The Latest and Greatest Fishing Report

I’m Baaaaaaaacck…., I just arrived back home on 11/1/11 from my month long guiding adventure at Heller Bar, WA on The Snake River.  I was able to guide 27 of those 30 days with some great people on my boat.  The scenery was epic and the weather except for 3 rainy days was fabulous.  Summer Run Steelhead were the fish of choice…, but we caught many Chinook adults and jacks, plus catfish, squaw fish, white fish, sturgeon, bass, and suckers all side-drifting good eggs.  The Snake is a very healthy river system to say the least. 

If you missed this fishery in 2011, not too worry…, as I am already working on my 2012 season on The Snake River at Heller Bar, WA.  I will start around 9/15/2012 and finish up around 10/10/2012.  I would recommend 2 days on the water if at all possible.  This year was Wall Tent central and I’m looking to rent a house this next year.  If nothing is available I will run my trips through the Red Lion in Lewiston, ID which is 45 minutes from the boat launch and is surrounded by restaurants and stores for your convience. Otherwise your more than welcome to camp out at Heller Bar right at the mouth of the Grande Ronde River with me.  Fish, Big Horn Sheep, Turkeys, Chukar, Deer, fires, glo corkies and spinners from the bank, drinks, and that days fish stories are all a part of The Heller Bar experience.   

I was looking over my fish log for the month of October and my boat landed over 250 Steelhead, not including King Salmon and Jacks!  You can expect double digit fish days on this river.  We did have a couple of slower days where we caught 5-8 Steelhead and Kings.  But again only a couple of slow days.  The water was at a 20 year high for that time of year which definitely changed the fish holding locations a bit…, it took me a day to re-figure it out.  But after that day it was on.  Our best days were 25-30 hook ups on Salmon and Steelhead…, NO joke!  Below are some of the fish that we caught.  FYI those un-clipped fish (you will see in the pictures below) are legal to pull out of the Water with an Idaho fishing license.  Get a hold of me with any questions regarding my favorite Jet Sled Steelhead fishery, hands down!

I am now booking winter run steelhead trips on the Cowlitz, Sky and Snoqualmie Rivers starting 11/29/11 through 12/30 /11, Get your date…, before your too late!  FishON and see you on the water :-)   Also, don’t forget to check out Steelhead University’s fishing report as I put up a fresh weekly report there, you can go directly there through the links section on my mywebsite’s home page.  Mention Salmon Steelhead University and take 10% off of your next fully guided trip from now through December!!

Bonner Daniels

bonnerfishon.com

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Since the June 1st opener of the Snohomish River System life has been good…, to great for the local fisherman.  The Sky River has been showing consistent results for Summer-run Steelhead and king Salmon.  These fish come in almost everyday on the bell curves due to the snow melt and rain.  This means chrome-bright, sea liced, scrappy fish that fight like crazy every day!!  My boat has been doing very well side drifting eggs and shrimp.  The water is running quite high and heavy, which is typical for June fishing on the Snohomish system.  With that stated…, the jet sled has been the top choice vs. my drift boat.  If you want in on the action get a hold of me before your, too late.  The King salmon retention closes on July 31st. I do have a few prime dates still available.  Again…, this fishery is only 30 minutes from Seattle!! 

After the 31st of July, comes the August 16th opener for The Pink Salmon run on the Snohomish river system (odd years only).  This system should see more than 500,000 of these Pink Salmon!!!!  If your interested in catching limits of salmon GUARANTEED…, get a hold of me sooner than later…, as I only have a few select dates still open.  This fishery is great for the family, friends, kids and less experienced fishermen and women…, along with those of us die hard fishermen whom simply want to catch salmon, after salmon, after salmon :-)  

The walleye action continues on a strong note over on The Potholes and Moses lake.  Trolling worm harnesses and crank baits are the top producers.  Crab Creek, Lind Coulee, and the mouth of the Frenchmen’s have all been super productive on the reservoir.  Fish early and late if you are targeting trophy fish.  The Large and Smallmouth bass are in full swing.  This year has given up some of the biggest bass we have seen in years on the Potholes.  The bass we target will average right around 3lbs…, with the bruiser’s pushing near 10lbs!!  My favorite fishery on The Potholes is chasing these Lunker Largemouth bass…, hands down.  If anyone wants to see a little slice of summertime, WA State, heaven get a hold of me for a Sand Dunes Large-mouth Bass adventure.  Top water fishing at dawn and dusk…, soft plastics and spinnerbaits in between and your in for some serious BIG bass action from now through September.   

Here are a few pics from our guided adventures since I last reported:

See you on the water…, Tight lines and screaming reels to you and yours,

Bonner Daniels

bonnerfishon.com

425-281-8772

Wow…, another month has flown by since my last report!  I completely switched gears over to the Potholes reservoir to catch Walleye, Bass, and Trout.  The weather and the fishing has had it’s ups and downs, but that’s why I head east this time of year.  With all the different waterways to fish and different species of fish there is ALWAYS a bite going on somewhere within a 30 minute drive from my place on the Potholes golf course…, no matter what the weather situation is.  If your interested in getting bit multiple times per day, and simply relaxing while catching a bunch of fish this is your kind of trip. 

On to the fishing report: 

Fishing has been fantastic for my boat.  Big Bass and big numbers of bass have been the norm.  I prefer to fish plastics and crank baits this time of year.  Crawdad imitations are always a top producer.  When the bite gets slow try searching the same water, or new waters…, with your favorite crank baits.  The potholes has some real big smallmouth and they are not line shy, so beef up your tackle if you want to land those large reservoir bass.  The water levels are super high at press time, so I have not been focusing on Largemouth Bass…, but they are my favorite warm water species of fish and the fishing for these bad boyz will get good any day now.  Especially when we start to get consistant  80 degree weather days.  It took 51lbs to win the potholes open this year and the guys only weighed 11 of their 12 fish limit…, that is a new lake record!!!  Largemouth took home the 1st place check again this year…, that’s why their my favorite fish…, big money, big fish, tough fighters, spectacular scenery, all great attributes :-)

When the wind picks up.., so do I and then we head walleye fishing.  The winds over east have been putting a nice “walleye chop” on the water almost everyday.  I prefer to fish walleye in the wind.  Trolling worm harnesses has been the golden ticket on my boat.  Use bottom walkers, beads, corkies, and blades and your good to go.  Walleye are some of the tastiest fish in fresh water, so bring your fish cooler :-)  

For you rainbow trout enthusiast’s out there…, we have been smoking the trout!  Expect limits every time, if you would like to do some trout fishing.  I typically troll for these fish.  I also fly fish a few “special” lakes at the potholes for trophy trout, as well.  If your interested let me know.  Drift boat fly fishing over on the eastside is very relaxing and productive all at the same time. 

NOW BOOKING:  Summer Run Steelhead and King Salmon trips on the SkyKomish River.  Opening day is June 1st and King salmon closes August 31st.  Book earlier in the season for Prime-time Steelhead and a little later for prime King Salmon fishing.  Then on August 16th the opening of “The Catching Season”!  The Pink Salmon run is this year and not again until 2013.  This is hands down the greatest catching season of the year on our west-side rivers.  My dates are August 16th-September 11th.  Expect to bring home the boat’s limit of chrome-bright, Pink salmon and to release many, many, many more!!!  Give me a call and get a date…, before again…, your too late :-(

I will let the below pics speak for themselves on how great the fishing has been over on The Potholes Reservoir. Here are a few pics from the last month of fish catching:

See you on the water!

Sincerely,

Bonner Daniels

bonnerfishon.com

425-281-8772

The Latest and Greatest Fishing Report

Sorry for the delayed fishing report!  I have been on the water a bunch of late and the time has simply passed right on bye.  I actually have been blogging on Salmon Steelhead Universities weekly fishing report.  From now on…, my weekly updates will be there.  If you go into our “links” there is a direct link to Salmon Steelhead University report.  I will continue a monthly overview of what you all missed and what is next up on tap on this website.

Here we go…, the past month of January had me fishing on the Wynoochie river, as the Skykomish, Snoqualmie and Cowlitz were all blown out.  We had some stellar days on the Wynoochie so far this season, with our smallest hatchery fish weighing in at 12lbs and the largest native …., SO FAR at 21lbs!!  We have been and continue to hook into multiple fish per day. I jet sled and drift boat fish this little gem of a river.  The fishing will remain strong here through March.  I typically cover 15 river miles a day on this pristine fishery and the scenery is simply fabulous.

I am now starting to switch gears again…, I will be back on the Cowlitz and starting to fish on the Satsop…, as well as the Wynoochie.  From now through March on these rivers…, mother nature depending of course, we are in line for some spectacular winter run steelhead fishing in our WA State coastal rivers!!  Big natives and loads of late run hatchery fish are what we will be in for.  Give me a call, or shoot me an email and lets get you a date to go catch some Huge Natives and/or Hatchery Steelhead for the barbeque.

Here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks:

See you on the water,

Bonner Daniels

Bonnerfishon.com

425-281-8772

The Latest and Greatest Fishing Report

The Gods have awaken…, unleashing a massive amount of the H2O into our WA State river systems.  For all intensive purposes our Winter Run Steelhead season will be put on hold for a few days, at least on ALL the main stem rivers anyways.  But…., not every river system is shut down due to high water ie Tokul Creek, The Salmon River, Cook Creek, Rieter Ponds, Barrier Dam, Stevens Creek, Cascade River to name a few spots that excel in high water situations :-)

Before this rain storm the fishing has been great and the catching has been above par to say the least.  We  have already limited the boat on multiple outings this Winter Run Steelhead season.  I have been fishing on the Cowlitz, Snohomish and Chehalis river systems, so far this season.  Side drifting good bait has been my key to success lately.  Just keep on moving and searching for a pod of Steelhead and then stick on them and pound that section of river.

Lets get you out on the water before you miss out on your 2010 chance at chrome, bright, ocean run Winter Steelhead…, quit wishing and lets go fishing!!!!  See you on the water.

Here are a few pics from the past two weeks guided adventures:

Sincerely,

Bonner Daniels

bonnerfishon.com

425-281-8772

THE Latest and Greatest Fishing Report

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

I have been over on the eastside hammering away on the Summer Run Steelhead and sneaky back home to see the Family and guide the Local Coho.  The fishing is going strong over on the Eastside for Steelhead if anyone is interested in catching multiple fish a day, if you want to go I would recommend fishing a date between now and Thanks Giving.  We have been sidedrifting bait to catch these feisty fish and now that the water temp. is cooling plugs, along with divers and bait also work well.

The local Coho have  migrated up into the tributaries and are definetly on the tail of the run.   There are some new fish coming in, but the chrome fish are fewer and further apart.  Try fishing eggs under a float in the smaller tributaries and you will catch Coho and you just might catch your first winter run Steelhead of the season, as well!

                                                                                                                                                                

Speaking of Winter Run Steelhead, my winter Western, WA guide season starts up Thanks Giving weekend fishing on the Cowlitz, Skykomish, and Snoqualmie rivers for the month of December.  If your looking to catch hatchery steelhead for the BBQ, or Smoker December is prime time!  Call me ASAP to get your date of choice for December before it’s, too late.  Last year we hooked into limits on almost every trip in December. 

Here are some glory shots from the past 2 weeks.  Again, this Eastside  fishery is still good fishing and you can have the catch of a lifetime on any given day over there.  It is a 4 hour drive from Issaquah, WA to  Lewiston/Clarkston and another half an hour to the boat launch.  Let me know what you want to catch and I will do the rest!  See you on the water :-)

Sincerely,

Bonner Daniels

bonnerfishon.com

425-281-8772

Ps. If you bothered to scroll down this far and you book a winter steelhead trip before December 1st, 2010 I will take off 10% of the price of a full day trip.  The season runs from December 2010-April 2011.

 The Summer Time Sun has finally come to WA State and with her heat came the King Salmon retention closure on Sky River.  With that stated I am now shifting gears back to focusing on the Sky River SummerRun Steelhead.   If your looking for a peaceful float down the river, with the opportunity to catch a summer run chromer, look no further than your own backyard.   The fish have moved up the system and its time to break out the drift boat.

Otherwise, lets get a crew to fill up the jet sled and head down to the Cowlitz River to do battle with Summer Run Steelhead.  Those fish have definitly shown up and are in the system, as well.  Side drifting and pulling plugs are the keys to success down on the Cow.

Lets Go Catch Some Summer Run Chrome

Fetha Styx and North Fork Composities have come together to create what I would consider the #1 new rod on the market today for action and sensitivety.  Coming soon to a dealer near you!  Contact Billy or Gina at Fetha Styx for more information. 

Ps   The walleye bite is on over east if your looking for a change of pace. 

Just let me know when you want to go :-)   

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sincerely,

Bonner Daniels

bonnerfishon.com

425-281-8772 

I will start off with the mother nature report…., calm one minute, raining the next, hurricane like winds right after that, and finally the Sunshine decides to make an appearance…., but with all that weather came the fish.  I just finished up my winter run Steelhead season and started up my Walleye  and Bass gig.  What a truly wonderful Winter Steelhead season we had…., I sure hope the summer run follows in step.  

To the fishing report:  Walleye fishing is very good right NOW and should remain that way through the month of  May.  The Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass…, weather permitting have been biting very well, also.  A typical day in May with me consists of Limiting on Walleye for the grill and then finishing off the day catching trophy size Bass.  I am over East for these fisheries on the Potholes Resevoir and Moses Lake.   If you would like a nice change of pace and a relaxing day on the water, catching fish…, this May warm water fishery is for YOU :-)

On the river side of things June 1st is right around the corner and I will be spending my time chasing Summer Run King Salmon and Steelhead on the Sky and Cowlitz rivers.   The catch and keep, King Salmon season runs from June 1-July 31 and I am running out of open dates on my calendar.  If you would like a chance at these chrome beauties call me before its too late.

Here are the pics from this last weeks guided adventures

Sincerely,

Bonner Daniels

bonnerfishon.com

425-281-8772

Ps  If you bothered to scroll down this far, call me and I will give you 10% of my posted daily rate for the month of May only.

Pss  Check out Mario at Doug’s Sports in Woodinville they have a wide selection of fishing and hunting supplies

It’s great to be back home…, even after a NICE vacation in the Hawaiian Sun.  Check out Maui Extreme fishing if your ever on the islands, those boyz really know how to catch the fish.  I was M.I.A. for a few days there.  I sure did get home in the nick of time, as the fishing has been absolutely wonderful.  How can you not love sunshine, winter steelhead and springer salmon all in one. 

The Salmon season is in full swing and people who are out fishing for them are catching them.  Big, beautiful, chrome bright, Springer Salmon between I-5 and Willamette is quite good at press time.  Get some herring, or your favorite spinner and get out there!!  It closes here very shortly.  By the way Springer Salmon is nearly $30 a pound at the grocery store!!

I have a few openings left for Late Winter Steelhead and Sping Chinook Salmon on the Cowlitz and Columbia Rivers.  If you would like to book a trip…, NOW is a great time.  My boat averaged 9 fish fought and 4 killed everyday this last week!!!!  It’s on like kong :-)

Here are a few pics from this week’s trips

Sincerely,

Bonner Daniels

Bonnerfishon.com

425-281-8772

Ps.  Quit Wish’n and Let’s GO fish’n  :-)

Pss. Todd Daniels Hawg Quest Episode is Replaying This Week…, Check it OUT!

It is officially Springer Salmon, Late Run Hatchery Steelhead and Native Steelhead season…, with that said literally every mainstem river of the Washington Coast and Columbia river has fish in it right now.  Big, Bright, chrome fish…., get out and get in on some of the action. 

The Trout lakes have been, or are being planted, the walleye bite is beginning over on the Potholes Reservoir and Moses Lake,  the Potholes Open is right around the corner,  the Grande Ronde, Salmon, and Clearwater Rivers are over flowing with steelhead, and the Westside Chromers  are arriving right now.  What a great time to go out and go fishing in this wonderfully mild weather. 

My days have been consisting of side drifting bait for Steelhead and Springers out of my Wooldridge XL Jet Sled, which holds 5 guests comfortably. The fishing has been consistent with multiple fishON’s!!! per day.  This Spring run has started off well and should continue strong and even get better…, well into April. I am currently booked up through the 1st week of April, if you would like to get out and get after some of these Chrome beauties give me a call and lets get you on the schedule before its too late.  See you on the water :-)

Here are but a few pics from this weeks trips….

TIP of The Week:    Keep  On  Casting!!!

Sincerely,

Bonner Daniels

bonnerfishon.com

425-281-8772