Where to go Fly Fishing in Washington - Updated January 2, 2026
Happy New Year! We're off to an interesting start after the crazy rain we received in December but the rivers have dropped and exposed lots of new changes. Rivers like the Skagit/Sauk, Skykomish, and probably just about every river have destroyed some great holes and probably created just as many new ones. The good news is that we still have some good fishing to be had in Washington in the month of January 2026.
Steelhead
Skykomish River -- We haven't had much in the way of reports yet, but there are some fish showing up at the Reiter Ponds hatchery so there should be some fresh winter steelhead in the Skykomish on their way up river. Usually around now, we here of a few encounters with wild fish in addition to hatchery fish. The Sky will be open through the end of January and would be worth a day on the water. If you are floating it, it would probably be wise to scout your boat ramps just to be on the safe side. Right now, the Sky is at 3,280 ft3/sec so it is at a great level, if not a bit low.
Skagit/Sauk Rivers -- Jordan fished the Sauk yesterday and only found a couple bull trout, but the water was in great shape and had perfect color. It is on the early side for the Sauk, but the crowds are low and the water looks good except for a bunch of changes to the river. The lower Skagit would be a good choice right now, looking for bright fish just entering the system. You'll probably have to limit your fishing to the month of January on the Skagit/Sauk this year. It doesn't look like we're going to have a Feb-Apr C&R season on the Skagit system due to budget limitations at WDFW for monitoring this fishery. It is a shame. Lots of folks are hoping they will incorporate a special stamp for the C&R season. Would you pay and extra $10, $25, $50 or more dollars for a Skagit River Sal/Steel Endorsement stamp in order to have a spring steelhead season on the Skagit? Most anglers are saying they would be more than happy to do so...
PFF's Jordan Rae admires a beautiful Skagit River fresh winter steelhead caught in the early season of 2025. The Skagit and Sauk are in perfect shape right now (Jan 2, 2026) and offer worthy opportunities for bright fish just entering the river.
If you do fish the Skagit/Sauk in January and are floating the river, definitely check your boat ramps if you are trailering a drift boat, raft, etc. Some of the ramps are out of commission from the flooding in December.
Olympic Peninsula Rivers -- January is a prime month on the Olympic Peninsula rivers as a large percentage of the hatchery steelhead will return by the end of the month. We've heard good reports for the Bogachiel. The Sol Duc is likely seeing the same. The Queets would be an interesting bet as well and the Hoh should be game on in February and later.
Trout
Rivers – January is looking pretty dang cold at the moment but fishing the Skagit or Sauk for bull trout should be a good bet, especially on warmer days or later in the day. Swing white, black and olive streamers on a single-hand rod or a switch or light Spey rod. Fishing the slightly deeper water just below a shallow riffle is usually a good place to begin looking for hungry bull trout. Swing or strip your streamers and cover lots of water and you'll likely find fish.
The Yakima is at fishable levels now and a few warmer days reaching into the 40's will probably have some fish looking for easy meals. Some good flies to take on a January Yakima trip would include Dave's Neo Twenty Incher, the Tungsten Zebra Midge, the Micro-Stone - Dark, the Tungsten Rainbow Warrior, and maybe the Griffith's Gnat in case you encounter some midge sippers. Also, don’t forget to take a few Gummy Worms, especially if you're there during a shot of rain. Nymphing slower water areas next to a mild current seam is probably the best best but streamers on a trout Spey would be a great day as well. Fish them slow this time of year. Steamers like Coffey's Conehead Sparkle Minnow, the Dolly Llama, or JR's Streamer swinging through a deep, slow water run could find something to make the day warmer.
Rocky Ford is a good idea for a January trip as well. Watch those weather forecasts for the warmer periods and make a road trip. This unique trout fishery regularly produces giant trout in the 18 to 24 inch range. Fish over 20-inches won't even turn heads on Rocky Ford. Some days the fishing can be really easy. Other days it can be seriously tough. Since Rocky Ford is a spring creek, the water temperatures are fairly stable and the fish will feed all year long. This time of year, plan to fish either streamers or small nymphs and scuds. A good fly box this time of year might include flies like the Coffee's Sparkle Minnow in Pearl, Swede's Rabbit Leech - Black, Jon's Hot Spot Czech Scud - Pink, RIOS's Scud - Tan, the Jujubee Midge - Zebra, and the Tungsten Zebra Midge - Red.
Lakes – Our popular westside trout lakes like Pass Lake and Lone Lake are open all year long. Vogler Lake near Concrete, WA is another fly fishing only lake that is open all year long. On a low-wind day, fishing in January can be comfortable and quite productive. We've had some good reports from both Pass Lake and Lone Lake in the past couple days. Our own, Maveryke Hines fished with a buddy and had a 10 fish day on Pass with some really big fish. From the looks of it, they were wanting to spawn but were willing to eat balanced leeches under an indicator. Other customers have done well with Gummy Worms under an indicator.
Pass Lake can produce some good fishing in January. Here, PFF's Maveryke Hines poses with a late December rainbow that is certainly showing his spawning colors.
Another good gameplan for this time of year would be to use full-sinking lines with leech patterns like the Hale Bopp Leech – Brown or the Ruby Eyed Leech in Canadian Olive. Fish these flies in deeper water, fish them on the slow side and keep the fly as close to the bottom as possible with small strips. The strike can be very subtle this time of year so set the hook with a strip-set on any indication of weight on the end of the line.
Puget Sound Saltwater
Sea-run cutthroat trout fly fishing in Puget Sound can be good all year long. We had some pretty good reports in December from guys fishing the southern portions of the Sound. Hopefully, this extends into January. Usually in January we get some calm, wind-free days and an afternoon tide with decently warm daytime temps could be the makings for the fun day on the beaches.
Try to hit more than one beach during the day, paying attention to tides and trying to stay on moving water. Fish intermediate sinking lines, fluorocarbon leaders and flies like the Baitfish Minnow, Deception, or Flashy Lady. Remember to pinch your barbs down to stay legal and to aid in releasing the fish unharmed.
Summary
Give us a call if we can help with further advice or equipment, flies, etc. Hope you get out and take advantage of Washington's year-round fly fishing season and remember to check back for an update to our February report.
-- Michael
Pacific Fly Fishers
Ph: 425-742-2402
Email: Info@PacificFlyFishers.com