Wow. I'd give today 5 stars except I went looking for steelhead but didn't find any. I did have a surprisingly good day of trout fishing today. I fished at the Mead Ranch area on the opposite side of the river from the Tucannon RV park, run by the same folks. This is the area where you sign in at the Mini-Fridge on Smith Road, 3 miles upstream from Starbuck. They have let area sportsmen use their land for as long as I can remember, so be respectful. I saw no trash or other nonsense. They provide slips, fill out all your contact info and put it in the box, then date a slip and place it on the dash. I parked by the bridge and walked in as the ground was wet/frozen. Gotta leave a thank you card and some jam in the spring.
The air was 30 degrees and the water 39. Water was low at about 110 cfs and basically clear. The fog came and went, otherwise cloudy. I was fishing an opaque orange bead and small pink worm, 12# and size 2 hook, under a float. I caught and released a fish from every second or third spot today. There is a vague fishermans trail well back from the shore, and you won't really see how to get to each spot. I don't wade much to save the insects and clams, but only get my feet wet in casting position. Use a careful approach and fish where you want to stand first, I got one of the bigger fish this morning from where I ended up standing! I fished every inch carefully as the water was cold and I didn't think they would move much. Some did, but most wanted it close.
This small trout was hooked just below and to the left of the whitewater at the tree in the river. I snapped a quick picture then back in it went.
I went down to the WDFW area at the mouth. A couple people plunking but no luck.

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