Northwest Fly Fishing Magazine

Exposures
Puget Sound
March/April 2008
by Dave McCoy

Puget Sound is one of the most prolific, misunderstood and under appreciated fisheries in the PNW. Alive with native anadromous species such as Sea Run Cutthroat, Steelhead as well as 5 species of salmon, all calling it home. Many fly anglers are intimidated by its daunting size, at times relentlessly tough conditions and lack of knowledge of how to read the water and its contents.

This is an effort to help inspire those within close proximity(and afar)to take notice, get involved and begin to care about what happens out here. It’s in our back yard, we should.

Page 38

Image 1: Terry Soos fishes the north point at Southworth with temporary beach shelter in background.

Image 2: Purple Ochre starfish provides colorful distraction during the slack tide.

Image 3: Dylan Rose with a slender cutt found roaming the beach in January. While over all numbers of fish dwindle during the winter and tides are less than cooperative with daylight hours, there are still fish to play with in the salt mid-winter.

Page 39

Image 1: Jed Duke of New Hampshire takes a moment to admire the sunset after a long day on Whidbey Island chasing silvers.

Image 2: An example of a well stocked box. Fly of choice will vary amongst anglers. Some prefer to use patterns more representative of actual food forms found in Puget Sound. Shape, size, color and presentation all play important roles in imitating baitfish.

Image 3: Anglers work the point at Joemma Beach State Park. While boats will afford anglers unlimited access to the thousands of miles of coast line in Puget Sound, learning from the beach can be more educational.

Page 40

Image 1: An unfortunate sight. A perished blue whale provides an up close look at just how large these species are while also providing yet another reminder of what an amazing and diverse fishery the Sound is.

Image 2: Larry Kaster explores the south Sound on a perfect weather day during the late fall.

Image 3: Enormous male covered in sea lice caught roaming the south Sound. While not all of them are going to be this large, there are some exceptionally nice cutts, some over 20”. There are specific places within the Sound where fish of this size are more common than others.

Page 41

Image 1: Mike McCoy braves winter conditions at Lincoln Park to satisfy his saltwater itch.

Image 2: John Garland reaps one of the many benefits of early arrival during the summer, a spectacular sunrise over rising fish.

Image 3: This doesn’t fit the criteria for a productive beach in Puget Sound, but it is. Anglers allowing themselves to be pigeon holed into thinking only certain types of beaches will fish well will be missing out.

More photos here…EWA Puget Sound photos and EWA Puget Sound Food Form photos

See more of Dave McCoy’s images at www.davemccoyphotography.com.