Looks like you all get to fish for Steelhead in the Methow and Wenatchee this fall and next spring. Rumor has it that it'll be a split season with most of the winter closed. No opening date announced so far.
Ira, just rent a room at the new hotel in pateros and watch the locals. They will show you how to boober fish right of the docks in the park. We always stay there when fishing Rufus woods just to watch the boober show sometimes I even join in!!!!!!Then they will all move in when it is closed in the winter and be completely dispersed by the time they open it again, keeping the fisherman spread out as well. Time to learn how to nymph the Columbia.
The cougar is a non-issue, a whole pack of wolverines moved into the are and have seriously f--ked up the local cat population. With the cats gone, they can now pick off fisherman. But go, enjoy.Ed, and don't forget the cougar we saw across the river last year right in Twisp.
Plus, rumor is that there is a Jaguar that likes to roam the banks of the Methow too, LOL!