Boom!  Holiday's are over, family and friends have receded back home much like river levels so it is time to get back out there and fish!

At this very moment, we have cloudy skies with some light rain coming down which in most people's mind is absolutely perfect for the PNW.  If this doesn't sound ideal, PLEASE come in so we can help shape your brain because this is as good as it gets.  These are the conditions you want for the next 4 months!

Steelhead - Early winter fish can be coming into every one of the Puget Sound rivers as well as all of the OP rivers.  River levels are in great shape, low, so very approachable and with some coloration which is always nice.  By the standards of magazine articles and other media outlets, this would be too early to be out there in earnest but if you know, NOW is a great time to be on the water, putting in the time for early bragging rights.  With all the water we have had, we would fully except there to be some early fish sneaking in right now.  Cowlitz remains probably a bit too high to find enough water to swing other than the run at the Blue Creek boat launch and even then, hope you are a solid wader!

Thinking about Spey this season?  We have 12 brands of spey rods in stock, they come with a FREE private casting lesson if purchased here.  We also have Tim Arsenault's Torrent head Bridge Lines in stock as well.  With all of the evolution in heads and rods, NOW is the time to get into Spey and if already here, come to the Seattle Spey Day on January 31st and try it all!

Puget Sound - The muddy Sound has mostly cleared and SRC's as well as resident Coho are around.  We suggest beaches with proximity to creek mouths at this time.  That has been where we have been finding them of late most consistently.  When we have encountered them they have not been selective.  Surface flies like our Sound Searcher have worked just as well as a Foul Free Herring or almost any other baitfish like pattern.  

Yakima River - The Yak has returned to a level we would be good with fishing finally.  1800cfs as this is written and has been on a consistently steady drop for a couple days.  Early January is going to be mostly a nymph game, some streamers and if lucky maybe finding a warm afternoon to target some BWO or Midge hatches.  Weather is the purse string holder here for the next month to 6 weeks until we see some of the consistent early hatches begin so pay attention.

As we welcome 2026, we enter our 28th year in business and are doubling down on our commitment to you.  We are transparent as air on where, when, why, what and how to approach any and all of the water around the PNW.  We are here to help you figure it all out.

Call or text us - 206-708-7250
Email us - shop@emeraldwateranglers.com
Message us - @ewaflyshop_seattle @emeraldwateranglerswa @ewa_women

Happy New Year, see everyone soon!

EWA Staff