The Methow River

The Methow Valley located in North Central Washington is and continues to be one of the best-kept secrets in the entire Pacific Northwest. With a myriad of outdoor activities to choose from, the Methow Valley has served as a sportsmen's paradise for Washingtonians for decades now. Just one of the many activities practiced in the Methow Valley is fly-fishing for Summer Run Steelhead on the pristine, Methow River.

With classic riffle and bolder strewn run after classic run, the Methow River is truly a Steel-heading paradise. This magnificent river affords fly fishermen of every skill level the distinct opportunity to swinging flies, fish heavily weighted wet flies and nymphs or skate and wake dry flies for the most sought after game fish in the world, the Pacific Northwest Steelhead.

The Methow River originates high in the North Cascades Mountain Range and meanders through six major vegetation zones with precipitation ranging from 100 inches to 10 inches a year. The Methow dashes, darts cutting its way over eons of time across large river rock boulders as mountain snows thaw during the warming months of spring.

Eventually, the Methow converges with the mother of all steelhead rivers, the Columbia River at the small town of Pateros, Washington. Salmon and steelhead returning to the Methow system must navigate over 500 miles upriver from the salty waters of the Pacific Ocean, while breaching 9 mainstream Columbia River dam passages. A phenomenal feat of nature in its own right.

In their lifetime, these magnificent Pacific Ocean going fish breach these man made obstacles twice. They pass over the dams on the way to the ocean and upon their return to the Methow River. Here salmon and some steelhead will perform their last living passage, the spawning ritual. 

Surrounded by farmland, timber and bushy, green meadows, the Methow River is truly a fly-fishing paradise, running clean and clear for much of the season. Remaining relatively wild, it is not uncommon to see numerous mule deer feeding along the river or road, eagles and osprey picking at a decaying salmon carcass or the occasional wild turkey sighting. Experience this wild life adventure while you cast flies for some of Washington States finest steelhead east of the Cascades Mountain Range.

 The Methow River steelhead are a summer run species that enter the Columbia river between the months of June and July. Typically they make their way up river in force during the first couple weeks of September. This however, is dependant solely on the amount of water in both the Columbia and Methow River systems. With high water flow, fish tend to arrive early to the system. During periods of low water and a warm Columbia River watershed, steelhead movements will slow until water conditions improve. Once flows increase and water temperatures recede, steelhead resume their up stream travels.

Low returning Steelhead numbers in the mid nineties prompted an indefinite closure of all sport fishing for salmon and steelhead in the Methow River as well as many other Upper Columbia River tributaries. Since that time, the returning numbers of Steelhead has steadily risen in the Upper Columbia River, due in part to an intensive hatchery rearing program spearheaded by several local, state and private fisheries agencies.
In September of 2002, a “special emergency” opening for catch and release fishing was prompted on the Methow River. To say fishing was good is the understatement of the decade with anglers catching almost unheard of numbers of steelhead on a daily basis. Since then, the steelhead numbers have continued to grow, prompting special openings each year in October for steelhead on the Methow system.

Each year we eagerly anticipate the opening of the Methow River, generally during the first few days of October.

The Worley Bugger guide team attacks the Methow differently than some, opting not for a boat, but for a vehicle. It’s our belief that it is better to have the option to access the entire 35 miles of fishable river as opposed to roughly only 8 to 10 miles in a drift boat, raft or pontoon style boat. By October flows are generally low in the Methow and you will spend more time fighting the rocks and low water then you will with a steelhead. Having the ability to travel up or down the road in warm, comfortable vehicle is a much more productive way to fish this river this time of year.

Anyone who has fished the Methow before knows that at times the fish are in the lower river, sometimes holding in the upper portions, and many days they are in both the upper and lower portions of river. Either way we will be prepared to fish the Methow River with maximum versatility. Utilizing the entire river instead of one specific section of water increase the chances of hooking up and landing a magnificent Methow River Steelhead.

 If you would like to experience this incredible river for yourself, please contact us well in advanced to insure your day of fishing. A representative of Worley Bugger Fly Co. will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have. 888-950-FISH.

Full Day Guided Trip-1 or 2 person: $475.00 WADING ONLY. June 1st-Nov. 30th.

Flies, Rod, and Reel are provided.

A full day trip give the anglers 8+ hours on the water.  Anglers are also treated to a riverside lunch with a choice of BBQ steak or chicken or a deli lunch.

(Methow River Steelhead trips are wade only trips for one or two people..)

A Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement is Required to fish the Klickitat.  You may purchase this endorsement when you buy your fishing license.

A Maximum Occupancy of 2 Anglers per boat.  Multi Boat Trips are Available Year Round.
Rental Waders and Boots are Available for an additional $25.00. 
All rental waders are new Simms G3 Waders.

TO BOOK A TRIP CALL: 509 962 2033 or Toll Free at: 888 950 FISH

If your guide provides you with gear for the day you are responisble for it.  If any damages occurs to guide gear during your trip your Credit Card will be charged for the repair fees.  A signature for this new policy will be due before your trip in our Pro-Shop.
For our reschedule/cancellation/return policy click here.