“Steelhead make you earn everything. That's the whole point.”
— Ashley Kimura
The Story
Ashley Kimura learned to swing flies on the Sandy River with her grandfather, a third-generation Japanese-American commercial fisherman. She turned her obsession with steelhead into a guiding career on the Columbia and its tributaries, earning a reputation as one of the most technically proficient swing anglers in the Pacific Northwest. She reads water like a topographic map and moves through a run with the kind of quiet efficiency that earned her nickname.
Fishing Philosophy
Steelhead fishing is meditation with consequences. Be present, read the water, and trust your swing.
Achievements
- 2024 NW Steelhead Cup champion
- Guide of the Year — Oregon Guides Association 2025
- Personal best steelhead: 22.6 lbs, Deschutes River
- 400+ guided steelhead trips with 90%+ hookup rate
- Featured in Fly Fisherman Magazine, 2025
Gear Setup
Rod
Sage X 7136-4 Spey Rod (13'6", 7-weight)
Reel
Hatch Finatic 9 Plus
Line
RIO Skagit Max Launch 525gr
Go-To Bait
Intruder-style fly in black and blue, size 1/0
Tips from Ashley
Read the seams. Steelhead hold where fast water meets slow water — that transition zone is everything.
Mend upstream immediately after the cast. A drag-free swing in the first 10 feet sets up the entire drift.
Fish the water you can see before wading in. Half the time you're standing on the fish.
Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
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