This is my first post. I am returning to steelhead fishing after a long absence. I was a pretty good steelheader in my younger days along the Oregon coast but know little in the way of where to find good steelhead drifts. I live near the Snoqualamie River, so if anyone who knows the river well would be willing to give me some "where to go" tips to start me out, I would be very appreciative. Has anyone published any good maps showing steelhead drifts on the Snoqualamie or Skykomish? If so, I would like to know how to obtain them. Good fishing to all this upcoming season. It will be my first in a while and am looking forward to it.

Bill

bill_rob,

Are you fishing from a boat or banking it. There are three sections I like to fish. One is in the river below the hatchery, next the Fall City area, the other is from the Tolt River down about 5 miles. I usually boat the river in those areas, but there are several easy bank access places available. If your on foot, start at the mouth of the Tolt, and then get in your car explore down river to the next main bridge. You will see a couple of pull outs and usually a few fisherman. After the bridge north of Carnation, bank access is very limited.

I hope this helps.

Thanks Ak_Floater. I will be bank fishing for a while. I have owned two drift boats in the past, butdon't have one now. Sounds like from the Tolt downstream is a good place to start. When do you start fishing the Sno? First rain after thanksgiving? Thanks again. Bill

Speaking of bank access vs. Boat access:
For anyone wanting a driftboat at a great price, Ron Laviguere at Lavro Boats in Monroe had some decent used ones for dirt cheap prices. He's had some trade-ins lately on some sells and they are just sitting in his lot. Even better, he donates a lot of the proceeds on his used boat sales to the Sky Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Kevin
FH http://www.fishermansheaven.com

bill_rob,

For winter steelhead, I like December and the last 2 weeks of the season. For summer fish, June until September are all good. Don't forget during the summer, its single barbless, with no bait, and you need to get up really early.

I like to fish it starting on the 1st of Dec. Still lots of late summer-runs and chums to chomp shrimp baits. A good well-known spot is at the fall city bridge. Start at the mouth of the Raging and work down, with driftgear or float/jig, until you hit the plunkers below the bridge.

Hohwaiin -- Which side of the Sno do you work in the Fall City area? Do you fish the bank on the Fall City side or opposite? Thanks, Bill

Bill_rob, fish the south side of the river around Fall city. You can also go upstream to tokul creek hatchery and fish from there down to fall city bridge. I've had very good success fishing just upstream from the raging river on the south side near Fall City. Good luck!

bill_rob,

You can fish the Tokul creek, down from the Tokul about 1/4 mile is the Plumb tree access-just upstream from the access is the cable hole and a few spots downstream along the road (fish hatchery road). The mouth of the Raging down to the bridge on the Raging side, just below the bridge on the town side along the dike (limited access)or you can walk in from the ballfield side (neal road)which gives a little more access to the river. Drive the Neal road from one end to the other there are a few spots along the pastures and road to pull off and fish (some good holes). Just above the mouth of the Tolt and just below down to the last riffle below the bridge (access to the walk bridge from McDonald Park in Carnation) holes on both sides of the river. Under and around the walkbridge both sides of the river has produced fish. Just north of Carnation on 203 turn right on to Carnation Farms Road follow to the bridge-downstream side of bridge either side of river (watch for plunkers on the Carnation side)

Good luck and fish on

Doubletake