Bonner Daniels with a Cowlitz River chromer.

It’s already March and I can’t believe how the time has flown by . . . I guess that’s what happens when you’re having fun catching so many steelhead The steelhead fishing was great in February and is continuing on a strong note right into March. I have been guiding on the Wynoochee and Cowlitz rivers of late, with good success. The Wynoochie natives are making a stronger showing every day now and there are still chrome bright, hatchery steelhead to be had, as well! The Chehalis system just rose a bunch and that system will be on FIRE starting today and should remain strong until it closes at the end of this month. If you want a nice, peaceful drift boat trip down the Wynoochie, the time is now, as the water levels are perfect and the fish are in the river system!

On the Wynoochee.

I have also been down on the Cowlitz catching quite a few fish for being so early in the late winter-run hatchery season. This river will be on fire any day now, so get yourself a date before it’s too late! Last year we averaged hooking into limits of steelhead on every trip from mid-March through mid-April . . . along with some springers as very nice bonus catches. I typically side-drift eggs this time of year so we can catch steelhead and springers side by side. Give me a call and let’s get you out on the water and off the couch from watching Hawg Quest and let’s make you your own Hawg Quest episode, with you as the guy catching all the fish on TV!

Sincerely,
Bonner Daniels
bonnerfishon.com
425-281-8772

Here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks guided adventures:

Here we go… the past month of January had me fishing on the Wynoochie river, as the Skykomish, Snoqualmie and Cowlitz were all blown out. We have had some stellar days on the Wynoochie so far this season, with our smallest hatchery fish weighing in at 12 lbs and the largest native — SO FAR — at 21 lbs!! We have been and continue to hook into multiple fish per day. I jet sled and drift boat fish this little gem of a river. The fishing will remain strong here through March. I typically cover 15 river miles a day on this pristine fishery and the scenery is simply fabulous.

I am also starting to switch gears again. I will be back on the Cowlitz and starting to fish on the Satsop, as well as the Wynoochie. From now through March on these rivers (mother nature depending, of course) we are in line for some spectacular winter-run steelhead fishing in our Washington state coastal rivers!! Big natives and loads of late-run hatchery fish are what we will be in for. Give me a call, or shoot me an email and lets get you a date to go catch some huge natives and/or hatchery steelhead for the barbeque.

Here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks:

Sincerely,
Bonner Daniels
bonnerfishon.com
425-281-8772

• Look at the river you are fishing and determine where the fish are heading and then go and find soft water traveling lanes. The fish will either be held up under structure, or heading straight up the river to the spawning grounds.
• Plunking is a great method for this, as well. Bobber and bait, fished in the quiet, soft water is also a good tactic.
• Typically the hatchery zones are great places to fish in high water.

The first waters to come back into shape will be the upper river tributaries. That is where I would start to fish first once the water begins to drop. Good luck out there and pray for colder weather and slim green water’s. The fishing should be really good once the rivers drop back into shape. Give me a call and let’s go catch some winter run steelhead!!

High Water Steelhead

Sincerely,
Bonner Daniels
bonnerfishon.com
425-281-8772

A word to the wise: be careful when navigating flood waters, look for debris and new obstacles and watch your wading, as one little mistake in flood waters will turn into a major mishap within seconds.

Don’t miss the chance to get some great deals on Fetha Styx rods and talk fishing with some of Western Washington’s top fisherman.  Tom Nelson, Robbie Tobeck and Rob Endsley of 710AM ESPN’s “The Outdoorline Show” will be on hand with our pro-guide Bonner Daniels, Gina Mattern and owner Bill Boyce!

There will be killer door prizes, including a guided fishing trip on the Skagit river, steelhead rod and reel packages, Winchester Camo Waders, and much more!!

Add in a free BBQ, a Jig Tying workshop to learn the basics of tying salmon and steelhead jigs for the local northwest waters, float fishing instructions, and you have a great event for all sportsmen and their families!

For more information and directions check out Doug’s Boats website.

Fetha Styx can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and Youtube.

The Gods have awoken, unleashing a massive amount of water into our Washington State river systems. For all intensive purposes, our winter-run steelhead season will be put on hold for a few days, at least on ALL the main stem rivers anyways. But, not every river system is shut down due to high water: Tokul Creek, the Salmon River, Cook Creek, Rieter Ponds, Barrier Dam, Stevens Creek, and Cascade River to name a few, are spots that excel in high water situations.

Before this rain storm the fishing has been great and the catching has been above par to say the least. We have already limited the boat on multiple outings this winter-run steelhead season. I have been fishing on the Cowlitz, Snohomish and Chehalis river systems so far this season. Side-drifting good bait has been my key to success lately. Just keep on moving and searching for a pod of steelhead, and then stick on them and pound that section of river.

Let’s get you out on the water before you miss out on your 2010 chance at chrome-bright, ocean-run winter steelhead — quit wishing and lets go fishing!!!! See you on the water.

Sincerely,
Bonner Daniels
bonnerfishon.com
425-281-8772

Here are a few pics from the past two weeks guided adventures:

I have been over on the Eastside hammering away on the summer-run steelhead and sneaking back home to see the family and guide the local coho. The fishing went really strong over on the Eastside for steelhead. We have been side-drifting bait to catch these feisty fish and now that the water temp. is cooling plugs, along with divers and bait, also work well. The local coho have migrated up into the tributaries and are definetly on the tail of the run. As of a few weeks ago, there were some new fish coming in, but the chrome fish were fewer and further apart. Try fishing eggs under a float in the smaller tributaries and you will catch coho and you just might catch your first winter-run steelhead of the season, as well!

Speaking of winter-run steelhead, my winter western Washington guide season is up and flying, with fishing on the Cowlitz, Skykomish, and Snoqualmie rivers for the month of December. If you’re looking to catch hatchery steelhead for the BBQ or smoker, December is prime time! Call me ASAP to get your date of choice for December before it’s too late. Last year we hooked into limits on almost every trip in December.

Sincerely,
Bonner Daniels
bonnerfishon.com
425-281-8772

Here are some glory shots from the past few weeks. Again, this Eastside fishery is still good fishing and you can have the catch of a lifetime on any given day over there. It is a four hour drive from Issaquah, WA to Lewiston/Clarkston and another half an hour to the boat launch. Let me know what you want to catch and I will do the rest! See you on the water.

The walleye are just a bit more fickle. Here one day and gone the next, you really need to be versatile to keep on these toothy critters and not be afraid to fish different locations on a daily basis. That’s where my job comes into play. If you want to go slay some spiny rays before the season ends, let’s go get after it! In my opinion . . . the best fishing of the year for these fish is right now.

Looking ahead to September 1st for the opening of salmon season on some of our local Westside river fisheries, which is a week away at press time! Coho/silver salmon retention on the Snohomish system will be good to go right after our next big rain. If you want to go fishing with me and hook into limits of coho salmon, the prime dates are from around the first week in September through October — mother nature permitting, of course. The local king salmon gig is also open and in full swing on Lake Sammamish, as well. Call me and let’s get you and your crew on the fishing schedule.

Here is an example of what to expect on the Snohomish System for coho this year.

Again, quit wishin’ and let’s go fishin’!

Sincerely,
Bonner Daniels
bonnerfishon.com

PS I’ve been out exploring some new fisheries and next year it will be on for the sockeye salmon . . . more to come on these fisheries when the season comes back around in 2011. Take a sneak peak of what to expect below and I will say this, ”bring your bigger cooler!”

August in Washington State rules — if you’re an outdoor enthusiast that is. Pick your poison between fresh and/or salt water, rivers to lakes, sounds to seas, all are productive and opportunities abound. I have been fishing the lakes and rivers of late with great success on both.

I have been catching all species varying from: king salmon, steelhead, large- and small-mouth bass, walleye, and panfish. Sockeye are also available!

If you want to catch fish, now is as good a time as any. Just let me know what you’re looking to do and we WILL get it done. Eastern Washington means shorts and tee shirts and on the westside scene you just never know what you’re gonna get.

Also, don’t look too far ahead on your calendar, but September is right around the corner and that means it’s time for the Snohomish coho invasion and the Lake
Sammamish king fishery. Both fisheries are fabulous fishing and the bonus is that they are both LOCAL, as in 30 minutes or less from Seattle!

Bonner Daniels with a summer hawg.

Well, there you go — a few pics to get your blood flow going! Call me and lets get you out on the water.

Sincerely,
Bonner Daniels
bonnerfishon.com
425-281-8772

Brown Family King

The summertime sun has finally come to Washington state and with her heat came the king salmon retention closure on Sky River. With that stated, I am now shifting gears back to focusing on the Skykomish River summer-run steelhead. If you’re looking for a peaceful float down the river, with the opportunity to catch a summer-run chromer, look no further than your own backyard. The fish have moved up the system and it’s time to break out the drift boat.

Bonner With a Summer King

Otherwise, lets get a crew to fill up the jet sled and head down to the Cowlitz River to do battle with summer-run steelhead. Those fish have definitely shown up and are in the system, as well. Side drifting and pulling plugs are the keys to success down on the Cow.

Lets Go Catch Some Summer Run Chrome!

Sincerely,
Bonner Daniels
bonnerfishon.com
425-281-8772

PS The walleye bite is on over east if your looking for a change of pace. Just let me know when you want to go

Just a few days ago I had the pleasure of fishing with Jean, Cyndi, and Cathy of Puget Sound Anglers along with Glenn and Taj while filming a Hawg Quest episode. Great company and good times to say the least You will have to watch FSN channel 30 to see the results of our trip. I will say we had a blast!

Remember, it’s supposedly summertime . . . we have been catching fish on all methods from jet sled, to drift boat, to banking it. Try spinners, spoons, floats, plugs, and side drifting smaller baits for summer chrome in the form of steelhead and king salmon.

The summer run action is just beginning, give me a call if you want in on some of the ACTION!!

See you on the water.

Sincerely,
Bonner Daniels
bonnerfishon.com
425-281-8772