Al Borlin Park

[DannyLeslie]

Has anyone fished the steelies at al Borlin park hust outside of Monroe yet? I don't wanna drive to Reiter since its blown out as I've heard. Other options for me are the Skagit, stilly, pilchuck creek and pilchuck river for steelies right now.

[rcthepirate]

Reiter is high but still fishing. I went up for three short 2-3 hour trips this weekend on friday, saturday, and sunday and got a fish every day. If Reiter is "blown out," I wouldn't really expect a spot that is lower in the river to be a whole lot better.

[rcthepirate]

Oh ya, and the Pilchuck River is definitely closed so don't fish there. Pilchuck Creek is open though.

[tsath24]

Al Borlin should be pretty blown out as well. Plus I don't think they'll hang out around there they just shoot straight up to the hatchery and sit there.

rcthepirate, were you fishing to the left or right of where you walk down to the river?

[rcthepirate]

I was fishing to the right, on the hatchery side. I only fish the highway side when the river is running really low. Drift gear was the key this weekend. 8 lb. leader, no.4 hooks, size 14 corkies (the really little ones), and a small tuft of yarn in the egg loop with a dab of scent on it right in the middle (I prefer procure shrimp, but I would feel just as confident with none at all given the conditions). In spite of the high water the visibility is still decent, and they like this little package. There are plenty of fish in there, you just got to figure out what they want so change up your colors frequently.

[tsath24]

I was fishing to the right, on the hatchery side. I only fish the highway side when the river is running really low. Drift gear was the key this weekend. 8 lb. leader, no.4 hooks, size 14 corkies (the really little ones), and a small tuft of yarn in the egg loop with a dab of scent on it right in the middle (I prefer procure shrimp, but I would feel just as confident with none at all given the conditions). In spite of the high water the visibility is still decent, and they like this little package. There are plenty of fish in there, you just got to figure out what they want so change up your colors frequently.

Thanks for the tip. I guess the fish are all to the right side, I've been fishing on the left. Definitely fish in there with this high water, can't imagine them going anywhere but up to the hatchery. I'm also assuming you're fishing closer to the bank as opposed to in the middle where the current is much faster.

[DannyLeslie]

Pilchuck creek will have fish right?

[rcthepirate]

I didn't have any luck fishing right at my feet this weekend, nor did I get anything casting way out in the middle. All of my fish came from somewhere in between. I mainly focus on picking out current seems and try to get my gear on the slow side of them. Also, don't make the mistake of thinking they are always going to be right there by the hatchery. If the hatchery area isn't fishing, don't hesitate to hoof it down to the cable hole. I actually heard more people were pulling fish out down there on Sunday than up by the hatchery. These summer run fish aren't ready to spawn yet for quite some time, so they aren't as attached to the hatchery area, and therefore they will definitely move around a bit.

As for Pilchuck Creek, I couldn't really tell you. I've never fished it, and don't know anyone who has, nor do I even know anything about it except that it is a tributary of the stilly. If you fish it you should post a report!

[tsath24]

I didn't have any luck fishing right at my feet this weekend, nor did I get anything casting way out in the middle. All of my fish came from somewhere in between. I mainly focus on picking out current seems and try to get my gear on the slow side of them. Also, don't make the mistake of thinking they are always going to be right there by the hatchery. If the hatchery area isn't fishing, don't hesitate to hoof it down to the cable hole. I actually heard more people were pulling fish out down there on Sunday than up by the hatchery. These summer run fish aren't ready to spawn yet for quite some time, so they aren't as attached to the hatchery area, and therefore they will definitely move around a bit.

As for Pilchuck Creek, I couldn't really tell you. I've never fished it, and don't know anyone who has, nor do I even know anything about it except that it is a tributary of the stilly. If you fish it you should post a report!

Yeah I definitely agree on not isolating any one part of the river system. You're probably right about the summer runs moving around a lot more as well being that they're not ready to spawn. For most my time fishing there the past weekend I was really only fishing the seams with both float and drift gear with eggs...Nothing came of it though, guess I'll have to try harder next time. That cable hole is to the right past those rapids aren't they?

Al Borlin is actually one of my favorite wholes to fish, my buddy actually caught a bright chrome winter run last year there.

[rcthepirate]

Ya it's below that first set of rapids by the gravel pit. There are trails on the hatchery side that will take you down there.

[bugmasta]

So is the cable whole on the highway side or the hatchery side? I fished the highway side on Monday with no luck.

[rcthepirate]

Both. It's the same hole no matter what side you fish it from. And its downstream from the main Reiter area.

[natetreat]

So is the cable whole on the highway side or the hatchery side? I fished the highway side on Monday with no luck.

The last place we fished was the Cable Hole. The long walk down the trail. It's been tough, but we got one yesterday up at reiter too. Fish are in there. High water has been good.

[DannyLeslie]

Might head up this weekend and try.

[tsath24]

Should be pretty decent this weekend, the river should drop into shape some...Let us know how it went...

[bugmasta]

think i might make an early morning run tomorrow.

[DannyLeslie]

My buddy and I are going up later in the afternoon cause he has to work.

On another note, I hit the Pilchuck Creek and nothing on there. Was pretty low to could almost wade across the rntire thing.

[tsath24]

think i might make an early morning run tomorrow.

Are you heading to Reiter?

[bugmasta]

think i might make an early morning run tomorrow.

Are you heading to Reiter?

i was at reiter by 11 after working the lower part of the river. too many people not knowing what they are doing for my taste. when the guy 2 spots up from me was long lining his 10'6" rod 50 yds down river, it was time to go. waiting longer to cast then it takes to make a drift is not my idea of a good time. gonna stick to the lower part of the river where i can actually "fish" and not fight for space.

[tsath24]

think i might make an early morning run tomorrow.

Are you heading to Reiter?

i was at reiter by 11 after working the lower part of the river. too many people not knowing what they are doing for my taste. when the guy 2 spots up from me was long lining his 10'6" rod 50 yds down river, it was time to go. waiting longer to cast then it takes to make a drift is not my idea of a good time. gonna stick to the lower part of the river where i can actually "fish" and not fight for space.

I was there for a bit too on Friday morning at the top to the left and worked my way down. Only saw one big trout caught by the time I left. Haha can definitely understand not wanting to fight for the spot. First time I've seen grown men run to get a spot at 6am though haha!