Sauk River Washington Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Click Here to see our Steelhead Flies: Click Here to see our Salmon Flies.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Steelhead (native and hatchery)
Bull Trout
Chum Salmon
Coho Salmon
Dolly Varden Char
Size
Small to Medium
Location
Northwest Washington
Nearest Towns
Arlington
Rockport
Darrlington
Season
Winter steelhead, Jan-April: (March
and April Catch and Release Only)
Fishing season open June 1-April 30
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of Washington
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Level Data:
Saulk River near Saulk
Seasons:
Spring:
The season opens June 1.
Summer:
There are a few Bull Trout taken in the Summer.
Fall:
Fall fishing can be good for Dolly Varden after the Glacier freezes and before the winter rains begin. Chum and Coho salmon are in the river during the Fall.
Winter:
Hatchery Steelhead enter the river in January. March through April is prime winter steelhead time
Recommended Tackle & Gear
For Steelhead and Salmon
Fly Line:
7, 8 , 9 or 10 weight for appropriate typerod, sinking, sinking tip and floating
Leaders:
10#, 12# in 9 to 15 feet lengths
Tippets:
10# and 12#
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly 7, 8, 9 and 10 ft. single hand rods
Fly Reels:
For 7 to 10 weight lines
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
KISS Strike Indicators, Lanyards, etc.
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Sauk River Washington
The Sauk is a Wild and Scenic River that’s formed in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. It’s an undammed, freestone river that’s a tributary of the Skagit River. The Sauk River is one of the best wild steelhead streams in Washington.
Glaciers provide the clear, cold water but heavy rainfall from runoff caused by the clear cutting of timber can turn the river into a muddy mess. Steelhead fishing is usually best in March and April and that coincides with the heaviest rainfall of the year. Catching the river just right is a hit and miss proposition that should be taken into account prior to traveling there to fish. Fly fishing the Sauk River can be a very rewarding experience, but timing is very important. The wild steelhead range upwards to fifteen and twenty pounds but probably average ten pounds.
The Saulk is a rough and tumble river. Fly fishing the Sauk River can be done by drifting the stream but it can also be dangerous in areas. Access is fairly good. Highway #550 runs along the river and provides access in several areas. From a drift boat standpoint, the Sauk River is generally broken down into three areas accessible from three public boat launches. The launches are located at Darrington Bridge, the Suiattle River tributary, and above the South Skagit Highway Bridge. Faber’s Landing is the takeout for the last drift.
The upper area below Darrlington down to the Suiattle River is a small stream with limited access. The section below the Suiattle River confluence has heavier flows, faster water and is full of large boulders. The lower section levels out some as it flows through a valley. It’s wider and even meanders some with sand and gravel bars mixed in with the deeper runs.