good luck and you will really like Razor SP.

[bobbyg123]

Thanks rseas. That's what I had hoped to hear. I "assume" that since I'm not keeping anything, as long as I adhere to the selective gear rules, I should be OK. I'll check with the Park Ranger, but it should be a go. I didn't know you could drift there. Interesting. I may have to give it a go. I've got a lot of spoons to donate to the bottom of the river too. Regarding the selective gear rules, is it considered "bait" to use artificial egg sacks with miscellaneous winged drifty bobbers and corkies? I can just as easily go with corkies and beads, but I like my fake egg clusters.

[CRW]

Thanks rseas. That's what I had hoped to hear. I "assume" that since I'm not keeping anything, as long as I adhere to the selective gear rules, I should be OK. I'll check with the Park Ranger, but it should be a go. I didn't know you could drift there. Interesting. I may have to give it a go. I've got a lot of spoons to donate to the bottom of the river too. Regarding the selective gear rules, is it considered "bait" to use artificial egg sacks with miscellaneous winged drifty bobbers and corkies? I can just as easily go with corkies and beads, but I like my fake egg clusters.

As long as they don't have scent your ok.

I would suggest opening the reg book, the only selective gear rules I see don't start until Feb 16th, some of the tribs do .

Unless I missed something , the only rule in effect is the Anti-Snagging rule.

[rseas]

Thanks rseas. That's what I had hoped to hear. I "assume" that since I'm not keeping anything, as long as I adhere to the selective gear rules, I should be OK. I'll check with the Park Ranger, but it should be a go. I didn't know you could drift there. Interesting. I may have to give it a go. I've got a lot of spoons to donate to the bottom of the river too. Regarding the selective gear rules, is it considered "bait" to use artificial egg sacks with miscellaneous winged drifty bobbers and corkies? I can just as easily go with corkies and beads, but I like my fake egg clusters.

As long as they don't have scent your ok.

I would suggest opening the reg book, the only selective gear rules I see don't start until Feb 16th, some of the tribs do .

Unless I missed something , the only rule in effect is the Anti-Snagging rule.

Whoops and thank you, I stand corrected, the selective gear rules are in effect from February 16-March 15. Also salmon fishing (for coho retention) in that section of the river opens on September 16th.

[rseas]

Thanks rseas. That's what I had hoped to hear. I "assume" that since I'm not keeping anything, as long as I adhere to the selective gear rules, I should be OK. I'll check with the Park Ranger, but it should be a go. I didn't know you could drift there. Interesting. I may have to give it a go. I've got a lot of spoons to donate to the bottom of the river too. Regarding the selective gear rules, is it considered "bait" to use artificial egg sacks with miscellaneous winged drifty bobbers and corkies? I can just as easily go with corkies and beads, but I like my fake egg clusters.

As long as they don't have scent your ok.

I would suggest opening the reg book, the only selective gear rules I see don't start until Feb 16th, some of the tribs do .

Unless I missed something , the only rule in effect is the Anti-Snagging rule.

Whoops and thank you, I stand corrected, the selective gear rules are in effect from February 16-March 15. Also salmon fishing (for coho retention) in that section of the river opens on September 16th.

[bobbyg123]

Regarding Steelhead and Chinook, if the selective gear rules aren't in effect, what do you guys suggest I consider for tipping my drifts with? I'm thinking eggs and scent, as I don't like to deal with a bunch of messy bait anyway.

[Matt]

I like to use live sand shrimp. Use the whole thing under a drift bobber with a dead weight to get the bait down to where the fish are. For the deep holes run a beau mac slip rig, shallower stuff run a dink style fixed float.

There are likely steelhead still in that system as well as dollies.

Good luck.