I am new to fishing the Skagit River. I have driven to the upper skagit areas, and would greatly appreciate any tips on where I can access the river for some good bank fishing. I understand most won't want to give up secret spots, but anything would be helpful. Thanks!!

At the risk of being flamed and burned to death... here goes.

South Side: Cross the Dalles Bridge just before Concrete and head up river.
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The Duchman area - about 4 miles up river, You'll see a large debris pile on the North side of the road along with a fairly large side channel coming off the main river. You can fish the side channel depending on water depth and speed - BE CAREFULL. There's a large pull out there you can park and fish the large slack water area off the main river too.

Faber Launch, South: About a mile or so further up stream there's a road called Skagit Ridge Rd. on the North side of the main road, there's a street sign. Follow it back past a few houses and there's a "primative" boat launch there at the end. You'll see where to go.

Further up the road about the next quarter mile there's a couple places to cross over a slough that aren't marked private. On the other side is a *****en gravel bar - Larsons Bar. Observe the places marked private no trespassing and respect the landowners there. Water height permiting.

Another quarter mile or so up is a creek that crosses the main road. Hike down the creek to the mouth and there is a channel that flows close to the bank of the main river. The creek runs clear so this is a good "hidey hole" with some depth on the down stream side.

All these places are below the Sauk so water clarity will be an issue.

North side below the Sauk River:
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Jackman Creek: About 2 miles East of Concrete on Hwy 20 the creek crosses the Hwy. Hike downt he creek and have at. The river is about a quarter mile from the road.

Faber Launch, North: Faber road on the South Side of the Hwy goes down to a boat launch across from Faber South. Limited fishing area but some possiblities.

Sauk Bar: Haven't been down there in a long time but you can take Sauk Store Rd and park at the point where the road's closed off. I don't know if it's marked private or not. Can be a great place but a punishing walk, a mile and a half.

North side above the Sauk River Confluence:
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Howard Miller Steelhead Park at Rockport: Self explanatory - explore.

Sutter Creek: Where the creek crosses park and follow the trails down to the river (it's right there) can be a great hole.

101 hole: at mile marker 101. Long gravel bar fishing at the top after a hike and fishing in the slack water at the bottom. Slightly below the 101 hole there area some other side channels that depending on water depth work out well too.

Good Luck!

(Now dawning flame retardant suit.)

Wow, thanks!! I really appreciate your feedback.

River Fishing44:

Welcome to the board!

Titanium has given you great spots...and he's right in that none of them are "secrets", but all of them will hold fish.

If your looking for Coho, for the moment I would look at Rockport and upriver from there. I fished the Howard Miller park yesterday, and saw -0- fish caught (although one fellow said he had caught a couple).

The current run of fish have moved upriver. After fishing Rockport for a couple hours, I came back down to the Concrete area and fished till dark. Caught a few Dollies, but no Coho. There ARE a few here in the middle river, but until we get a good rain and another bunch enters the river from the salt if is going to be pretty "flat".

If your wanting to fish the area above the Dalles Bridge, drop me a private note and I'll be glad to get you on a few hundred yards or private bank access. Good Coho water, when the fish are here.

Mike B