By Mike Maltais
Anglers can sometimes be folks of few words when the talk turns to fishing holes, lure types and catch sizes, so they have to make those words count.
“They’re just having a blast,” is how Lance Rider of The Outdoorsman sporting goods store in Winthrop describes the current success fishermen are experiencing on the Methow River for coho salmon and steelhead, following season openers on Oct. 4 and Oct. 8 respectively.
“Steelhead and coho are all up and down the river but most of the activity seems to be from Gold Creek upstream,” Rider said.
Anglers are using stone flies and big streamers like the Blue Fox streamer in colors of purple and blue.
Bob Wilson of Mazama said he caught and released a “nice-sized steelhead” near the town of Methow.
“They normally like flies but this one hit a flasher,” Wilson said while fishing the Methow just below the Winthrop bridge last weekend.
Seasons for coho and Chinook continue through Nov. 30. The steelhead season will continue until further notice from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Be sure to follow all special gear rules and other restrictions as outlined in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
