So I decided to write a report to share my thoughts on the new opening date on the skykomish set by the wdfw. By the way this wasn't just my opinion but many others shared my frustration out on the river. If any of you have ever fished opening day on the sky for steelhead (usually june 1st) you will know that steelhead are plentiful that particular day with some years reaching over 100 fish caught and over 200 fish is not unheard for this day.

Any way back to my report. Of all the years I have fished opening day on the sky for steelhead this has got to be the worst opener ever. I saw maybe 8 fish caught between the hatchery and the cable hole. Fish checker lady says she counted 11 steelhead with many unsatisfied anglers. Wdfw claims it switched the date to simplify the rules but it did a horrible job doing that. I believe opening it a week earlier then normal definitely made the difference in the amount of fish caught. Just thought I would stop by and share my thoughts and let everyone know that the fishing was horrible on this particular day. Wish you all luck and have a great memorial day!!

sfgregorini

5/26/2019 8:30:07 PM

I’m not sure the date has anything to do with it. The predictions are that it’s going to be a down run this summer.

riverhunter

5/27/2019 8:56:51 AM

I hope you are right but even the fish checker lady was concerned about how bad it was for the opener. She even went as far as saying she will be talking to rule makers and try to switch it back to june 1st. Everybody I talked to was dissapointed in the week earlier opener.

4steelhead

5/27/2019 5:00:29 PM

I don't like the change either. I usually take my family out of town this weekend. This has caused conflict for me. I do like the idea of simplifying the rules and a longer season. That being said, I prefer a June 1 opener.

I saw at least a dozen fish caught mid hole (near hay stack rock) and the hwy side. It has been an unusually dry spring. Which I think is more to blame for poor success than a week difference in opening day.
I think that the early snow melt that we had this year is going to hurt us.

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