Stillaguamish River Fishing Report updated 10/05/23
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Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies 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. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
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.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Steelhead (Native and Hatchery)
Sea-run Cutthroat Trout
Chinook Salmon (Closed)
Chum Salmon
Pink Salmon
Coho Salmon
Dolly Varden
Size
Medium to Large
Location
Northwestern Washington
Nearest Towns
Arlington
Season
June 1 – February
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of Washington
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream data:
NF Near Arlington
Seasons:
The season is closed during March, April and May to protect the spawning native steelhead.
Spring:
The river is closed to fishing during most of the Spring.
Summer:
Summertime is the best time for the steelhead with July being the top month.
Fall:
Good fishing continues on into the early Fall. It’s the best time for the sea-run cutthroats. October is the best
month for the Coho Salmon.
Winter:
The water is usually very high in the Winter although a winter run of hatchery occurs. January and February are
the top months. Chum salmon can be caught in November.
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.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
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.
Fly Fishing the Stillaguamish River Washington
The Stillaguamish River, locally called the “Stilly”, is located in northwest Washington about an hours drive from Seattle. It’s formed by its North and South Forks. This river is considered one of the top steelhead fishing destinations in the country. Both of its branches rise in the Cascades. The two forks join at Arlington and flow to the north end of Port Susan in the Puget Sound.
The North Fork, approximately 45 miles long, begins from several small streams near Finney Peak. Boulder River and Deer Creek are two of its many tributaries. The Summer run of native steelhead use Deer Creek for their spawning grounds. Fly fishing the Stillaguamish River is nothing new. The North Fork of the Stillaguamish River was the first ever designated “fly fishing only” river.
The South Fork, approximately 30 miles long, also forms in the Cascades and is the lesser fished branch. The main branch is approximately 20 miles long. Steelhead are caught in the South Fork but not near as many as the North Fork.
In addition to a Winter and Summer runs of steelhead, the lower river also has a late Fall run of cutthroat trout from the sea. There’s also four species of salmon that use the river to spawn but only Pink Salmon can be taken on their every other year run. The winter run of hatchery steelhead are usually difficult to take on the fly due to the high water levels.
Rainfall is a problem for the lower section of the North Fork below Deer Creek. From August into the Winter, it is usually blown out. The water remains fairly clear above Deer Creek most of the time.
Stillaguamish River Fishing Report
04/26/21 The fishing season is closed until the first of June. Send us an email or call us to help you plan that next fly fishing trip to the river.
06/02/21 The season opened yesterday and there should be fish coming into the river. Let us hear from you. https://perfectflystore.com/product-category/flies/perfect-generic-steelhead-salmon-flies/pacific-steelhead/
07/28/21 Our customers are catching some decent numbers of summer steelhead. The river is flowing low but fish still eat in low water.
09/29/21 Stream levels are up high and salmon are coming into the river. Now is the time to get your gear and flies ready.
10/27/21 Sea run cutts and Coho salmon are being caught in good numbers.
11/11/21 More good reports came in on Coho this past week.
11/29/21 We were getting good reports from customers catching coho and chum salmon but the high water levels due to recent rain has the fishing shut down. Fish as soon as it drops.
12/14/21 The stream levels are down to a little above normal levels and we are getting good reports on salmon again.
01/16/22 The stream is high but we received a good report from a customer catching hatchery steelhead.
04/29/22 Get ready for summer steelhead. Let us help you with flies and gear selections. They should start coming into the river anytime now, if not already.
06/22/22 Sorry for the late reports. Summer steelhead are in the river and being caught in decent numbers. Write us for a fly list.
06/29/22 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches taking place. Summer runs are being caught in good numbers by our customers.
07/06/22 We didn’t get any reports from anyone but summer steelhead fishing should be good. There are good hatches. Let us hear from you.
09/10/22 Sea run cutts and Coho salmon are in the river and some are being caught.
11/01/22 The rain is bringing in more Coho. We have been getting good reports from customers fishing for Coho and it should remain good when the water falls back down.
11/17/22 Coho continue to be caught. Get ready for steelhead season coming up soon.
01/03/23 Conditions are not very good at this time as there is heavy snow in the forecast. When it clears the stream volume should increase and bring in a lot of fish.
04/14/23 05/14/23 Now is the time to get your flies and gear ready for the new season usually starting June 1st.
06/12/23 Summer run steelhead are coming in the river.
06/29/23 We received one good report on Summer runs. Let us hear from you.
08/24/23 We received a good report on summer steelhead. The river is low and needs rain badly.
09/07/23 Stream levels are still very low. You have to use caution to keep from spooking the fish.
10/05/23 The stream is closed to fishing due to low water levels.
Click Here to see our Steelhead Flies: Click Here to see our Salmon 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.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh