Yep, whether you like it or not, summer has officially arrived so let's figure out how to get you out fishing around here...like now!
Mountain Creeks/Forks of the Snoqualmie - Leading off with the all-star in the line up at the moment. Pocket water, high sticking, dapping dry fly fishing all day long. Match the hatch if you like but not necessary at all. These fish realize their window of time for consumption is short, probably shorter this year with water flows but that is a different conversation. 7 1/2ft, 4-5x leader with Caddis, any attractor patterns like Wulff's or Adams or small foam Chubby flies will do just fine. Couple flies, floatant, maybe a spool of tippet and a snack bar...done! Tenkara would be a fabulous way to explore all of the small watersheds right now and we have a full line of Zen Tenkara to choose from.
Cedar River - Like the above, same sort of thing here. While it is a mini tailwater treat it like a freestone stream. Water very low and will be warmer in the afternoons so if you can, fish early, fish shadows, fish faster water. Faster water has more oxygen in it and will be colder than slow, stagnant water and when clear, has visual cover from predators. Think a bit like a fish if you can, it will help you figure out where, when and why they sit where they do.
Puget Sound - Sound is the Sound. Fishing pretty well when you can liberate yourself from the kelp. Topwater remains a favorite among our staff. Outgoing tides are going to be WAY more friendly for the next few months while we have the kelp in our lives so pay attention to those. Fish early in the AM if you can, low light is also going to be fish friendly as will a slight breeze during the middle of the day to soften that direct sunlight. 5-6wt rods, leaders about 7-8ft to 0-2x and we will leave it up to you to either fish a floating or intermediate line. Though we all fish mostly a floater...
Yakima River - Fly fishing the Yakima River in the summer is a caddis and big foam fly game for much of the time with some streamers tossed in. Nymphing of course an option as well but we find it more fun to skate flies across the tailouts and off the banks. Hoppers will show up soon adding to the reasons why to stay topwater. Flows will be relatively high for most of the summer so many walk and wade spots will be tough. Floating longer stretches in the flows keep you moving and covering new water the entire time.
Steelhead - Slim picking on the wild ones at the moment. Portions of the Skykomish remain open for a week or so here and then they will close, Skagit and Sauk are open as well but not well known for summer run fish. At the moment, either settle for hatchery fish on the Cowlitz which is a fantastic river to swing flies on or head out to the OP or down to Oregon. Smaller flies, longer leaders on Scandi heads are the name of the game right now so come in and let's swap out the Skagit head for something a bit more fun and suited to the conditions.
Warmwater - Game on! You name it, go chase it. Carp, small and large mouth bass, crappie, Muskie and bluegill. Nearly every stillwater fishery in this area has one or more of these in them. Stand Up Paddleboard for any of these would perfect.
Short but sweet this week, video report is out on Friday morning, find us on YouTube or on our social channels to stay up to date with events and and what is happening around Seattle and western Washington in the fly fishing community.
We are here for ya people, probably more so than any other in the region. Take advantage of it, that is what we are here for. Have fun out there, have a great 4th of July and we will see you soon.
Call | 206-708-7250
Email | shop@emeraldwateranglers.com
Instagram | @ewaflyshop_seattle @ewa_women @emeraldwateranglerswa
