2022 Begins

2022 Begins–2021 was a unique year; I doubt that anyone can dispute that. Our fishing had its ups and downs this past year. 2021 began with a modest steelhead run and very low water. In fact, our water was so low in April that navigation was more difficult than it is in mid summer. That low water continued into late spring. Though our trout fishing was good, it was entirely sub surface with wet flies, nymphs, and streamers. The dry fly fishing never materialized. Our premiere insect, the gray drake is a mysterious bug in many ways. Some years it comes off by the billions, other years not so much. Our summer smallmouth fishing was very consistent, and other species such as northern pike were numerous. The chinook salmon run was poor, but we had some coho around again this fall and that was a bright spot. The steelhead fishing has been pretty steady since their arrival in mid October. It was better than the last two years for our program. However, it still has a ways to go to have runs like we had a decade ago.

I write this as we head into seemingly normal winter. It is very cold right now and we have snow on the ground. 2022 begins with the hope of snowmelt and a strong spring. Winter makes the first half of the year fish better. If we have a cold winter with a good bit of snow, then our steelhead and trout fishing will be more consistent in the spring. If we have a dry winter, this usually translates the spring fishing into peaks and valleys (as in 2021).

Thanks to everyone who fished with us in 2021, and let’s hope for good fishing in 2022!