[Salmo Nella]

Spent a couple of days (july 9,10,11) near the town of North Bend Washington, about 50 southwest of Seattle.
The Middle fork Snoqualmie is a fine river. Lots of smallish rainbow and cutthroat. The water was just a tad too high to wade all the way across but it was fine for access on the north side. There is no trail along the river so fishing is done by wading the edge starting at road side access points. It is a beautiful canyon.

The Tolt river is another fine little trout river. The access is limited. Wading is ok but if you have to leave the river to go around obstructions the bank is impossible with berry thorns and brush. I still have deep scratches on my legs from the berry vines. Lots of 10 to 15 inch fish if you have the stamina to get to them.

Main Stem Snoqualmie just above Snoqualmie falls was a complete surprise. It flows along a road a mile or two above a major tourist attraction and is lined on the non-road side with houses and cabins. Still, in the middle of the afternoon I landed dozens of smallish trout all taken on drys. It must be a real hoot in the evening when a hatch comes on.

If you get up into this area don't hesitate to check out these local streams. No trophy size fish the small ones really fight hard.

By the way. There is nothing "secret" about these rivers. The information on them, and a description of fishing possibilities, is published by the Washington State DFW in a booklet (107 pages worth) entitled "2005 Washington State Fishing Prospects". It is a great resource for anyone going into this state cold.

[Fish Bones]

Great report David!!!