Dave Graybill: Fishin' Magician

The good news just keeps coming for anglers here in Central Washington.

Steelhead season is now open on several streams in the region. Right now you can catch two marked steelhead a day on the main stem Columbia, Wenatchee, Entiat, Methow, and Okanogan rivers. The Similkameen will open on November 1st.

I want to remind everyone that it is required to keep all marked steelhead and all unmarked fish must be immediately released without removing them from the water. Also, steelhead with floy tags or with holes punch in their tails must also be released.

Anglers that are heading down to the Hanford Reach to fish for salmon should be aware that they can now retain marked steelhead, too. There are three sections of the main stem Columbia open from Highway 395 Bridge upstream to Priest Rapids Dam, and they have the same opening date, but different closing dates.

It is important that those who plan to fish for steelhead go to the Department of Fish and Wildlife web site for all the details pertaining to these new fisheries. There is boundary information and other regulations that relate to each of these steelhead seasons.