Well, with the first frost of the year here, and some high water in our river systems, don’t be afraid to move around to find some chrome coho in our local rivers. We have been on the Snohomish River System and will continue to be there as we are having one of the better seasons in a long time with limits of coho the norm. Chum are also definitely showing up in our catches (must be released) as well….

Last year we got our first winter-run steelhead Nov 15 so it’s a very fun time of year to be out on the river. If you want to get out in a heated boat, give a call. Prime dates still available.

Todd
Tall Tails Guide Service
(206) 437-8766
email

Originally published on Steelhead University’s weekly fishing reports.

Also, there are still plenty of pinks around to get your rod bent and if you pick through your catch, there are still bright pinks coming in on the tides.

Then I’m off to the Snake River to chase around feisty summer-run steelhead and up-river bright chinook salmon! I still have one open date left (10/26/11). I’ve been in touch with my local buddies and fishing has been pretty good, so far. Give me a call if you want in on this slayfest of a salmon/steelhead fishery!

There should be close to 150,000 steelies over lower Granite Dam by mid-October . . . not including the 50,000-plus chinook salmon! See you on the water and FISH ON!

Bonner’s FishON! Guide Service
Website bonnerfishon.com
Cell 425-281-8772
Email bonnerdaniels@live.com

Here are a few pics from the past week’s guided adventures:

Originally published on Steelhead University (Sept. 27, 2011).

Originally published at Steelhead University.

I have been targeting sockeye and Chinook salmon, bass and walleye the past week and will continue to do so through mid-August. The Brewster Pool and Well’s Dam fisheries are in prime form right now! Expect to fill your cooler with bright, red sockeye meat. The limit on this Columbia River fishery is six adult salmon per person. We are trolling on down-riggers, enjoying cold beverages, and catching fish in exceptionally nice Eastern WA weather. Bring your sunscreen and I will put you on the fish.

Also, if anyone wants to get their top-water big bass fix, now is the time. We have been doing VERY well on these massive bass. The BIG Walleye are on the feed, as well over on Moses Lake and the Potholes Reservoir. If you would like to get in on the action get a hold of me before August 17th.

I then shift gears back over to the Snohomish River system for pink’s and coho and Lake Sammamish for king salmon through late September. These are “local” fisheries only 30 minutes, or less, from downtown Seattle. FISH-ON GUARANTEED for any of the Snohomish River, or Lake Sammamish fisheries … and if you like, we can even fish the lake and river on the same day (they are only 45 minutes apart)!

Remember, the pink salmon run is only every other year and I have only a few prime dates left open … that is if you and your friends and family would like to come and enjoy the most productive fishery the Puget Sound has to offer — hands down!!!!

Oh, and thanks again to every single one of you whom came out to experience the fantastic fishing we had on the Skykomish River from the opener through this last week. What a great season it was for king salmon and steelhead! Hope to see you all out there again next year come June 1st!

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

Here a just a few of the pics from this last month’s Guided Adventure’s:

Well, the last day of the trip was just Kim and I fishing with John, our host. We ended up fishing a short day from 6 a.m. to noon, but got two really nice king’s in the 20 lb. range. It was almost a blessing in disguise after we headed to the fish processing and collected the rest of our bounty before heading home. The total catch was a whopping 185.3 pounds, just in fillets for the flight back! WOW… was the expressions on all of our faces after loading up four 46-49 lb. boxes. We limited out our seven day licenses with a total of 12 kings for the two of use combined plus one 58 lb. Halibut, a 12 lb. sockeye and king salmon eggs for Todd Daniels (Tall Tail Guide Service) who was in dire need of fresh eggs for the Skykomish River and the killer steelhead fishing he has been experiencing.

The people of Wrangell made us feel like we were right at home. Leslie, the lady who owns the Grandview B & B, gave us the tour when we arrived and each day made breakfast at 5 a.m. We even got to try her famous 100-year-old sourdough pancake recipe that was passed down each generation. When I inquired about the details of these delicious flapjacks, “If I told ya I would have to kill ya,” was the response. All-in-all John Yeager — “Alaska Charters and Adventures” (www.wrangellalaskafishing.com) — was a total class act and is now a new fishing buddy. I look forward to next year in August when they get monster coho in the 15-20lb range that I can target on ultra-light steelhead rods. “Great rods for the greater good.”

Bill Boyce

Winkin’ Blinkin’ & Todd from Hawg Quest on Vimeo.

Fun day on the water as Glenn Hall of Hawg Quest joins the Graham family for some true coho slaying in their Alaskan backyard. You have no idea . . . they have some seriously good spots, especially the last one featured in this episode. Glenn’s fishing the Fetha Styx True Hero series in this video.

Slayin Silvers from Hawg Quest on Vimeo.

Glenn Hall and Hawg Quest headed up to Alaksa to live large and catch some Coho.

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.

Well, with the weather we have had as of late, one thing that is for certain is changing fishing conditions…. It has been a challenge to try to figure out the day-to-day habits of these fish, but more times than not we have had limits of these big kings. Thank you to all that have gone out on the lake with me this year and many of you have caught the biggest salmon of your life . . . and I am very proud to be a part of that. Just think: we will get to try to top that again next year!!!! Our boat has hooked well over 200 kings in the last three weeks and it just seems to continue rolling on, so it is not too late to get a crack at these hard fighting fish, as well as some early arriving coho. The salmon season is just getting going in all parts of Washington, so don’t wait and book a trip soon — you won’t be disappointed.

Love,
Todd
Tall Tails Guide Service
(206) 437-8766

Dear Fetha Styx,

I just wanted to take the time and write you about the great time I had using your fishing rods on my recent trip to Yakutat, AK. Both rods I had were from your “True Hero Series“. The “Blitz Line” had great sensitivity and was able to handle some nice coho. I have never fly-fished before and Bill Boyce was nice enough to let me demo an 8 weight, “The Flashover”. My father-in-law, who is an avid fly-fisherman, was very impressed by the quality and ease of casting of this rod. I also found it very easy to cast and hooked into my first fish on a fly rod. I can say that I am hooked for life and it was probably the most memorable fish I have ever caught. Please enjoy the pictures I have included and know that Fetha Styx helped make this a trip of a lifetime.

Sincerely,
Matt