John’s Guide Service Fishing & Hunting Blog

Just gettin through the worst of the “Pineapple Express” that hit us Saturday night here in NW Washington. (A “pineapple express” is when we get to say “Aloha” to some warm weather and driving rains originating from the Hawaiian tropics) With just over two inches of rain here at our place in Rockport and a snow level that climbed to over 9,000 feet the Skagit system is now running at just below flood stage and will most likely remain un-fishable for the next few days.

Maybe we’ll see a nice push of fish up-river here now making it past the gauntlet of nets that plagued the lower river last week!

Saturday, March 10th, 2007:

Fished the day the storm hit us with Mike and Chip, up from California in search of some big Skagit System Steelhead. Both experienced anglers, and a hoot to fish with, we beat up the upper river here hard in search of some big Steelhead… and we found a few too!

Had a great time guys and look forward to doing it again sometime!!! Thanks!

Mike releasing a nice Skagit River wild hen Steelhead

Big Chip blowing out his rain pants releasing this nice Skagit river Steelhead

Mike met “Ike” getting into this dandy Skagit River Wild Steelhead

Big Chip with a nice bright, and very late, Hatchery Steelhead

I have been notified by another Skagit angler that there has been a Digital Camera found at one of the launches. This Angler is obviously a man of high integrity and has come forward looking for the camera’s rightful owner. (May the Fish Gods forever smile upon him and return the good karma )

If you know of the rightful owner or are the rightful owner of this Digital Camera please contact me and I will forward your contact information to the angler that found the camera.

Definately not the usual “March Madness” start were used to here on the Skagit System… we’re normally seeing some steady fishing this time of year with multiple hook-ups each day. Right now it seems were into fish one day with multiple hook-ups and the next its pretty tough fishing, with only a couple of hook-ups. Fish seem to be coming through in small spurts right now.

Fish we have been getting the past few days have certainly been some nice ones though:

Here’s Lorna with another nice Wild Hen for the 2007 Season.

Brent with a nice Wild Steelhead.

Don with a Dandy Big Buck Steelhead!

(Hard on the parts) Rod with a nice Wild Steelhead.

To all those that joined us the past few days, a Big “THANK YOU!!” Had a great time and look forward to seeing you all again in the near future.:-)

With 3 - 4 inches of snow on the ground from yesterday and last night we got a snow-day today to play a little catch up here…. Got boat cleaned up, (after shoveling the snow out of it) reels all re-spooled with fresh line, more lead cut, some single barbless C&R leaders tied up and caught up a little on some e-mails.

Fishing over the past week has been hot and cold…. one day we’re on fish all day long and the next its tough fishing boating only a few at best. Fish seem to be either rocketing through the system, sore lipped from the day before, or just flat going off the bite for the day.

We’ve been joined this past week by some long time regulars and some new faces as well… For all those that joined us during the past week, Thank You!! I’ve enjoyed your company and have been having a great time as always and look forward to seeing you all again soon!!

Long time regular Ethan (a.k.a Trisket) with a dandy Wild Steelhead

Ralph (a.k.a Graham) releasing another dandy Wild Steelhead

First timer John releasing a nice Wild Hen

Mel with another dandy Wild Steelhead

Releasing John’s Uncle’s first Wild Steelhead of the day

Releasing John’s Uncle’s second Steelhead of the day