Eastern Washington Fishing Report 06.28.18
Methow River (WA)
Each day the Methow River continues to improve as the flows drop. Currently, it is running at 1940 cfs and dropping. Wade fishing is somewhat limited but doable in places. The important thing to remember is wade within your own limits. If you’re fishing out of a boat, floats are really good for that right now and you would be able to cover more area. It will allow you to hit a lot of good seem water where a lot of the fish are holding right now. Barring any heavy weather this weekend, you shouldn’t have any problem floating from Winthrop to Twisp, Twisp to Carlton, or even from Carlton to further south to McFarland Creek. Only a couple of places might require you to be a little more attentive. Such as; the mouth of Gold Creek and the other being at the Hwy 153 bridge -at the south end of the Gold Creek Loops Rd.
Most of the action I'm hearing is from those that are swinging or stripping streamers. I would recommend working the seams of soft water right off the heavy flowing current. With the flows still being a little high, you will need to have at least a T8 tip and a medium weighted streamer. Some of the streamers that are getting a lot of use are the; Sculpzilla, Montana Intruder, and the Sculpin. I've seen some impressive photos of cutthroat in the 18" to 22" range. It is nice to see a good showing of these this year.
Boulder Creek (WA)
If you like fishing creeks this tributary of the Chewuch River is a nice place to use your 2 or 3wt. rod. Located approximately seven miles north of Winthrop, WA, a Forest Service road runs along above the creek, requiring a short hike down to the creek. The creek is home to some feisty cutthroat in the 8" to 12" size with the occasional 14" range. You also may encounter a few brook trout that may still be hanging on in the creek.
Depending on who you talk to about what flies are working, you might get a different answer. For me, I have always had luck with #14 Royal Wulf, #14 Parachute Purple Rooster, or a #14 TFP Party on Top Caddis. Depending on the depth, if you happen to work into some of the little deeper pools, tie on a #16 Pheasant tail nymph for added chances. Side note: make sure you bring your bug spray; the mosquitos are a little hungry this year.
Big Twin Lake (WA)
Big Twin seems to have finally woken up. The first part of the season the lake has been difficult in the catching category. I had an email from my old boss telling me he had one of his best days on the lake. The weather outlook is very good for the upcoming weekend. Barring any unexpected weather, it should be a good time on the water. With bright sunny days, I would make sure to be on the water at first light and call it quits around 11:00 a.m. or noon. Then, get back on the water around 4:00 p.m. and end just before dark. Start in about 20 feet from the shore and move out to a little deeper water until you find where the fish are holding. Some patterns that I have had good success with at Big Twin are; #10 black and red Chan's Ruby Eyed Leech, #12 olive Redhead Leech, and a #8 black and red Goat Leech. Damsel are still showing up, so it won't hurt to keep an eye out for their activity and break out the damsel nymphs.
The rainbows range from 14" to 18" in size. The catch rate has been averaging about six fish per hour.
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