Stillwater

Spring is in the air and with spring brings the beautiful vibrant colors of the Methow. The hills begin to turn green and the river brown. The flowers on the hills bloom almost to make a painting by Ginger Reddington. Locals burn weeds and dead grass to get a head start on lawn maintenance and fire control. The sun is more potent now and there is usually always a mild gust of wind. Businesses are getting prepared for the big summer months and patiently await for the pass to be opened. For us it's the low land lake opener. As we put down our 7wt fly rods and 10 lbs tippets and leaders for steelhead, we pick up our 4wt rods and begin rigging them for the still water of the low land Methow Lakes. The lakes that aren't covered in ice now fish great if they are open but as the ice melts from the surface of the lakes, we start seeing a rise in temperatures. The wind starts to turn sediments and nutrients up from the bottom of the lake, and the turn over begins. After this transition it will usually take a few weeks for the fishing to pick up again. The transition from steelhead fishing on the river to still water trout is huge. It's a break from the big casts and big bugs, essentially making small and fewer casts per day for smaller fish. For me it's the scenery, with every change of fishing season comes an evolution of scenery that is remarkable, and that for me is just as good as catching big fish. It gets you primed for the river opener in June and an opportunity to dial your equipment in to a tee. For some, it's a chance to wipe the dust of the old aluminum boat and trolling motor that never gets enough use. This is also a time to get the kids out on the water for the first time to teach them the basics of the fly cast and how to tie knots. Still water fly fishing is the best way for new fly fisherman to master the art of the cast. The Methow low land lake fishing opener is always highly anticipated by avid anglers and is a great way to get the family out on the water to have a ton of fun. The opening day is Saturday April 26th. Have Fun