Top places to plunk for winter steelhead
Washington fishing map feature
DEMING, Wash. — If you're eager to catch a steelhead, but don't have a boat or chest waders, don't worry, it's still possible. The technique of "plunking" can be as effective as any other tactic under the right conditions.
When rivers are slightly off-color and dropping, or when drift fishing or running a float and jig is not possible, go plunking and let the fish come to you.
Get started: You'll need a stout rod matched with a baitcasting reel spooled up with 10 to 20-pound test.
Off the swivel's other eye, tie an 18 to 24-inch leader to a Spin-N-Glo, Cheater, Corky-and-yarn, foam, glo ball or plug. Loop in shrimp, eggs, prawns and nightcrawlers off a 1/0 hook. (Use red beads between lure and bait to prevent line twist.)
Places to go: There are literally hundreds of places you can find good steelhead plunking water, largely on lower rivers. Here is a snapshot of the more popular and proven areas:
Nooksack River
Cable Hole, below the confluence of North and South forks near Deming.
Best time: From December through February.
Get there: I-5 north to Bellingham, east on Highway 542 (Exit 255) to Deming or north on Highway 9 to Deming from Sedro-Woolley or Arlington.
Contact: H&H Angler & Outfitter (360-733-2050) in Bellingham
Skagit River
Young's Bar in Mount Vernon.Best time: December through February when the river is running slightly up and slightly off-color.
Get there: Young's Bar is located right in the town of Mt. Vernon. Take I-5 north from Seattle or south from Bellingham.
Contact: Holiday Market (360-757-4361) in Burlington, Sports and More (360-855-0648) in Sedro-Woolley, Northern Sales (360-424-8522) in Mt. Vernon.
Stillaguamish River
Below 1-5 near Silvana; several locations.
Best time: Run peaks in January and February.
Get there: I-5 north or south to exit 208 (Silvana/Arlington). Head west on Highway 530 (Pioneer Highway).
Take a right on 7th Avenue NE to fish under I-5, or continue farther west and take a right on Hevly Road and follow it to the river to fish below the mouth of Pilchuck Creek.
Contact: Hook, Line and Sinker (360-435-5052) in Arlington.
Snohomish River
Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve at Thomas' Eddy.
Best time: Early December through January, when the river has more than 2 feet of visibility.
Get there: From the town of Snohomish, south on Highway 9 to East Lowell-Larimer Road, left on Broadway, left on Connelly Road. Google this address: 14913 Connelly Road, Snohomish.
Contact: John's Sporting Goods (425-259-3056) in Everett.
Skykomish River
Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe:
Best time: December through February.
Get there: From Highway 2 in Monroe, head south on Lewis Street (State Route 203).
The parking lot is on your right just before you hit the bridge over the Sky. From Fall City and Carnation, head north on 203 to Monroe.
Contact: Three Rivers Marine (425-415-1575) in Woodinville.
Ben Howard Ramp
Best time: December through February.
Get there: From Monroe, head south on Highway 203 (Lewis Steet) and take a left on Ben Howard Road.
From the south, take 203 to Monroe and take a right on Ben Howard Road.
The boat launch/plunking area will be about 2 miles on your left.
Contact: Sky Valley Traders (360-794-8818) in Monroe.
Snoqualmie River
Big Eddy at the mouth of Tokul Creek.
Best time: December and January.
Get there: I-90 east from Seattle to Exit 25 (Snoqualmie Parkway), left on Highway 202 and follow signs to the Tokul Creek Fish Hatchery.
Contact: Outdoor Emporium (206-624-6550) in Seattle.
Green River
Auburn Golf Course and the Sea-Tac KOA campground in Kent.
Best time: Mid-December to mid-January.
Get there: From I-5, east on Highway 18 to Auburn or east on 516 to Kent.
The Auburn Golf Course is at 29630 Green River Road SE in Auburn and the KOA is at 5801 S. 212th St. in Kent.
Contact: Auburn Sports and Marine (253-833-1440).
Puyallup River
Below the mouth of the White River and along the North Levee Road downstream of Highway 161 in Puyallup.
Best time: December through February.
Get there: Highway 167 south from Renton or east on 167 from Tacoma.
Contact: Auburn Sports and Marine (253-833-1440).
Skokomish River
Hunters Farm.
Best time: December through February.
Get there: Highway 101 north of Shelton to Purdy Cutoff Road. Look for deep holes and slots.
Must fish on the south shore, not on Skokomish tribal land.
Special note: A fee is charged to access this area.
Contact: Verle's (360-426-0933) in Shelton.
Wynoochee River
Black Creek and Lion's Club Bar.
Best time: Late December into January, with opportunity through March.
Get there: Take Highway 12 to Montesano and head up the Wynoochee Valley Road; turn left at Devonshire Road to access the bar, or continue upriver to Black Creek.
Contact: Failor's Sporting Goods (360-533-3762) in Aberdeen.
Cowlitz River
Camelot Drive.
Best time: Big fish dominate in December and smaller fish dominate in January and February.
Get there: I-5 to Castle Rock and west to Highway 411 (Westside Highway).
Head south on 411; Camelot Drive will be on your left.
Contact: Four Corners General Store (360-274-8111) in Castle Rock.
Kalama River
Beginners Hole below the Lower Kalama Fish Hatchery and "The Jetty" 500 feet below Mahaffey's Campground.
Best time: December through March.
Get there: I-5 south or north to Exit 32. Head east up the Kalama River Road to the pullout before Mahaffey's store, or continue upriver to the pullout opposite the hatchery.
Contact: Mahaffey's (360-673-4488).
Lewis River
The mouth and just above the Lewis River Hatchery.
Best time: December through February.
Get there: To reach the mouth, take I-5 to Woodland Exit 22 and west on Dike Access Road and south on Dike Road.
For the upper river, take I-5 to Woodland and head east on Highway 503 (Lewis River Road), then turn right onto the Old Lewis River Road to above the hatchery.
Contact: Fishermen's Depot (360-225-9900) in Woodland.
Bogachiel River
Tall Timbers and the steel bridge on Goodman Mainline.
Best time: December and January for hatchery steelhead; January to March for wild fish.
Get there: Tall Timbers; From Highway 101 just east of Forks, take La Push Road (Highway 110) and follow it past the Quillayute cutoff road; look for blue gate ½ to three-fourths-mile on your left.
Goodman Mainline; follow Highway 110 a bit further and take a left at Goodman Mainline Road and follow it to the river.
Contact: Three Rivers Resort (360-374-5300) and Forks Outfitters (360-374-6161), both in Forks.
Quillayute River
Richwine Bar.
Best time: December through March.
Get there: Highway 101 just east of Forks to LaPush Road (Highway 110), then right on Mora Road (Three Rivers Resort) and left on Richwine.
The road will turn to gravel; follow it right out to the bar.
Contact: Olympic Sporting Goods (360-374-6330) in Forks.
Hoh River
Allen's Bar.
Best time: December through March.
Get there: Allen's is located just south of the Highway 101 bridge The road to the bar is not marked, and anglers are asked to pay a $5 donation.
Special note: Half of the bar was washed away during early November's floods, according to a local guide.
Contact: Olympic Sporting Goods (360-374-6330) in Forks.
Columbia River
Ringold Hatchery area.
Best time: December through January.
Get there: Head north on Columbia River Road and Taylor Flats Road out of West Pasco.
Take a left on Ringold Road and follow it to the hatchery.
Contact: Motyka's Bait and Tackle (509-375-6028) in Richland.
Snake River
The Wall below Little Goose Dam.
Best time: December through March.
Get there: East or west on Highway 12 north of Dayton to Delaney and west on State Route 261 to Starbuck and Little Goose Road.
Contact: Darver Tackle (509-399-2015) in Starbuck.
Nisqually John Landing
Best time: December to March.
Get there: Head east on Highway 12 to Clarkston. Cross the river and head west on Highway 193 (Wawawai Road).
Contact: Water's Edge (509-758-2474) in Clarkston.
Material from Fishing & Hunting News
published 24 times a year.
Visit them at www.fishingandhuntingnews.com.
