Starting from the very beginning.
I don't know anything about this fishery, but I saw a show on it, and I fell in love with it!
I really want to go!
Guides? Time of year? Methods?
Anyone have any basic info?
Jen

Ifish, here's the advice I can give you having lived in Leavenworth for 3 years, but only fishing the Icicle about 10 total days. First off it's a beautiful area and well worth the visit dispite very low chances of catching a fish. The river can be floated or fished from shore but bank access is limited. The best spots are just downstream from the hatchery boat launch (get there real early) and by the country club (private) which is about half way between the hatchery and the mouth.

These fish move fast when there in so its ok to find a good drift and just stick with it all day if the crouds are bad. The fish usually come in about mid May but this year the run is at least three weeks late so check the dam counts and make your best guess.

I have only cought 1 fish and I was on eggs and yarn later in the season. All of the other fish I have witnessed caught were on small (about 3") herring or smelt rigged to spin very tightly. These can be purchased at the Safeway in Leavenworth or at Hooked on Toys in Wenatchee (good spot for up to the minute advice). The river is quite fast so you'll need lots of weight. Most guys I see are essentially plunking the smelt or herring in a good hole and waiting for a strike. Every year it seems that there is about a 1 week period where everyone catches a fish but otherwise its pretty slow. I hope you make it when its hot!

Be sure to check out Gustav's or the Leavenworth Brewery for some of the best brews in the state and good luck!!

Very limited bank access and then you have to fight the guys that are 95% meat hunters and 5% just fishing. Nothing wrong with that. Sometimes I am 100% for meat but the combination of meat on the table and limited bank access will dilute the beautiful scenery. Small holes and boats camp on them. Have relatives living in that area but fished it only once for salmon. Floating it is fun when there is no salmon run. If you go be patient and you will have fun.

If you do float I would suggest taking a day to figure out where you want to fish, then get an early start the next day. The last time I went We launched at 3 A.M. and we still didn't get the spot we wanted (to say that this little river gets crowded is an understatement). Some of the locals will leave their boats anchored in the good holes overnight.

There will be a few home owners that will give you a hard time if you anchor in front of their property. I have had them tell me that their property ran all the way out into the river and that I was tresspassing. But for the most part if you are courteous and don't make a bunch of noise while you are rowing down stream in the dark they will be courteous.

Good luck

Nice place, tough fishery to figure out. Light guide pressure unless the Wenatchee is open. Like eastsidefly said, the beer is great.

Jennie, I've camped up there before but haven't fished it. Here's a link that may help you, http://www.visitleavenworth.com/recreation/fishing.htm.