I hit the tucannon late this week. Watching the charts I knew that the lower part of the river should be pretty good. I hit the river around 8:30. First hole I bonked a nice 27" hatchery buck I proceeded to head upriver and hooked and lost a hot fish in the next hole. I then hooked and released another hatchery buck. Then things got exciting I was fishing a promising run and bobber down. I was hooked in to a big fish that kicked my butt! It took of down river peeling off line like nothing. Almost spooled me! Then upriver in the same fashion. 15 minutes later I had a nice 30"+ native in the water at my feet. It made the nice 27" I caught earlier look like a sissy. I couldn't believe it I was able to set it free to make more of its kind. The even crazier part of the day was that I hooked and released three more natives like the one I caught, and lost another. By far my best day ever steelheading Just to think during my first year trying last winter I didnt catch one! Lets just thanks the fishing gods for the healthy native run on the tucannon

Dev88T

WTG Dev88t! Great day.

Do you have access to some private land or is there plenty of public ground along the Tucannon? After all these years I still have no idea where to fish that river.

That is the great thing about the tucannon is there is a ton of access for the public. Heading up tucannon river road towards camp wooten you can pretty much access anything. I talked to the Game Wardens one day and they said that we can walk into anything. The only stuff you cannot access is well posted. You can also access a land owners property between starbuck and highway 12 by registering for a day permit off of the main road. No fee or anything either. I just spend my day walking and hunting for good runs and holes. Emann is the one who let me know last year where to access this river so I owe him a big thanks for figuring out many of the places.

Dev88T

If you hit Tucannon near Starbuck, check in at Darver tackle. You will get some good information there. If you talk nice, you might get directions

Sounds like one of those magical days on the river when all of the planets align and you can do no wrong. Nice job, and thanks for the encouraging report.

Wow Dev! You having a big big year!

I also picked up a couple of fish on the tucannon this weekend. I fished for 2 hours on saturday and picked up two nice natives. It seems to me that the natives that I have caught there this year seem to be bigger.

Good day had by all on the Tucannon, congratulations guys.

What seemed to be the magic on the bait/lure side?

Thanks for the update. Rower2

PS The Walla Walla is still running high but is clearing. Too high and muddy to work these last weeks.

I just got back from the Tucannon and it was another good day of fishing. I hooked 4 but only landed one so I could have fished better but all in all a great day. They were all hooked on corky/yarn and a small piece of roe. One of the fish that I hooked was pig and ate me up. Good luck to all.

I also hit the Tucannon yesterday. I caught 3 nice chrome fish. 2 wild and 1 nice hatchery hen that was in awesome shape. One of the wilds was one of the nice 30" plus hogs. I am suprised to catch such bright fish. They must have been hanging out in the snake and decided to finally move in the last couple of week. Float and jig was the weapon. I keep telling myself I will try drift fishing, but I can't seem to tear away from my jig rut!!

Dev88T

You guys are doing great! Dev, that's super that you are still finding bright fish so late in the year. Keep after them!

JimmyD

Are you fishing up or downstream of starbuck. The area downstream has eluded me, but i hear there is some good water.

I tried down there, but did not hook any. There does seem to be some decent holding water, but no luck for me there. I have had luck from just above starbuck all the way up tucannon rd below the hatchery.

Dev88T

What are good colors for the Tucannon? What do you use to fish it?

I mainly fish the Clearwater out of a boat but it would be nice once in a while to slip onto a small river like the Tucannon.