Cedar River Host - Tom Beaulaurier

The Cedar River flows from Chester Morse Lake on the western slopes of the Cascades and east of Rattlesnake Lake. Fall and winter glimpses of salmon and steelhead that used to return to this urban/mountain stream are needing a miracle for their migratory recovery. Luckily the whitefish and trout have managed to survive poaching and predation well enough to offer good fishing. The river shows you different characteristics, depending on your location. The upper Cedar provides stretches of sparkling, fast water over large boulders into short clear pools, the mid-section offers smaller boulders and more pools, and then getting closer to Lake Washington the flow is slower and your chances for finding larger trout improve.

The Cedar River Regional Trail runs a little more than 17 miles parallel to the river from Renton to the Landsburg Road Bridge. It is situated atop an abandoned rail line built to haul coal from mines in the Cascade foothills to settlements in the lowlands. This scenic trail provides visual and physical access to the river in many locations and is adjacent to many public access sites. The trail is paved from Lake Washington to Maple Valley with compacted gravel the remainder of the distance. Getting into the river from the trail is sometimes a scramble down a well used trail or slope. Walking 1/2 to 1 mile, or more, from a parking area is encouraged. 

Trout 9” to 12” are very common. Trout and whitefish 16” to 19” are available. The Cedar River is a catch and release, walk-and-wade fishery. The river is open from the mouth at Lake Washington upstream to the Landsburg Road Bridge. The season opens on the last Saturday in May and closes on August 31.

The River is a prime location for fishing in King County. It also attracts less fortunate people who want what you leave unprotected. Your first precaution has to be don't leave anything visible to searching eyes in your parked car.

Finally, by registering for the outing you create/occupy a reservation. If you want to cancel, navigate through the NFA event registration tool you used to sign up, or get assistance from Brett the website admin. If you register and don't show you are not being as considerate to your club friends as you surely want to be.

What to Bring:

• Washington state fishing license
• 3-5 weight rods with floating line
• 3x, 4x, and maybe 5x tippet
• Net
• Wading staff
• Hat and polarized sunglasses
• Water & Snack

Flies:

• Pat's rubberlegs, #8-#10
• Hare’s ear, #12-#16
• Pheasant tail, #14-#18
• Stimulator, #10-#14
• Parachute Adam's, #14-#18