For those here in Washington, Hoot Owl is not a term we deal with often.  It originally referred to the early AM work hours when owls might be encountered which we now apply to the early hours of the day to fish.  This is because when water flows are down and temps are high, we try to fish early when it is safer for the fish.  Much of Montana is already seeing this and we may see them here this year as well.  We are already seeing lower than normal water flows on many rivers and streams and we aren't to the hottest part of the summer yet. 

Water as it leaves the mountain in the early AM, will warm as if flows down river through the sun and air exposure.  On some streams, at the right time of year, you may see a water temp shift of 8 degrees or more in a single day.  This can cause a full spectrum of insects to hatch throughout but by the end of the day, temps may also be above save levels for some species to be caught and safely released.

So our recommendation is go to bed early so you can fish early, be done early, celebrate the experience early and repeat.  Land fish fast and keep them in the water.  #keepfishwet

Yakima River - At the normal summer flows for the most part because it is a dam controlled watershed known as a tailwater.  Caddis all day long against the banks and certainly in any shade you find and if you must, go deep and nymph away.  Lower light and cooler water in the AM will usually have fish being a bit less reserved about coming up.  Trout spey right now with so many caddis around is a ton of fun, either skating or swinging emgerger and soft hackle flies.  

Puget Sound - Pinks are entering the upper Sound like the south side of Whidbey Island so they should be in our backyard any moment.  Pink flies are the ticket.  12-20lb test tippet, 6-7ft long, intermediate line is ideal and on anything from a 6-8wt rod will land you squarely in the game.  These fish take a rather direct route to their spawning grounds so the places or points along their path will be your encouter zones.  Lincoln, Brown's, Dash, Kayak, Richmond, Picnic, Point No Point, Fort Casey among others.  Nothing is really secret here which you will see when you arrive on the beach.  Be polite, respect everyone with a rod and all will be fine.  As for our beloved SRC's, they don't want to be ignored and with so many chasing salmon, most of the beaches for cutthroat will likely be void of other anglers.  

Summer Steelhead - Cowlitz River is littered with fish right now and is a wonderful river to swing flies on.  Likely crowded and not a great river to only access from the bank but a small watercraft opens the doors to so much good water.  6-8wt spey rod, your choice of summer like steelhead fly, hopefully tied by you and a Scandi head with long leader and you are rigged for a good day.  Locally, the Green is sooooooo over looked it isn't funny.  Beautiful, close, has fish and open!  Just check regs on what is open where for what you are doing.  There are salmon closures but should be open for steelhead and trout.

Warmwater - Our annual Smoots Clooper Carp Tournament is this weekend at Banks Lake so to those heading over there, have a great time.  As we talk about rivers and streams getting too warm for trout but you are still hankering for a bent rod, please consider bass, crappie, muskie and carp!  They are so fun and there are so many places to chase them nearby, it is actually what we should all be doing some of.  5-7wt rods and floating lines for most of these.  Many of the flies you would use for trout during times of the year cross over nicely into bass and other warm water species.  Chernobyl Ants/Hoppers, Pat's Stones, leaches, Sound Searchers, Dave's Hopper and rubber legged Stimulators do great on lakes for bass and carp.  Muskie on Tapps and Mayfield will require some things slightly different such as 10-11wt rods, shooting head lines and flies the size of your child's arm.  Sort of fun actually, especially talking about it...

Creeks and Cedar - We are half way through the Cedar season, it is still fishing well, water temps are climbing up so pay attention to that, particularly in the evening.  Water is pretty low everywhere and Highway 2 is now closed.  We know a ton of small streams to explore, we will not post the names here but if you want to stop by, we can go over some maps with you and talk about options close to you that you might consider.  The small streams should be all dry fly all the time.  We just don't feel as though it is that necessary to catch every fish so if you can't get them to come up top, leave them be.  Just our opinion...Caddis, attractors like Humpies and Wulff's will be good options.  You can use 5x or smaller if you like and as a fly shop we should be encouraging it but much of the time, 4x will work and save you a fly or two.  

Boom, that is it!  GO HAVE FUN and if you need help doing so please come see us...we are here for you on nearly every format and level possible to help you have a great time and improve your skills out there, single hand, spey, saltwater or international.  

Sincerely,

EWA Staff
206-708-7250 | shop@emeraldwateranglers.com | @ewaflyshop_seattle | @ewa_women