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Relearn the turbid Sauk for big metalheads
Washington fishing map feature
By Joel Shangle
Fishing and Hunting News
DARRINGTON, Wash. — The definition of the word "enigma" is as follows: one that
is puzzling, ambiguous or inexplicable.
The definition of "world class steelhead" is a little more black and white: anything over 20 pounds.
If there's one North End stream that perfectly fits both definitions, it's the Sauk River. This tributary of the Skagit is legendary for its massive wild steelhead, but it's just as well known for a fickle nature that makes it one of the most volatile, challenging winter fisheries in the state. Tumbling out of the Cascades through a drainage whose physical composition changes dramatically from year to year, it's next to impossible to pattern, even in typical water years.
"Nobody has even seen the doggone thing yet this year because it's been blown out, so what you're going to find in regards to favorite holes is a total crapshoot." "I'll tell you one thing, though: It takes a commitment and years of time to figure that river out, and even then, you never really know what kind of conditions you'll be dealing with." Muddy waters ahead One thing you can unfortunately predict this year on the Sauk is water clarity running from stained to mud brown. Don't expect it to be even remotely fishable before March. "We had another slide with the last flood that really wrecked it, so it's going to be awhile for that one to come down again." Water watching If and when the Sauk falls back into fishable shape, the most valuable asset you can have is an ability to analyze the conditions. "What you need is an ability to read water "You need to be able to decode what the river is telling you. If I'm going up there for the first time, I'm looking for areas out of the main body with broken surface. I'm looking for boulder gardens and current seams where old mossback steelhead might be holding." If you can break that code, though, the potential rewards are as good as you'll find in any river in the world. "You can get that once-in-a-lifetime fish on the Sauk "It'll take you back to the roots of this sport: scenery, solitude and big steelhead."
Sectioning the Sauk
The Sauk can be broken down into three very definitive sections: the upper mainstem from the Whitechuck River to Darrington; Darrington to the Suiattle River; the Suiattle to the Sauk's confluence with the Skagit near Rockport.
It's a small, tight, pockety, rocky stream with scattered public access via Forest Road 22, but it's capable of producing big fish. "The brush is close to the creek and there's a lot of private property up there, but steelhead spawn all the way up into the Whitechuck," Nelson said. "That part of the river is one of the last frontiers in this area. It's labor intensive, but you could be rewarded for that work with a big, big fish." "There are some huge Dollies there, too, and they're there for a reason: they're feeding on eggs and smolts."
Between there and the take-out just below the mouth of the Suiattle, you'll typically find a mix of rocky pockets and gravelly slots that are picture-perfect holding spots for big metalheads. "If the water allows, that drift from Darrington to the Suiattle is the one drift where you should concentrate your time," "It's a lot like some of the Peninsula streams there — you have some classic steelhead water there, and you don't have to deal with the added turbidity of the Suiattle. Some of the best holding water in the river is on that middle section." Start the drift by plugging the water on the mill side, near the riprap, a slot that's produced the biggest North End fish "Before you even start your drift from the bridge, stop! Put the plugs out immediately and work that riprap." Moving further down, break out the floats and jigs and let them run through the seams and pockets between the mill and a point in the river that Nelson refers to as "Splitsville," a three-pronged channel that provides your first major challenge on the oars (take the channel furthest to the right). You can anchor drop and back your floats through the seams before Splitsville, but take your time," he said. "If you get in a hurry and don't work this stuff over well, you're doing yourself a disservice. Some of the best boulders and pockets in the state are in that part of the river." Below Splitsville, the river settles out into a slower flat not unlike Wallace Flats on the Skykomish. This is a great place to break out Jake the Snake and spend some time floating through the seams and pockets between there and the Suiattle. "Right below Splitsville, the river comes back together into a nice flat, slow pool that's pink worm city," "From there down you can cast or float onto the seams, or back a couple of pink worms through kinda like you would with plugs." "Adjust them so they're about a foot off the bottom and let them dance right into the back eddies. That's not a real good fast-water technique, so you have to pick your spots."
"Once you have the influence of the Suiattle, you get a lot more sand," "Steelies won't hold in that very much. They'll hold down in the Skagit because they're still trying to figure out 'Right or left', but once they commit to that home water response and then hit the sandy stuff in the lower Sauk, they just keep right on trucking." Holding grounds in the lower section include Rinker Creek and Hilt Creek, but from there down, you're better off pushing on your oars and scooting down to the Sauk Pool and the river's confluence with the Skagit. This section might be worth a little more time, though, if the slides further upriver are pumping mud through the middle section.
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Copyright © 2007 Last Modified 8-21-07
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