The Nitinat was very disappointing this year with the Chinook Salmon being spotty at best...Coho are in small numbers and the Chum salmon didn't really appear in numbers...so,til the Late Summer of 2010
Sept3rd..
A few fish have entered the River and have made their way to Red Rock pool,not enough yet to target...we need more rain to entice these fish to move up into the system...large schools are milling about the mouth of the River in the Lake
August25th...
Early for the big fish and low water so far...lets hope for significant rains before the 7th of September
August 8th..
A few Trout about in the upper reaches and below Red Rock...Trout fishing has been off this year
Salmon will begin entering the River in Early Spetember,should we get any amount of Rain near the end of August get your big sticks out for some serious action on the fly
April29th...
Some nice Sea Runs have been caught again this week with small minnow patterns near the HAtchery and below Red Rock...as the weather warms we should see a good influx of fresh Trout
April 20th..
If you put in the time you will be rewarded with some very good Cutthroat Trout Action with most fish being in the 16" range, this years Steelhead run was poor at best and I am afraid that we will live to see it gone...unless the gravel build ups and poaching stops.
April 5th...
The river's water levels have been higher than normal these past few weeks and that makes fishing a bit harder than normal...there are so few Steelhead and Trout in this jewell already that overlooking it is a good thing for the fish.
March 25th..
With the rains we had last week with the melting snow the Nitinat River has been high for any wading activity...however the drifting can be good...This river is one of the late rivers,if the water comes down it might produce a few fish...
March 4th...
This is the month to really get your fly gear out for some fine Trout Fishing and if lucky a fresh Winter Run Steelhead
This River is considered to be in Danger with it's Steelhead run..and little wonder with all the logging mishaps affecting this once great river
Feb 25th...2010...
Large Gravel deposits have created many obstacles for both fish and fishers..the Steelhead season is upon us with a few fish being caught...but don't hold your breath to catch one...Fish the lower river around the new log jambs for good results...also some nice trout are about...water levels are good...
Sept...24th......
The water conditions are still low and warm...thus the Chinook really haven't decided to come in enmass...there are plenty of fish but they are dark...some nice Coho coming in..look in the faster water and under teh trees along the banks
River closes on October 1st til the 15th...check reg's
Sept11th...
many fish entered the system on Wednesday with the heavy rains....and big angry fish...my best fly for the day was actually the Skykomish Sunrise followed by the Polar Shrimp...neither fly was weighted fished off an elixir Line with a 10' fast sinking Polytip sink rate at about 4"/Sec! Also landed a very nice Cutthroat Trout and there is not really a need to kill these spectacular little fish! Some idiots had the stupid Idea to do just that...check the regs...Coho will also be entering the River now so be aware of regulations...
Sept 6th...
Fished the Lower end of the Nitinat today and saw more gear chuckers than fish...there were several fish in the system but not many...the rains have added some nice water to the River ..we walked to the mouth at the lake and saw some very large schools of Chinook milling about but not entering the freshwater..any day though
August 28th../09
Very low water conditions ....
with the first rains it would likely be a good idea to find time to fish the Nitinat...however,if we don't get any rain these fish wil enter the system regardless and stack up. Unfortunately the snaggers will find a way to do their nasties when there are so many fish in a fish bowl.
Watch the reg's and be safe
June '09...
Rarely do we talk about the Trout in Nitinat River...but there are some very nice Cutties there as we speak...also a few Summer Run Steelhead tempt us along the way... I have landed 4 lb.Cutties in Mid June on this River,but not the norm,typical fish are 12-16"
ay up to Red Rock Pool and a few of the pools lower.
Nov 1st../08
Many COHO that are in the system have gone further up into the River, past Parker Creek ... even the Chinook this year did manage to spawn further up than in many of the previous years. All fish numbers are down this year with about 11,000 Chinook,50,000 Chum and a mere 4,000 Coho.But I think we will see more Coho and Chum coming in until later November.
October 16th...
There are many new and very silver Chum in the lower River today...a few big Coho in the river from the road bridge all the way down...many of the early Coho moved up into the upper part of the River...Purple Intruders were the ticket today...a Black Bunny tail, Crystal Chenille body, Purple Marabou collar and about 10 strands of Bright Pearl Flashabou...out fished 4 people within 200 feet 6 to 1
Sept 30th...
Fished the River yesterday...still some nice chinook coming in...but the River closes on the 1st until the 15th ..landed a Coho in the upper teens ..water was very good..apparently the Hatchery Crew took about 1500 Chinook from the Red Rock Pool for Brood...good job...the bears were out in full force as were the Bear poachers( several First Nations conservation minded -keepers of the wild type folk) killed a Black Bear at the Mouth at the lake and likely sold the Gall Bladder and claws for who knows what. Shame -Shame!
Sept 22...
Fished again on the Lower River and landed many big fish including big Coho...no Coho retention until Oct 15th...teh bears are out as well...keep your guns at home...
Sept 17...
more than 1000 Chinook entered the River on the Full Moon and many more to come...the gear guys were there in force to make sure that some didn't get by without a few scares. This year is seeing some very large fish. A special note: theer are also Coho mixed in with these fish. We managed to revive a fish that was left for dead by one of the gear fishers. Please take time to take care of teh fish to be released.
Sept 8th....
Again we drifted from Red Rock to Poison Slough and saw fewer fish. Some snaggers were killing fish at Red Rock Pool and there were about 8 guys throwing lead at a few fish at the Big Corner Pool...a couple were snagged and kept unfortunately. There were a few fish above Glory and I saw 3 fish in Sturgeon...Dennis caught a nice 4 lb. Cutt/Bow above the Corner pool in the fast water and that was about it...Water is still good and will likely be for the season....head for the River when we get rain or you may have to wait until later when the Full moon has it's influence
AS of Sept 4th there were no fish in the regular holding pools ...Sturgeon and Poison Slough...a few fish were at Eagle Rock Pool and near Cut Corner...Landed a small Steelhead on Sept..4th...and a few Springs to 35 lbs. Not enough fish yet to consider a real target...Water is excellent and will likely become on the Low Side if we don't get any rain as is predicted for a few days.
