While I have been concentrating on fishing the upper Columbia for steelhead, many anglers are having a great time on the smaller rivers in our region.

I am getting great reports on the fishing on the Wenatchee and the Methow. The rivers are running higher than normal for this time of year, and that's not a bad thing. When these rivers are much lower it makes things difficult.

Right now, at least the Wenatchee is floatable. Both rivers are very clear, and having more water in them than normal is actually a benefit to anglers. I want to remind anglers that the Similkameen River is now open to steelhead fishing. This is a wonderful small stream for steelhead fishing.

There are some great holes near the town of Oroville, starting just below Enloe Dam. I made a trip up there last fall and it was beautiful exploring the river, which was full of Chinook salmon about to spawn. There are some surprisingly big steelhead in the stream, too. Our extended warm fall has kept the Okanogan River is great shape, too. Remember to fish this one soon. It will freeze quickly when the cold weather really hits the region.