Skagit River Newhalem Area

Natron_a,

The Skagit River in the Newhalem area isn't open to salmon fishing. There are small numbers of rainbow trout in the river, but I can't say that there are enough to target them. Gorge reservoir upstream of Gorge Dam is stocked with Ross Lake rainbow trout, and the upper part of it is accessible from shore. The Skagit River upstream of Ross Dam is more than steep; it's about 26 miles up the Ross Lake reservoir to where you encounter the free flowing upper Skagit River. Also, it's in Canada, so you need a B.C. fishing license. And you cannot drive there from Ross Dam or Newhalem. You'd have to drive around and enter B.C. at Sumas or another border crossing. If you just want some stream fishing for resident trout near Newhalem, drive up to the Newhalem Creek hydro diversion dam. It's on the gravel road past the NPS visitor center. Park at the end of the road, cross Newhalem Creek and hike upstream for a mile or so for decent fishing for rainbow trout averaging 9".

Sg

Ok this is the lowdown on the Cascade, dont float past Minerial creek campground, your golden. Past the campground your toast. Above the campground is an easy float. If everyone just had a copy of " A guide to the whitewater Rivers of Washington" by Jeff and Tonya Bennet or do some actual research people woud not classify a river as a death trap from one view from the road. The book has nearly every creek,stream, or river in Wa listed, pretty much a bible for new water

the upper skagit run from goodall campground to FS road 23 is the easist whitewater section people run, Ive got nearly 50 runs on that streach and 0 swimmers, but the "s" turns are a whitwater run to be done in rafts.

The Suiattle is not really close to your area, might as well hang out on the Sauk, the Suiattle is pure glacier water, not nice on the toes or conducive to flyfishing