Fast, boulder-filled and full of classic runs, the Skykomish River forms near Index and flows about 29 miles past Gold Bar and Sultan before joining the Snoqualmie near Monroe. Just 45 minutes to an hour from Seattle, the “Sky” is one of the region’s most famous steelhead rivers, with Highway 2 providing easy access.
Seattle Fishing Company’s guide breaks down the year. Summer steelhead enter in May and peak from June through September in the upper river, a favorite of fly anglers. Fall brings coho, odd-year pinks and chum through December, and hatchery winter steelhead peak in late December and January, followed by the wild run. Spring is mostly closed until a late-spring reopener.
Top spots include the famous Reiter Ponds stretch and Big Eddy Park near Gold Bar, the Cracker Bar across from Sultan, pull-outs along Ben Howard Road, and the Lewis Street launch and Al Borlin Park in Monroe. The guide recommends swinging Little Cleo spoons, bobbers with jigs or beads, and drift gear for steelhead, plus Dick Nite spoons, twitching jigs and spinners for salmon. Barbless hooks and selective gear rules are common, so check regulations before every trip.
Read the full post here: Fishing the Skykomish River
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