Happy Bunny and Egg Day everyone...Easter as we call it. As usual here in Washington, every week or two bring one changes in so many of our fisheries that it forces you to stay on your toes. This week is no exception so let's get to it...
We have been doing a weekly report on our Instagram channel, @ewaflyshop_seattle and our YouTube Channel so check there every Friday, same report goes onto both.
Steelhead - Mostly closed within 2 hours of Seattle with a couple exceptions. Cowlitz is one of the few rivers in Washington to stay open all year for everything. Definitely some steelhead in here at the moment but flows are WAY up so if you are swinging and don't have a boat, almost 100 percent not worth it. Even with a boat, let's redirect you until we see flows back down around 8K cfs...sorry! Kalama or Lewis maybe better bets but check flows!
Yakima River - Fly fishing the Yakima River right now is shaping up for the spring season. For the moment we have our flows back down to a very normal level for this time of year, around 2300cfs so with this and some warm weather, definitely meander your way over. March Browns, maybe some lingering Skwala's and certainly swinging soft hackles across riffles or stripping streamers will all move fish right now. Pick your arrow and fire it but also come prepared. If all of these methods work which they do, you should come with flies to represent not just the insects but how you are hoping to present them.
Snoqualmie Forks - Not something we usually put in a report in April but with the Middle Fork at 760cfs, this is well below the flow level we use to determine if we would guide it or not. Probably not going to see any dry fly activity yet but if you are there on these warmer days in the afternoons, give it a shot. A Stimulator with maybe a Copper John or Lightning Bug dropped off the back will probably do the trick so get out there.
Puget Sound - Fly fishing the Puget Sound still intimidates and baffles some folks and we get it. It is a GIANT watershed and the fish, both sea run cutthroat and resident silver salmon migrate a lot. Particularly this time of year as the wealth of baitfish enter the saltwater from both small and large streams and rivers, both species will follow that northward migration and stay on the food. It's a little like going back to the buffet as often as possible, why wouldn't you? South Sound has been and is usually most consistent. Pick a few beaches to access when you head out for the day and use the tide change to relocate. Change the retrieve before the fly, don't be afraid to bring both small shrimp patterns as well as Polychaete worm patterns, both might just be the ticket when these fish get a tad picky. As we see the Coho fry enter, they have a different profile than the Pink Salmon fry, a tad different eye placement, more spotting and all of them are growing in length as they prepare to head north. Your flies as the season goes along should do the same. We will have some news to share here soon...
Lakes - As we see spring arrive, some of the lakes in the area will begin to warm enough to bring bass, muskie and carp back onto the scene...woop woop! This is such fantastic news as we have so much good fly fishing for bass and the other warmwater species around here it isn't funny. What is funny is how few people do it! Muskie fishing in Lake Tapps is only 45 minutes from Seattle, a very easy lake to navigate with a SUP or kayak and a new species to challenge yourself with. Bring a 10wt to the game and BIG flies...The shallower lakes like Green Lake will warm sooner so chasing carp or bass in those will happen first. Probably need to get down to them so heavy streamers or even sink tip lines will assist until the bass begin looking up after they have protected their spawning beds. Walk the perimeter of Green Lake and see if you can spot some carp cruising the shallows. If so, get some drab little flies in front of them and move them slowly, pay close attention to their reaction or lack of and modify size, shape and color of fly and keep trying.
As always, we are here for YOU! Call, email, facetime, DM us or even stop in, we love to see you in person, always. Have a great weekend and talk with you all soon,
EWA Staff
206-708-7250 | shop@emeraldwateranglers.com | @ewaflyshop_seattle | @ewa_women
