Trade show season is here and calling all sportsmen and women. It is the time to ponder and think about what changes we will make to our game this year, and wonder at the opportunities to be had this coming season. Trade shows give us sportsmen an upfront and personal glance into new products, new technologies, current trends, seminars, show specials, fishing ponds, tackle talk, gear, guides, lodges, food, and even more. It’s worth getting out to a show near you. The NW is home to competitive sportsmen and women, and the NW Trade Show circuit comes out swinging, just like its sportsmen. This traveling circus changes from city to city, each attracting local vendors, manufacturers, NW brands, and national companies.

The NW trade shows are built upon this premise: To Educate, Equip, and Execute make the sportsman and the adventurer. The NW was built upon this premise. The shows encompass this. 

What to expect:

The Big Horn Show in Spokane is my favorite, and not just because it’s close to home. The Big Horn Show gets its name from its origin over 60 years ago, starting off as a competition for big game trophies using Boone and Crockett. It still brings in champion trophies, but alongside totes seminars, music, and some of the NW’s finest vendors and manufacturers. It’s a small city in a big town! Fly in! It's just a pond hop away. Proceeds go to INWC a 5013c.

Boise is home to Kyrptek. Making a presence with their camo apparel sale tent out front, Boise wears Kryptek proudly. They support the military and their local community. It’s Boy-see, not Boise, folks! Wear your boots! Buy a belt! It is also a pond hop away. Great access to the airport and nice hotels makes this a great weekend getaway. Buy luggage here to bring home your goods.

Tri Cities is sponsored by Griggs Ace Hardware! It’s a smaller show, but has all the fixings a show could offer.

Yakima! It’s not a big show and you will get to know people by the time you are through. It is a strong community. People here enjoy learning about new things going on in the industry, and I love that. The rifle range and the stories are prominent. The SunDome is fun, the people are friendly, and the tacos are muy bien. Bring the kids!

The Puyallup is a large show and brings in people far and wide: from Alaska to Nebraska, you will find it here. Stryker Rods comes in from Oregon, so pick up your NW manufactured rod while you have the chance. Buy an RV. Buy a boat. They have it in Puyallup. Book your hotel early for this one! Do the Puyallup!

Portland is the show that never ends. It goes on and on, my friends. Wear your Danner’s or your Nikes: you will get your steps in here. There is no sales tax in Oregon, so save 9% on top of the bargains already being offered. The beer flows in Portland, so be safe! Have fun! I wear my knife.

Wenatchee is home to Mack’s Lure. Go out and meet the legendary Bob Loomis and his younger self, Britton. Tell them Hillary sent you, and take a selfie! #NWFishing #MacksLure

The Big Sky Montana Sportsman’s Expo is here to stay. Can’t find their website? No worries! Check out their social media @montanasportsmansexpo. Big toys, big furniture, big EVERYTHING is in Montana. Bring a trailer. It’s worth the haul!

The BC Sportsman Show is just an hour and 45 minutes away from Everett. A lot is to be had in BC. Find a lodge and fisher’s package. Connect with hunters and outdoor adventurers. Meet manufacturers. Friends are to be made in BC and friends are to be kept, AYE? Buy a BOOT! Or a boat, it will be swell either way! Book a fishing charter for sure.

Redmond, Oregon. Don’t get this confused with Building 45 and the floating bridge. This is South. The traffic is much better, so hit the road and make the drive. Many people like to save on the sales tax in Oregon. The experience from vendors and guests is always the same, they say it is a great time. I have never been, but I trust Ed Iman, King of Walleye, when he tells me so.

If I missed any of your shows, please excuse me. I haven’t heard from you and can’t always be everywhere at one time. I would love to see what you are doing. Email NW Fishing! 

Check your dates and pick your shows. Attending more than one is part of the fun! It’s a family and, like families, some family members won’t go to certain shows. You’ll see them at the next show, I bet.

Maybe I’ll see you there? Safe travels!

NW Trade Show Schedule

• Jan 27-29 Tri Cities Sportsmen’s Show-Pasco, WA
• Feb 1-5 Washington Sportsmen’s Show-Puyallup, WA
• Feb 15^th-19^th PNW Sportsmen’s Show- Portland OR
• Feb 24^th -26^th Wenatchee Valley Sportsmen’s show- Wenatchee, WA
• Feb 24^th -26^th Central Washington Sportsmen’s Show- Yakima WA
• Feb 24^th-26^th Montana Sportsman’s Expo-Kalispel MT
• March 2-5^th Idaho Sportsmen’s Show- Boise, ID
• March 3^rd-5^th BC Sportsman’s Show-Abbotsford, BC
• March 9^th-12^th Central Oregon Sportsman’s Show- Redmond Oregon
• March 16-19^th Big Horn Show- Spokane, WA

Calling a fishing destination “5-star” can mean a lot of things to different people.

Some people are all about the fishing and only the fishing. Five stars to them means spectacular fishing opportunities for that prized species on their list. For them, it could be good numbers, rare fishes, or even “trophy” size. If this means sleeping in a car on the side of the road it makes no difference to them. It’s all about the fish.

Other people are looking for a trip the whole family can enjoy, a vacation with a side of good fishing. They want some amenities, some nightlife, maybe some local culture and sightseeing. Then a couple days on a blue water charter.

Throw in all the factors like; do you want a guided/charter experience or are you more into self-guided adventures? What time of year? What species? What’s on the bucket list? Boat or shore? Fly fishing? Budget? Well, you get a lot of answers for what a 5 Star Fishing Destination entails. And guess what? Everybody’s right. Your dream fishing destination is a personal thing. Whether you’re a trophy hunter or dream of ten inch trout on a quiet Alpine Lake, who can say its not “5 star”? Fishing is many things for everyone, but here are some of our favorites from over the years and why we think of them as “5 star”. (Hint: the reasons aren’t all the same.)

Starting from East to West:

Fort Peck, Montana

DIY Road Trip Adventure

For some people seeking out fishing destinations, the adventure of getting there is more than half the fun. Fort Peck Montana is nearly 1000 miles from Seattle and a 15-hour drive straight through.  It is so far East it’s not really PNW anymore. The road to Fort Peck has its share of roadside attractions, beautiful scenery, and fun stops if you plan your time accordingly. If your 5-star fishing destination means a nice long road trip, you should put Fort Peck on your list.

Why Fort Peck? Last year a new state record came out of Fort Peck that caught the attention of anglers across the U.S.. You might be surprised that the record was for Chinook Salmon, a 32.62 Chinook to be exact. That’s a nice fish anywhere! And travelling across the northwest to this unlikely spot for a chance at 30 pound plus Kings is what makes this one of our 5-star destinations.  The fishing opportunity doesn’t stop with salmon at Fort Peck, Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, and Small Mouth Bass all abound in one of the most beautiful, uncrowded fishing destinations in the United States.  And from experience, they grow them large in Big Sky country!

Fort Peck Reservoir is a big lake (about 134 miles in length, 1520 miles of shoreline, and roughly 220’ deep when full) created by the Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River, and boats are recommended but there are a lot of marinas and campgrounds to plan your trip around with many having shore fishing opportunities. Glasgow, Montana serves as a good base camp with various lodging, restaurants, and re-supply options and is just 17 miles from the Fort Peck Marina. The Cottonwood Inn & Suites has a variety of options for lodging; from RV Parking to hotel rooms, and amenities include boat parking, a casino, and restaurant.

You can learn more about Fort Peck, and how to fish it at https://fwp.mt.gov/fish

Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho

North Idaho Trophy Hunting

Lake Pend Oreille is the largest lake in Idaho and in the top 50 for the U.S.. It is really deep (over 1000 feet in some areas) and is known for naval submarine testing. This is beautiful country, with a host of fishing options, but what many come for are the Kamloops.  Kamloops are a Gerrard strain of rainbow trout and that are known as some of the biggest trout around, and are highly sought after to round out an avid trout anglers trophy checklist. Your chance for “Big fish” is what makes Lake Pend Oreille a 5-star fishing destination.

The Idaho state record Kamloops rainbow trout was caught out of Pend Oreille in 1947 by Wes Hamlet in 1947. That’s a long time for a record to hold up, but that doesn’t stop anglers from pursuing glory every year in tournaments, by boat, and from shore. Pend Oreille is also home to massive schools of kokanee (a favorite food of the Kamloops), and populations of pike, bass, perch, walleye, crappie and mackinaw. The lake has a history of big fish taken from it in addition to the trout record, these include a 43-pound 6-ounce mackinaw in 1995, and a world record 32-pound bull trout in 1949.  

The idyllic town of Sandpoint sits on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, nestled in forests between the mountains and the lake.  A destination town for skiers in the winter and boaters in the summer, Sandpoint is a great home base for the family fishing destination vacation with some boujee amenities not too far from some small town, rustic escapes. The theme park, Silverwood, is less than 30 minutes away. If you’re looking to plan a trip with something for everyone, shopping, hiking, dining, and trophy fishing, Sandpoint and the neighboring town of Ponderay are great options. 

The word is out, and the popularity of the area has grown immensely for so plan ahead! Jeff and Mona Laybourne of Superfly Tackle not only operate the local tackle store and carry everything you need, but they make specialized gear to target the lake’s prized trophies. They are a wealth of information and can be reached online at https://superflyflies.com/. 

Clearwater River, Idaho

Steelhead Mecca

Arguably the most consistent steelhead fishing in the region and your best shot at steelhead retention (catch and keep), the Clearwater River’s retention steelhead season runs from early October to mid-April, with prime time being October through January. You can be at this steelhead promise land in just under 6 hours from Seattle.  

The river draws steelhead enthusiasts from around the northwest, offering outstanding opportunities for catch-and-release fishing, fly fishing, shore fishing, and of course drift boats and power boats. The Clearwater’s “B-run” may be the best bet in the region for a trophy 20 pounder, and B-run fish typically average 12-14 pounds. Many of the fish originate at the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery managed by the Nez Perce tribe of Idaho, located at the confluence of the North Fork and mainstem Clearwater, about 3 miles west of Orofino, Idaho.

While the epic steelhead fishing and amazing stretches of highly fishable water make this a 5-star fishing destination, the Clearwater is not a one trick pony. The Dworshak hatchery bolsters catch and keep chances for King and Coho salmon with sustainable fish production goals. Coho were declared extinct in the river in 1986, but this year there was an overlapping sport season for Coho, Kings, and Steelhead! These October days are prime time and can be some of the most amazing, quality, days of an angler’s life. With returning Coho averaging 8-12 pounds, 10 to 20 pounds plus Chinook, and those amazing B-run in the river at the same time, pandemonium has been the theme more than once! Recent years have seen spring run Chinook seasons as well. 

This adventure is really about the fishing and those special days on the water. There are a variety of options in the area for shore fishing, multiple boat launches, and some great area outfitters. Many folks skip the hassle of pulling the boat and learning the river, instead walking onto a guides boat and getting right into the hot spots. Many of these area professionals provide a “hot lunch” as well, and around noon you can smell burgers and brats all around the river. Guides we recommend in the area include Toby Wyatt of Reel Time Fishing https://reeltimefishing.com, Kyle Jones of Jones Sport Fishing https://jonessportfishing.com, and Adam Hocking of Steel Dreams Guide Service https://steeldreamsfishing.com.  For lodging Lewiston, Idaho has all the amenities with the Hell’s Canyon Grand being our usual choice. Orofino, Idaho, has several good options as well.

Potholes Reservoir, Washington

Walleye Wonderland

Not everyone’s into walleye, but if you are, Potholes Reservoir should be on your list.  Located about seven miles south of Moses Lake in Central Washington, Potholes Reservoir offers year-round fishing opportunities for walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and panfish.  Dinner plate bluegill are not unknown and last year there was some great rainbow fishing. 

The lake is large and shallow, with most of the lake less than 30 feet deep.  What used to be, and still is to some extent, a large collection of sand dunes, is now a one-of-a-kind regional destination for bass and walleye anglers and recreation of all sorts.  Part of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, multiple tournaments are held on the Lake annually, most held at the MarDon Resort Marina. 

With over 300 days of sunshine, MarDon is popular as a destination for families, and vacationers nearly year-round (boating, camping, resort events, wildlife & birdwatching), with the Fall and Winter offering excellent waterfowl hunting opportunities. The resort has a variety of lodging opportunities from big RV spots and campsites to beach houses and cabins, you can customize your Potholes Lodging experience to your needs.  The marina offers quick access to the Lake, and the restaurant and resort store means you don’t really need to go anywhere. 

The consistent walleye fishing, and the flexibility to tailor the trip to whatever you’re looking for is what makes this a 5-star fishing destination. Walleye are delicious table fare, and the big boys can offer a surprising fight.  Nothing beats a mess of walleye grilled up after a day of fishing with one of those epic Potholes sunsets on the horizon. 

You can fish from the shore or the marina dock, launch your boat, rent a boat, or hire a local guide to experience Potholes Reservoir Fishing.  Shelby Ross of Ross Outdoor Adventures is the resident expert on lake conditions and where the fish are. 

To learn more about MarDon Reservoir visit  https://mardonresort.com/ to contact Shelby Ross of Ross Outdoor Adventure visit: https://rossoutdooradventures.com

Zeballos, BC

Trip of a Lifetime

This one is for those people who want the ultimate PNW fishing experience. You want salmon, you want halibut, you want the smell of saltwater and rugged untouched shorelines. This destination is not for people that one shopping, nightlife, and dance clubs. When you pull into Zeballos, BC you drive into the past. There’s one thing to do: Fish, Eat, Sleep, Repeat.

There’s one primary business in this town: Reel Obsession Sportfishing. Zeballos is about halfway up the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It looks just like the coastal parts of the PNW.  On the drive up (about 4 1/2 hours from the ferry in Nanaimo) there are towering Cedars and Firs, jagged mountains and pristine streams. There aren’t any mini-marts though. This trip is all about decompressing and enjoying some of the consistently best all-around salmon & halibut fishing in the region, and the team at Reel Obsession is obsessive in providing an unforgettable experience for their guests.

From the time you arrive until you depart, they have thought of everything. Wonderful accommodations, amazing chef prepared meals, top quality boats, gear, and equipment, and off the hook fishing is what makes this a 5-star fishing destination. Owners Adrian and Angie O’Connor have grown their operation to include up to 30 guests daily with groups of two, three, and larger visiting for three- or four-day inclusive trips. Guests start their day with breakfast in the common room then head for the boats, lunches already onboard, after eight hours of fishing your captain returns you to the dock. Fish are filleted, vacuum packed, and flash froze – all while you enjoy the latest chef’s creation. Then you wake up and do it again. 

Located at the end of Esperanza Inlet which leads to Nootka Sound and then the Pacific Salmon Highway, fishing from Zeballos allows multiple options to intercept salmon, access to reliable halibut grounds, and the chance at ling cod and bottom fish nearly every trip. Later in the season Albacore Tuna trips are possible as are the chances for the prized Tyee Salmon (30 pounds or larger). 

U.S. guests are limited to specific travel limits which usually fill a good cooler. Reel Obsession books up fast each season, we recommend you reach out to them early to plan your destination fishing adventure. For more information about Reel Obsession visit https://reelobsession.ca

Let's start with a recap of Steelhead season 2024 early predictions called for a record run. 

JULY & AUGUST

Most people were skeptical considering the last 15 years have been less than stellar. Snake River Steelhead enter the Columbia River in July and August and unlike  Salmon, Steelhead migrate slower.  They often stop in areas known as cold water refuges for many days, or sometimes weeks, on their way upriver to spawn.

The first thing we noticed was higher numbers of fish than we were accustomed to seeing over the last 15 years. The second thing we noticed was the fish were mostly bigger B-run steelhead. Steelhead are classified into two groups: A-run identified as a Steelhead under 30", and B–over 30".

A-run spend 1 year in the ocean, and B-run spend 2 or more. September 1st when the Steelhead Season opened on the Snake River, we had a good feel for the run. Fishery managers had pumped up the run and the numbers crossing each dam did not lie. It’s going to be a good year.

SEPTEMBER

September for my company, Reel Time Fishing, is primarily spent trolling 360 flasher setups or hovering eggs targeting King Salmon around the Confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers. This area has a temperature difference known as a thermal barrier. In this case, the Clearwater is close to 10 degrees colder than the Snake River. Salmon fishing was slow this September but the Steelhead fishing was much better. It was strange to tell the clients Salmon is slow, while Steelhead is hot.

We had a lot of success trolling bobbers and shrimp at an ultra-slow pace in the usual steelhead spots around the bridges and the neutral water flat on the north side of the confluence. We also caught a fair amount on our Salmon gear superbaits and spinners as the season progressed we started to move upriver to the free-flowing areas of the Clearwater trolling Maglips by Yakima Bait and Bradss Wiggler. These plugs tipped with a shrimp are a deadly combination.

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER

That brings us to the now. Currently, the Steelhead are through all river systems and anglers are enjoying both the increased numbers and size. In my 35 years of guiding experience, this is how the rest of the season should shape up: Steelhead are going to hang in the slower water around Lewiston, Clarkston, and Asotin to wait for a good shot of rain that signals the fish to move upriver.

This makes November and December amazing fishing in the slack water in the day and the night. Yes, I said night. Night fishing is allowed and it can be very productive pulling lighted lures like the old Brads Wigglers, Vortex and the new Night Strike day time. I would concentrate on Bobber and Shrimp around the bridges and in the neutral water in the confluence on the north side or trolling 360 flashers and a very small spinner such as the 3.0 colorado blade in shades gold, chartreuse, and green.

Many steelhead can be caught upriver as well. The Clearwater is an amazing bank fishery that targets deeper slower runs with bobber and shrimp. If you prefer fishing upriver from a boat my suggestion is Heller Bar or the entire Clearwater from Lewiston to Orofino. Keep in mind these river systems are very dangerous, a person can get into trouble not knowing the water. I suggest hiring one of the many local guide services to show you the river.

JANUARY & FEBRUARY

After the first of the year, most of the Steelhead will begin to head to areas closer to their spawning grounds but keep in mind Steelhead migration is unique. Sometimes they actually move downriver for some time. For example, during January and February, you can still catch fish in the Lewiston-Clarkston area but there are definitely less fish hanging around in this area.

On the Clearwater, anglers will begin to pile into the Orofino area targeting the fish from Dworshak hatchery, the largest Steelhead hatchery in the world. Amazing bank fishing can be had on the North Fork of the Clearwater below Dworshak Dam.

Other hot spots include the Cottonwood Creek hatchery on the Grande Ronde, and Mouth of the Little Salmon on the Salmon River. These areas are all hotspots and because of this, they are high-traffic areas. If you would like to avoid the crowds, fish river sections up to 15 miles downriver of these hot spots and just cover some ground. The fish aren’t as concentrated, so it’ll likely be a situation where you find one here and there.

MARCH & APRIL

In March and April, all the fish will be piled up near hatcheries or spawning grounds. This is a hot time for Orofino, Clear Creek hatchery, and the south fork of the Clearwater. Little Salmon heats up in Riggins Idaho, the Cottonwood creek area on the Grande Ronde, and Hell’s Canyon dam will begin to produce.

LATE SEASON

Let's talk techniques for these late-season fish.  The #1 technique is drifting a pegged bead. I use a yakima bait size 10 pink or orange corky with a toothpick pegging the bead 4 or 5 inches above the hook, this technique is deadly with a very soft subtle presentation. The Steelhead's focus is on the bead, he never sees the hook, but when he clamps down on the bead and you set the hook you stick him in the corner of the mouth and never get a gut-hooked fish. It’s the perfect catch and release system and perfect for rivers with wild fish release. I suggest presenting this bead system free drifting, bobber dog, or just straight-up bobber, but you will need to use a sinking bead on this straight-up system. Other techniques that work well include free drift or bobber and eggs, back trolling or bobber and jig.

Now we need to ask ourselves a few questions. So why is this year so good? Will this be normal in the future? Are we recovering Steelhead? What can we do to help the Steelhead? The answer in my opinion is that this year was good because ocean conditions have been favorable for Steelhead. I do think we will get many more years like this one, but if you look at the overall trend, Steelhead are still on the decline. So no, we are not recovering Steelhead. We release billions of smolt and get less than a 1% return.

HOW TO HELP

Here are a few things we need to focus on to help the Steelhead:

#1 Improve passage: a journey that used to take Steelhead smolt around 15 days, now takes them over 30 days. Going hand-in-hand is predator pressure. Predator pressure is intense—these fish are facing an overwhelming and growing number of predators like walleye, bass, cormorants, and pelicans, whose populations are skyrocketing.

#2. Selective Harvest. I feel any human should not kill a wild Steelhead. If we could eliminate gill nets and switch to selective harvest methods for hatchery fish, allowing wild fish to swim free, it would be a clear win. Individuals harvesting fish for commercial or subsistence purposes could selectively harvest at each dam using dip nets, sorting out hatchery fish, and letting all wild Steelhead go free.

That's a start. There are many more factors contributing to the decline, but for now, we are enjoying a wonderful Steelhead season and we are only halfway through. So get off the couch grab a rod and head to the river. Tight Lines -Toby Wyatt-