Skagit Area Report

[House]

Anthon Steen
Holiday Sports Center
Burlington, Washington
(360) 757-4361

FRESHWATER

The Skagit River is still putting out a few coho. A few reports have been coming in of bright coho being caught in the Hamilton up to Rockport stretch. Salmon retention remains open in the Skagit up till the end of December although chums and chinook must be released.

The Cascade River has been putting out a few big steelhead over the past couple of weeks. One customer noted that he has landed eight so far this season and some of his friends have gotten even more. He noted that the fish are running larger than normal but there have been less fish around so far in comparison to last year. His largest fish weighed 15 pounds and he heard of an 18 pounder (hatchery fish) a couple days ago. The crowd has been large at times but he has had success during the mid morning and into the afternoon after people have headed home. There are still lots of spawned out silvers swimming around too.



SALTWATER

The San Juans have been pretty good for blackmouth since the December 1 opener despite the really strong winds. One customer (Raymond) was able to land an eight and a fourteen (both hatchery) on Sunday. A couple of customers noted that they have made it to Eagle Bluff a couple of times so far and both times landed a couple of keepers from 8-12 pounds. Expect good fishing if you can get out on a nice enough day. The Resurrection Derby will be taking place this weekend so we'll have a good idea where the fish are.

Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 have been seemingly hit and miss over the past couple of weeks. A few customers have reported having good luck and others have had a tough time catching fish.

HUNTING

The strong winds we've been getting may have been tough on the fishermen but duck hunters are liking it. Duck hunting has been pretty good lately. We have a little too much sheetwater in the fields so the ducks are spreading out a bit but the numbers are good and if you hunt on a day with a good blow, shooting has been good.