John’s Guide Service Fishing & Hunting Blog

A special “Thank You” to all of our guests who joined us this past year! I would like to say the 2006 season was one of the most enjoyable seasons I’ve ever had. This would not have been possible without your support.

On behalf of John’s Guide Service “Thank You” for all of your comments, suggestions, and praise, for your laughter, your kindness and your spirit. We consider you all part of our John’s Guide Service family and look forward to seeing you again in the New Year!

Still have a few openings for Winter Steelhead here on the Skagit through the end of April !! To reserve a date give us a ring or drop us an e-mail!

Here’s some more pics for you from this past week ending out our year here on the Skagit:

Russel with his first ever Steelhead… and a limit at that! Great job Russel!

Gary and Tad with a nice limit of Winter Steelhead. Look forward to seeing you guys again in 2007!

Paul and his son with a nice Winter Run Steelhead. Great time guys!

Doug with a nice 3 salt Steelhead! Had a great time today guys… look forward to doing it again soon!

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL!!

John’s New Years resolutions:
1. To quit Chewing
2. To keep more up to date with the Reports page and my Blog.
3. To make our 2007 season the best ever!!

:-) Merry Christmas and Happy Festivous to All !! :-)

Last Blog post here till’ after Christmas!

December 22nd 2006:

What a day to end with before the Christmas Holiday weekend!!

We were joined today by Mike and Gang for yet another fun filled day on the Skagit River…. full of suprises!! (You guys are always a hoot to fish with!!… even if you guys are a little hard on the parts! 53 leaders today… OUCH!! )
Still with multiple hook-ups and a great time had all day long I very much look forward to seeing you guys again!! Thanks for a fun day guys!!

First time ever seen by me was when Bubba’s cast went into the trees and he clamped down to break the line and the lead came back like a bullet and went through the rain pants borrowed from Big Mike! Holly Shiznit!! Better the leg of the rain pants than the Groin :-0 !! ( lead was actually inside the pant leg of the rain pants)

Jake, I’m glad ya made it today and glad your baby girl made it through her surgery. May everyone who reads this Blog keep her in their prayers this Holiday Season!!

Today’s Catch:

Mikey, Jake, Bubba and Big Mike with a nice batch of Winter Steelhead for Christmas Dinner.

Been some more crazy weather here since our last report, including a major wind storm that knocked our power out for another few days… Been back at it again on the river since Tuesday though and we’ve been seeing some more Winter Steel!

Tuesday December 19th:

Joined today by Jeff and his crew for another great day on the water! (Actually every day on the water this season has been a great one… just been nice to be able to get out between storms.) We had a nice push of Steelies come through here on Tuesday producing multiple hook-ups and a few nice keepers to take home as well. Nice fishing with ya guys! Had a great time!!

Mike, Curt (Pine-Cone) , and Jeff (Farmer) with some nice Winter Steelhead P

Wednesday December 20th:

Joined today by first timers with us, Todd and his Dad Jim for a day of Winter Steelheading on the Skagit. Again, another great day to be on the water with multiple hook-ups and a fun time as well. Look forward to doing it with you guys again!

Jim and Todd with a few nice Winter Steelhead for the day.

… In a nut shell.

Friday 12/08/06 :

Friday we were joined by long time client and friend Gary Ryan who brought his Nephew Chris and his 10 yr old son Cody along for their first Steelheading adventure. We went 1 for 4 on Steelhead on Friday and 10 yr old Cody hooked into and fought his very first ever Steelhead all on his own. Although we lost his first steelhead as it made a dart for the under side of the boat and cut the line it was still a blast. Cody got to fight yet another one as well from a hand off from Gary but it snapped the leader during a spectacular mid air leap. Dad Chris hooked into and landed his first and lost his second Steelhead. We also hooked into quite a few Chum that were pretty well colored up and in spawn mode.

Great job Chris and Cody!! Look forward to seeing you again in the near future!

Chris and Cody with their first Winter Steelhead

Saturday 12/09/06:

Saturday we were back at it again with Jack and Kyle for some more Skagit River Winter Steelheading action. We went 3 for 5 on Steelhead on Saturday… Well technically I guess ya could say 3 for 4 because one of the Steelhead we hooked took an amazing first run and snapped the bottom hook off our stinger set-up on its first leap outta the water. We then hooked and landed the same fish about five passes later with our bottom stinger hook still embeded in its jaw.
We also hooked into quite a few more Chum Salmon including one that was extremely bright right outta the salt.
Great job guys!! Look forward to doing again sometime soon!

Jack and Kyle with their first Winter Steelhead

Sunday 12/10/06:

Sunday we were at it again with the love of my life Corrina and her sister Trish and brother-in-law Justin. (Whats there not to love about a women that can not only take care of her man but one that is a great Mom and loves to hunt and fish as much as I do) Not nearly as productive a day as Friday and Saturday were for Steelhead as we only hooked into one smaller two salt fish and a bunch more Chum Salmon on their way out or still in spawn mode… it was still a great day on the water and a perfect end to our December Winter Steel Weekend.

Can’t wait to do it again!

Love of my life Corrina with a nice chromer Steelhead

Great to be back out on the water again doing what I love!!

While the Skagit is still not in ideal shape for Winter Steelheading visibilty wise it is still very much fishable and we are certainly finding some fish around.

Long time friend and client Kim Nelson and his friend John joined us today for another great day on the water! Hooked quite a few more Chum Salmon along with some dandy Dollie Varden, including a couple of Dollies in the mid to upper 20 inch range, while looking for some more Winter Steel today and had an absolute blast as usual.

Thanks for a great day on the water Kim and John!
How come my gut and cheeks are always sore after a day of fishing with you Kim? You always seem to keep the laughs coming!

Kim and John with a couple of nice December Hatchery Steelhead

P.S. Kim don’t forget to e-mail me that crab dip and sea-food salid recipe. Yummmmm!

Its that Winter Steelheading time of year again!!

“FINALLY” able to get back out on the water again!! Seems the entire month of November was pretty well shot for most of our fishing with some major flooding at the beginning of the month and then a major snow storm here right at the end of the month. Talk about your cabin fever!! I get cranky enough not spending at least 5 - 6 days a week on the water! UGGGHHHHH!!!

Tons of Chum Salmon still around as more a part of an incendental catch for us as we are now targeting Winter Steelhead and most if not all the Chum are in full spawn or spawned out mode right now.

Silvers, well… they were pretty much a bust for us this season. While we still caught quite a few of them early on in the season the forecasted run never really materialized for us.

Now its on to our Winter Steelhead season!!
So nice to be out on the water again targeting Winter Steelhead ! :-)
We’ve only just recently been able to get back out on the water again after recovering from our recent snow storm and are just starting to get into some nice Winter Steelhead. Hopefully it will be another great season like last year!

As per usual lately since I drowned the last of my digi cams, I’ve been forgetting my borrowed one at home the past few outings. (can’t keep this one stored in the boat like my old ones. ) Here’s a little Winter Steel fish porn for ya from todays trip though…

Mark (G.I.T.) with his December 06′ Steelhead to start off the season right!