Yep, time has finally arrived for the every two year migration of anglers to all the west pointing spits along Puget Sound in hopes of intersecting with a Pink Salmon.  There are supposed to be in the neighborhood of 8,000,000 of them returning this year so our thought is the only way not to catch one would be to simply not fish!  You will likely be one of the few not so be prepared for chaos and community of Pink Salmon here in Puget Sound.

Puget Sound - Pink salmon are officially here so it is now time to figure out where to go for them.  The regs are somewhat tricky up on Whidbey so be sure you are legal if you head up there and a bit the same down this way south of Seattle.  The irony that with so many returning the there might be restrictions in place until August 1st is a bit baffling but OK...

In short, you will want a 6-8wt rod, intermediate line, stripping basket, pink flies and to be in water where they will be passing by.  Should you not have these, a 5wt would work, a sinking Poly Leader on a floating line, with flourocarbon leader material will pass, a stripping basket and for sure, pink flies and fishing in there water.  If none of this is possible, 5-8wt rod, floating line, 15lb test leader material 8ft +or- long with a heavy PINK FLY and you might still be in the game.  

For those looking for solitude, chase cutthroat trout as most won't be paying attention to them again for a couple months.

We have all of this so come by and we will help you figure it out.

Yakima River - Flows are up to summer levels so most of the walk and wade areas will be a challenge to say the least, doable but likely better spots to consider.  Caddis, caddis emergers, skating caddis would be our suggestion.  Why not take advantage of them while they are here.  Float trips are key until early September when flows will begin to drop for the fall season.  Hoppers are everywhere as well so don't be shy, toss a few of those at the grass and see what ensues.

Cascade Creeks - Water is low and clear as the air and getting a bit warmer.  These early AM clouds really help keeping water temps down a bit for the afternoon so take advantage.  Caddis, Purple Haze (don't ask us why) because of the shape or silhouette and any attractor patterns you might have will likely work too.  Ants, beetles, hoppers, this is their season so have a few of those too. 

Warmwater - Prime time for bass, carp, muskie in all the lakes.  Poppers for bass, little wormy crawling things for carp and one of your kids smaller stuffed animals for the muskie.  We have a few of Blane Chocklett's flies to replicate if you are an empty nester and they are packed away.  The Schmoot's Clooper Carp Tourney had a tough weekend with clouds and wind, not a great recipe for success over on Banks Lake but 11 were still landed, great job to those anglers who made it over and as always, thank you Bill and Boyd for putting it on, we love you guys.

Cedar River - We are about a month out, water is low and getting pretty warm so fish early if you are able.  As the water warms, one of two things will occur for the fish.  They will either move to deeper holes with cover or they will move into faster water which is usually a couple degrees cooler and has more oxygen.  Some of the riffle water you might usually traipse through might be the water they are holding in now.  Both situations also provide safety from winged predators, yet another reason you will find them there.

As has always been the case here at EWA, we enjoy answering questions so bring them to us.  Here is where and how...

EWA Staff
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