About the middle to end of October, nearly everyone begins the long yearning for dry fly season to return. Well here we are and to add to the excitement is that this is an odd year. Do you understand what that means?
In odd numbered years we have the honor of hosting the return of 1 of our 5 Pacific Salmon Species, the Pink Salmon. This will be an extraordinary year for them, predicted return is currently at 7.9 million to Puget Sound. That is nearly double 2 years ago!
They begin to arrive in late June usually with the peak of the bell curve being mid to late July. So get your pink flies now or come grab your favorite pink material...bunny strip, dubbing, bucktail, schlapen, marabou or other synthetic and get to tying!
Cedar River - IT'S NOT OPEN YET! Drove past the other day to find 3 people standing there fishing the Cedar. I don't entirely hold it against them, it looked perfect but it doesn't open until the end of this month so hold on a bit longer.
South and Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie - While the Middle is a bit high the south is just at the top of where we would think to go fish it. Either way, they aren't out of control at the moment so if you only have a bit of time, head out there and scope out your favorite spots or learn some new ones. We are always willing to show you places to investigate. In a few of our classes lately, we have been catching fish on top. Big caddis, stimulator's and mid sized foam flies have duped those curious little trout a number of times. As we move towards more consistent warmer weather, expect to see flows jump and stay high for a bit so be careful. Our page up top has our recommended flows with a link to current flow next to it, us this please! Questions, call us or text us 206-708-7250
EWA Creek Fly Selection
Yakima River - Mother's Day Caddis Hatch is nearly upon us. In the past few years, water temps and weather have pushed the lively portion of the hatch back another week or so but the only way to find out is to be there and do so often. Still seeing March Browns, PMD's as well and with water temps livening up, fish are more active so definitely toss streamers against those banks as your are drifting, be a more active angler, improve your skills in casting and presentation as opposed to just watching a bobber float along for the sake of catching. Just saying...
One thing we don't hear enough people doing this time of year when caddis begin to bounce around is skating caddis for trout. Sometimes called skittering, when the caddis lays its eggs on the surface, often times they bounce on the water and spey casting with a riffle hitched caddis, maybe a foam one or an emerging one like an X Caddis is such a fun way to fish. Lift the rod tip a bit and give a gentle wiggle as the fly of choice swings across and wait for the explosion. It's exhilarating and provides a different POV of the Yakima.
Puget Sound - Here we go...Chum fry are on their way north but behind them come the rest of the "hatches" of baitfish for SRC's to predate upon. Chum fry grow pretty fast so those flies imitating them need to be a bit longer, probably inch and half to 2 inches now and their backs are getting darker so a more lateral line will be good too. Dry fly season here is as good as it gets. The Sound Searcher reigns king among flies for many of us as the cutthroat make hay while the sun shines, eating as much as possible right now while the getting is good. We like olive colored flies for the most part, nearly all year! We understand this fishery can be frustrating at times, it is far less predictable than a river or a lake as it moves through tides. That is exactly what we are here for, ask us questions, book a school or a guide trip and let's get on the water with you to help you better understand how to fish it.
EWA Puget Sound Fly Selection
Steelhead - This is a bit of a slow month for steelhead, we really apologize to all of you who might head this direction in May hoping to swing for some steel but we only have a few rivers open at this time. The Cowlitz being one of them and it is in limbo. Yes, possibly some late arriving spring chrome coming in but a tad early for summer fish, give it another month or so. In lieu of that, grab the trout spey and go hit the Yakima!
Lakes - Many of the east side lakes and west side for that matter are open for business here now. There are so many, it is impossible to list them all but Beaver, Pass, Rattlesnake, Alice as well as Nunnally, Lenore and Dry Falls on the east side will be moving through their spring hatches as we speak. Not necessarily always a chironomid game, leaches, water boatmen and early damsel nymphs will work too. If you are still kicking around these lakes in old school style float tubes or u-boats, come in and let's talk about a more efficient mode of getting around on these lakes that are better in wind and safer for you.
Warmwater - Over looked by so many in WA, we need to get on the train here people. Bass, perch and carp are in many of our waters and are crazy fun to fish for and for those who live in Seattle, have kids, limited time and just need to get out...hello! Little poppers or even your Chernobyl Ants will work great much of the time for the bass and perch. Carp are going to be a bit more of a challenge but Green Lake has a ton of them with plenty of space to spread out and see what works. We have a staff of carp anglers so definitely call us with questions. If driving doesn't scare you, the Columbia River has spots everywhere from Sauvie Island near Portland all the way out to Banks Lake. Any big flat you see they will be present so don't go anywhere without a fly rod, ever!
EWA Bass Fly Selection
Lastly, Muskie are in WA too. We had the privilege of having Blane Chocklett out last year to do a Muskie School with us and we will do it again next year so keep an eye open for dates. Tapps and Mayfield are the two locations you will find them. Mostly a boat game but an SUP would certainly do the job as well. Big flies, big, specific rods and lines with thoughtful techniques on presentation. If you are in this sport because of the technical side, point your attention here! We have Chocklett Factory flies in stock as well as Muskie specific rods and lines so come by and let's chat.
It was a long one but it is that time of year, A LOT to choose from in the neighborhood so read, decide and go! Venture out knowing we are always here to assist you in your fly angling endeavors. Never be bashful about asking. If it steepens your learning curve, get that behind you so you can get to the next question.
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shop@emeraldwateranglers.com | 206-708-7250 | @ewaflyshop_seattle
