For the first time in quite some time the steelhead fishing on the upper Columbia River and some of its tributaries is still open. Very good returns to the upper Columbia, the Methow and Okanogan rivers this year, coupled with fairly low fishing pressure over the winter has left a lot of fish still available to anglers. Some of the best steelhead action of the year can be had right now on the region’s rivers. There is more good news for trout anglers in Central Washington. The Colville Tribe has released nearly 2,000 triploid rainbow trout, weighing between 3 and 4 pounds into Rufus Woods Reservoir. The plan is to make monthly plants of triploids of similar amounts and size for the next two years. Anglers should be on the lookout for trout wearing tags at the base of their dorsal fins. The fins have a number and the phone number of the Colville tribe’s Fish and Wildlife office. It is important that the date and best possible description of the location of where the fish was caught be reported to the tribe. This information will help them design the future management strategies for
Rufus Woods Reservoir.