Hawg Quest catching HUGE salmon in Kodiak Island, Alaska

After traveling to the far reaches of salmon travel in Kodiak Island, Alaska to the famed Keani river — we were filming for an upcoming episode of Hawg Quest trying to catch that elusive 100lb king salmon — we realized that the best fishing is really right here on the Snohomish river system. As hard as that is to believe, we struggled to get fish in some of the the best salmon waters in the world.  All the while Bonner is sending me pix of steelhead and king limits almost everyday right here in Washington. We will be right here on the Snohomish system for the next month or so with the fishing only going to get better and better. If you want to go after some truly special fishing, give me a call and don’t miss out.

Tall Tails Guide Service

Steelies and Springers Continue

With the warmer weather here for now, so is some pretty good fishing. We have been both on the Columbia and the Cowlitz rivers lately. Fishing for winter-run steelhead in almost 70 degree weather just seems kind of weird, it is supposed to be like 35 degrees and raining! But we will take it any time mother nature is willing to give it to us. I will be giving the Cowlitz one more week of steelhead fishing to finish up what is truly an amazing run so far; if you want one more crack at these steelies let me know there is some room left. Starting the beginning of May we will be down on the Wind River or Drano Lake to go get after what is going to be a record run in both tribs. I am looking forward to this year down there more than any in a long, long time. I still have dates available — let me know.

Todd
Tall Tails Guide Service
(206)437-8766

Todd Daniels: March Fishing is Getting Going!

Well, as March rolls in, so does some great fishing with lake trout, late winter-run steelhead and, of course, springers! The trout fishing will not only be getting better, but also it will be epic at times with the smolt release out of the Cedar River and Issaquah Creek. Look for the trout fishing to be best in the top 15 feet of water, as that is where the smolt will be staging for the next month or so. I have the next couple of weekdays available if you’re interested! Sorry, no more weekends available ’till next month! The late winter-run steelhead is just starting to get going pretty good now with the occasional springer mixed in with them. These steehead at this time of year are some of the biggest hatchery fish you will be able to target and keep. I have only a few dates at the end of this month left, so don’t miss out again like you did last year! There are still a few dates left for Drano Lake/Wind River for the record run of springers. Give me a call and I will let you know what is available.

Sincerely,
Todd Daniels

Tall Tails Guide Service
206.437.8766

December Steelhead

The full swing of winter steelhead is here. The middle of the month we had some of the coldest temps you would want to fish in — pushing single digits in the morning. But those who were willing to go out were rewarded with some fantastic fishing. One of my favorite moments is getting to watch some of my clients catch their very first steelhead. That is something quite special, and we have had the chance to do that a lot lately. Now, the temps and river levels have moderated. The Snohomish River System has picked up lately, as has the Cowlitz. Look for the Chalais system’s to kick into gear any time now as well. It’s not too early to start thinking SPRINGERS. A predicted run of 470,000 in the Columbia should be an awesome fishing season. Mean time, still plenty of Steelhead to be had. Give me a call.

Sincerely,
Todd Daniels

Tall Tails Guide Service
206.437.8766

Todd Daniels: “Mix Bag of December Fishing”

Well, the cold of December has definitely set in. On Sunday we fished Lake Washington and the temps were in the low 30’s with a 15 mph wind, but the large cutties are starting to show up in good numbers. Cutplug herring is my favorite go-to this time of year, set on the downrigger at between 20 to 40 feet. When the rivers allow us to get on them, there are still some chum up higher in the Snohomish River System — we have been averaging 20 to 50 fish a day, but that is fading fast with the first arrivals of steelhead! Many people just about loose their minds chasing these sometimes elusive animals, but what you are rewarded with is something that only few others can understand. I have been chasing these “steelhead” for over 30 years and know how to get into them pretty damn good. So if you want to get out and go catch some on my HEATED boat, give me a call.

Sincerely, Todd Daniels

Tall Tails Guide Service
206.437.8766

Todd Daniels Finding Fish in Any Condition

With the big rains of November we have had to move around quite a bit. But there are still coho to be had, as well as plenty of chum to catch ’till your arms fall off. This is one of my favorite times of year — you just don’t know what is on the end of your line. There are reports of early winterrun steelhead in both the Skykomish as well as the Cowlitz. When the rivers are too bad to fish we have been on both Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington getting some really nice cutthroat up to 7 lb’s so far. Give me a call, I still have some dates available!

Sincerely, Todd Daniels

Tall Tails Guide Service
206.437.8766

Coho Mojo!

Going from record low water to almost-flooding conditions in less than a week can make any sane fisherman go crazy! If you understand where and how coho move, you can have consistent success as we have had over the last week. Don’t get complacent with the ‘I got one here last week’ syndrome — be ready to move and explore. Also, we have found that the further away you get from other anglers, the more likely it is that these fish will bite. This is getting to be the magical time of year on a lot of our rivers as you just don’t know what your going to catch that day; there are already a few reports of early winter-run steelhead, coho, chum, old pinks, etc. in the systems. Give me a call as we will also be targeting fall/winter cutthroat trout on Lake Sammamish.

Todd Daniels
Tall Tails Guide Service
206.437.8766

Fantastic Fishing Continues

To say that the the fishing continues to be hot is an understatement. Both Bonner and I have been getting our clients into plenty of fish, making them want to come back for more and more. Just when we thought the there would be a slow down in the Snohomish River system, it kicked into gear for coho chasing. We are finding them, as well as plenty of pinks, to keep your rods bent ALL day. We also had a very good late Lake Sammamish push of kings and coho. Just take a look at some of the pictures, see the one that is pushing the 45 pound mark? Don’t be afraid to book early for next year’s Lake Sammamish trips, the prime dates are already getting booked. There are still some dates left this month for coho on the Snohomish. Call either Todd or Bonner and set it up — you won’t be disappointed.

Until later,

Todd

Todd Daniels

Tall Tails Guide Service

206.437.8766

Bonner Daniels

Fish-On Guide Service

425.281.8772

Skykomish River Fun!

Well, after fishing on the River for a month straight (almost), we have been getting limits of salmon everyday. The pink season is still going strong–I expect them to be in the river into October (not table fare) with big silvers to be had. Thanks to everyone who has been out with me lately; I enjoyed watching everyone catch all those fish. and thank you for putting up with my bad humor, I’m working on better jokes! If you want to get out for some prime silver dates give me a call.

Sincerely, Todd Daniels

206.437.8766

Tall Tails Guide Service

It’s pink time!

Well, after fishing just about every day the last couple of weeks, I had an unexpected day off. To say we are putting a hurting on the fish is an understatement. Bonner and I have not only been limiting out everyone, everyday, we have been releasing well over 75% of the fish our clients have been catching. No need to only catch your four when you can catch five times that amount — and it is only getting better!
If you want to get into some of the best fishing in a long, long time give me a call, some dates are still available. Look for us in an upcoming episode of Hawg Quest to see what you missed out on!

Sincerely, Todd Daniels

Tall Tails Guide Service