Seattle Fly Fishing Opportunities
Surrounding Seattle, fly fishing is a year around endeavor dramatically changing with every season. Steelhead are in one river or another almost every month of the year. Puget Sound provides a 365 day a year saltwater fishery for native sea run cutthroat as well as Coho, Pink and Chum salmon during the summer and fall months. During the summer around Seattle fly fishing is everywhere…world famous steelhead rivers, saltwater, lakes and stunning small streams for native cutthroat and rainbow trout and we know all of it intimately. Here is a glimpse of the variety a Seattle fly fishing adventure can provide.
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Yakima and Cle Elum Rivers – Rainbow and Cutthroat
The Yakima and Cle Elum Rivers are Washington’s most popular and open all year trout rivers. Located an hour and half from Seattle, both rivers offer a wide variety of fly fishing opportunities throughout the year for rainbow and native cutthroat trout employing dry fly, streamer and nymphing tactics.
Rainbow and Westslope cutthroat trout
$495 + WA tax, full day float, 1-2 anglers
$100 3rd angler
4-6wt rods, floating lines
Feb. – May and late Sept. – Nov. Blue Winged Olives, Skwala Stones, PMD’s, March Brown’s, October Caddis
May – Sept. – PMD’s, Caddis, Grasshopper’s, streamers
Nov. – Feb. – BWO’s, Midge
Puget Sound – Sea Run Cutthroat
Puget Sound is Washington’s most expansive and diverse fishery with well over 15oo miles of shoreline to explore. Native Coastal Cutthroat trout reside in these salty waters and are available throughout the entire year. Chum and Pink salmon fry enter the saltwater igniting a feeding frenzy beginning in late February which begins the baitfish season in the Sound.
Native Sea Run (Coastal) Cutthroat
$350 + WA tax half day, $450 + WA tax full day walk and wade, 1-2 anglers
$100 3rd angler
5-6wt rods, floating and/or intermediate lines
Jan. – Dec. – Sea run cutthroat on surface flies representing injured baitfish
Feb. – April – Chum and Pink fry emerge from streams
April – Oct. – Sandlance and Herring are the prevalent baitfish food forms
April – Sept. – Eupasid/Krill are present represented by smaller shrimp flies
Mar. – Sept. – Polycheate or “worms”, yep we said it, worms!
Mountain Streams – Native Trout
The small and often lesser known stream littered around the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges are the true gems for fly anglers, particularly those visiting Seattle as they are an easy strike from the city. Light, slow action rods are fantastic and novice anglers will thrive on these beautiful streams. Surrounded by old growth timber and cool, gin clear water, these streams are home to native cutthroat and rainbow trout with scenery unmatched by other trout rivers in Washington.
Native rainbow, Coastal and Westslope cutthroat
$350 + WA tax half day, $450 + WA tax full day walk and wade, 1-2 anglers
$100 3rd angler
0-3wt and glass rods
Mid June – October – 0-3wt or glass rods, dry flies and few other anglers if any
Steelhead
The wild Steelhead is Washington’s state fish. Globally known for its size and fighting mannerisms, these fish are spread far and wide through the state. This is where we pursue them through the year.
Wild steelhead
$550 + WA tax full day float, 1-2 anglers
$100 3rd angler
$200 per angler/per night, multi day float/camp trip
6-8wt two handed spey rods, Skagit for winter/Scandi for summer heads
June – January – Puget Sound Rivers – Skagit, Sauk, Skykomish, Snoqualmie
January – April – Olympic Peninsula River – Hoh, Queets, Sol Duc, Bogachiel
September – December – Upper Columbia River Tribs – Methow, Wenatchee, Klickitat, Grande Ronde
November – January – Hatchery Season – Cowlitz, Kalama, Bogachiel
Emerald Water Anglers, LLC has a wide range of full day and half day fly fishing trips launching out of Seattle. We are a fully licensed and insured fly fishing outfitter here in Washington.
Group trips or casting clinics are welcome as all of our fly fishing guides are also accomplished instructors. With thirteen guides, we are able to guarantee a maximum of two anglers per guide. This ensures that your Seattle fly fishing trip to our Washington waters during your visit will be customized to your fly fishing experience. A guided trip is more than just going to the water to catch fish: it is a fun, educational experience.
Gift certificates are available for all trips as well as gift cards in any denomination.
For those new to our Seattle fly fishing, we have a full line of top demo gear available. Rods from Scott, Sage and Winston are great for beginning fly fishing, or those thinking of a new rod purchase in the near future. Also Simms and Patagonia waders and boots provide comfort and performance in the sometimes cold waters around Seattle. There is no charge for the use of our gear as we want you to enjoy your Seattle Fly Fishing trip.
We are a strict catch and release fly fishing guide service. This preserves our Washington fisheries so that when you arrive in Seattle, there will always be fish eager to take your fly.
All of our staff are accomplished photographers as well and carry cameras on their trips so that you can concentrate on fly fishing and still go home with great pictures of the scenic Seattle area – and that big fish you caught! (You are welcome to also bring your camera – Washington is truly one of the most beautiful places to fly fish.)
One of the best parts of fly fishing out of Seattle is that there are so many options for the non-anglers in your group. Whether they like hiking or shopping or dining, Seattle is a world-class city with something for everyone. Our guides live in or near Seattle, and we’re happy to make recommendations so you can relax on the river to catch fish knowing everyone is enjoying their stay.
Things to do near Seattle:
Red Hook Brewery – The Pacific North West is famous for micro-brew, and Red Hook is one of the originals in a beautiful setting just a short drive north from downtown Seattle.
Museum of Flight – The history of flight, space and our own Seattle company Boeing in a magnificent building just south of downtown Seattle.
Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder – During the summer months, watching the salmon and steelhead pass through the fish ladder is a fun and educational experience for kids and adults alike. Picnics on the lawn among the gardens are a popular choice with Seattle area locals and visitors alike. Located in Ballard, 15 minutes from downtown Seattle.
Lodging near Seattle:
Salish Lodge and Spa – Located on the top of Snoqualmie Falls just half an hour from Seattle and minutes from the mountains is a gorgeous property with fly fishing right out the back door for native trout.
The Grove – Just blocks from our store, the only place to stay in West Seattle with easy walking to local restaurants and easy pick up for our trips.
Cedarbrook Lodge – Just south of Seattle and right next to SEATAC airport, with easy access to some of our our premier fly fishing locations.
Hotel Ballard – NW of downtown Seattle about 15 minutes this classic commercial fishing neighborhoods is now a travel destination filled with Seattle area history, boutiques and eateries.
Three Tree Point B&B – This stunning residence just south of Seattle overlooks the Puget Sound, our favorite fishery for native sea run cutthroat.
Inn at the Market – In the heart of Seattle, next to Pike Street Market and across from the iconic Steelhead Diner, this is a great choice if the non-anglers in your group would like easy access to Seattle while you enjoy the day fly fishing.
Edgewater Hotel – On Puget Sound in downtown Seattle and just below Pike Street Market, another great choice for staying in Seattle.
6th Avenue Inn – Currently closed for remodel.
Silver Cloud Inn – Located in SODO, just south of downtown Seattle and right next to the baseball and football stadiums, this is another great walking location.
Marriott Waterfront Hotel – Downtown Seattle at your fingertips and fly fishing just an hour from your door.
Grand Hyatt – Center of downtown Seattle, great for business and pleasure.
Great food in Seattle:
Steelhead Diner – While in Seattle, it should be a requirement to stop in and grab a bit at the Steelhead Diner, owned by good friend Kevin Davis. Admire the hand tied steelhead flies tied by legendary steelhead anglers from around the PNW.
We accept cash, check as well as AMEX, VISA, MC and Discover
In short, we want to do all we can to ensure you have the best trip possible while visiting Seattle, and fly fishing with us.
