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Seattle Fly Fishing Report – June 29, 2020 – Cool Weather/Low Water

June 29, 2020 by adminewa Leave a Comment

Well we finally coincided summer with some cool weather resulting in some nice low water flows on local rivers and streams which means…time to fish!

Mountain Creeks – We always suggest using high water time to do some due diligence on new places to get on the water and now that time spent should begin to pay off. Looking at the flows today, the Forks of the Snoqualmie are in great shape especially the South Fork. Water will still be cold but fish should be looking up more and more so mid sized stimulator (stimi) with a dropper of your choice should do the trick. If you start getting strikes on top, take the dropper off and just play on top and don’t be afraid to get yourself close to some of the pocket water you are trying to fish either. These fish live in a volatile world so someone standing in the water 10-15 feet away is not likely to spook them…yet! Later in the summer when water is lower, slower, clearer and warmer it will be not so much now.

Puget Sound – Sand Lance have arrived and they are close to shore so make first casts near the bank before stepping into the water. As we move into the summer, many of the bait the SRC’s (Sea Run Cutthroat) will be predating upon are becoming larger in profile so slightly longer flies will be beneficial. With all the kelp in the water, intermediate lines MAY get you below it to some degree but not a guarantee as it is drifting throughout the water column. Stripping baskets are definitely more relevant these days so look into one of those, we have 4 versions beginning at $45 and our rules for engagement are as follows.

1. Cover water methodically when you can.
2. When fly is around fish but not getting any takes, change retrieve first and then fly if this persists.
3. Tip in the water pointed at fly line while retrieving.
4. Outgoing tide, early in the AM if possible, otherwise fish when you can fish.

Yakima and Cle Elum Rivers – These are heading towards their summer flows which will remain high for the summer until mid September most likely. This means caddis in the evenings will be a good bet, nymphing through the middle of the day is always solid and if you have access to a boat, use it! Access will be severely diminished for the walk and wade angler until fall. Trout spey will give you a bit more advantage in these high water times too, just saying!

Bass and Carp – This is the time of year for both. Big surface flies near any and all structure such as docks, rocks and lily pads are going to be sure things and during the heat of the day, get down with any of your trout like streamers in those same locations. Carp Tournament is coming up fast, let us know if interested in signing up for it.

Steelhead – Now is a fabulous time to switch out those heads from winter Skagit to summer Rage or Scandi heads and if you have a long rod from the days of old, let’s chat long belly lines from Bridge. Nice delicate, long tapered heads are a joy to cast and handle smaller summer type flies with finesse. Get out and swing away everyone, great time of the early summer to possibly come into contact with our state fish.

As always, questions in this complicated Seattle area world of fly fishing, don’t wait, just call – 206-708-7250

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers, Reports Tagged With: bass fly fishing, carp fly fishing, carp tournament, Emerald Water Anglers, ewareports, FFI Certified, Puget Sound, Puget sound fly fishing, Seattle Fly Fishing, Seattle fly fishing guides, Snoqualmie River fly fishing, spey casting, spey casting classes, steelhead fly fishing, trout spey, Washington fly fishing reports, Yakima River

Carping in WA – The Fish – by Bill Marts

March 27, 2019 by adminewa Leave a Comment

The Fish

Common Carp – Cyprinus carpio (no, not Di Caprio) was introduced to the USA in the early to mid-19th century through the early 20th century by Europeans for commercial harvest as a food fish.  From private fish farms and intentional transporting, carp were introduced into our public and open waters.  They fed on Chironomidae, aquatic insects, terrestrial insects, crawfish, small fish, vegetation and detritus.  That just about covers everything in our waters.  They went forth and multiplied and thrived.  They eventually fell out of gastronomic favor and were mostly regarded as “trash” fish.

It wasn’t until late 20th century that carp eventually revealed their savvy feeding habits, strength and sporting qualities to a few fly fishers.  I am sure there were fly fishers on the water before the 1990’s who actually targeted carp on a fly, but they hid in the closet (closet carpers), ashamed to admit that they wanted to catch a carp on a fly.  I couldn’t find anything written before the mid-1990’s, but I and my friend Darc Knobel started aiming for carp with a fly.  It actually took several months to finally figure out the code to hooking them.  We eventually succeeded and it has been an adventure ever since.  We are constantly looking for better patterns, fishing techniques and new waters.

Since I live in Washington State, I can only attest to what we have discovered here since those early days over 20 years ago.  I will tell you, in future posts, about the methods, gear and flies that have worked well for us, but I have a feeling it will pertain to waters everywhere.  I also fished numerous Northern California waters for Carp with varying successes.

There are three types of carp we are concerned with in Washington: Common, Mirror and Grass.  It is illegal to target Grass Carp in Washington.  So, I don’t fish for them, and won’t mess with writing about them.  The other two are fair game.  See photos for Common and Mirror Carp.  The first time I landed a Mirror Carp, I thought it was sick, so I didn’t touch it until I looked it up later.  While they are not rare, they are uncommon.

  • Common Carp
  • Mirror Carp

Here in Washington, Carp become fishable in the spring when the ice is off the waters and the sun starts warming the shallow bays.  Warming skinny waters next to rivers and around lakes invite early Carp.

I once started exploring waters of Banks Lake in early April for Carp and found them in a shallow bay.  The water temp was 53 degrees F.  They were feeding. They were not spawning yet.  I was shocked to find them but had a blast taking advantage of the situation.

Here in the Northwest, the spawn starts taking place when the waters hit 60 – 65 degrees F.  Depending upon water temps in different waters, carp will start sometime between mid-April/early May to full on in June and maybe into early July.  The early spawning antics of carp include their gang-banging, female-chasing riots (6 – 8 males after a single female), they’ll usually take a rest sometime during the day, breathing heavy (having a smoke) and start all over again maybe two or three times during a day.  After this episode of orgy behavior, that may last several days to a few weeks or more on big bodies of water, they are hungry and ready to eat.  They are not impossible to catch during the spawn, but it takes patience and determination

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers, Events, Reports Tagged With: Bill Marts, carp, carp tournament, Emerald Water Anglers, fly fishing carp, Seattle Fly Fishing, Washington

EWA Fly Fishing Events – May

April 26, 2018 by adminewa Leave a Comment


EWA Fly Fishing events coming up in May and beyond…here are some things to put on your calendar for sure!  As we head into summer, now is the time to freshen up your casting with some private casting, finally pick up fly tying or join us on one of our many fishing excursions we offer throughout the summer.  Creeks, Yakima, Puget Sound, bass and summer steelhead are all on the table, we know them all and are excited to get on the water with you. 

Yakima May Day’s – May is maybe the month to be on the Yakima as caddis are out, fish are focused and the sun is usually shining.  Here are some dates in May we still have open to get you out throwing dry flies on the Yak:

May 9th
May 27th

May 8, 2018 — Christmas Island Revisited! — 7pm @ EWA Store — FREE
Come listen and watch as Karlie and Caldwell revisit their trips to Christmas Island this past spring.  Beverages will be provided and good times will be had for sure!

June 2, 2018 – EWA Fly Fest @ Me Kwa Mooks Park in West Seattle – FREE
What has become quite an event continues to grow.  Cast every rod available from Winston, Sage, Scott, Loomis, Epic, Echo, Fenwick and Thomas and Thomas.  See the latest in reels from Nautilus, Bauer, Lamson, Sage, Tibor, 3 Tand and more as well as put new lines on your favorite rod.  Instruction, classes, seminars and our 11th Annual Guide Staff Cook Off.

July 20-21, 2018 — 2nd Annual EWA Carp Tournament @ Banks Lake — $75 per angler/50 Max
If you haven’t pursued carp on the fly before you haven’t lived!  Sight casting to these selective and strong fish either by foot, from an SUP or $60K boat, either way, they live up to what fly fishing is supposed to be…fun!  Sponsored by Sage, winners will walk with some extraordinary prizes and all with leave humbled for sure!  Please call the store to book you space, few slots left.

December 1 -2, 2018 — Dec Hogan Spey Clinic — $295 per person/6 maximum
The man, myth and legend, Dec himself will be back in the PNW to enlighten and answer questions on all things spey and steelhead.  Whether just learning or well seasoned, Dec is always a pleasure to spend the day with.  Please call the store to reserve your space.

Bug’s ‘N Brew’s – $20 – EWA Store @ 7-9pm – Women Only!
May 3rd – 7-9pm
May 17th – 7-9pm

1 Day Intro to Fly Fishing Schools – $225 – Forks of the Snoqualmie – 3 people max
June 23rd – 1 spot open
July 11th – 2 spots open

2 Day Fly Fishing Immersion Schools – $425 – Forks of the Snoqualmie -3 people max
May 5-6 – 2 spots open
June 20-21 – 2 spots open
June 23-24 – 1 spot open
July 14 – 15 – 1 spot open

Drift Boat Rowing – $250 – Snoqualmie River, 3 people max
June 23rd
July 7th

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers, Events Tagged With: bass, boat rowing, carp tournament, Dec Hogan, Emerald Water Anglers, fly fishing event, fly fishing schools, fly tying, guiding trips, Seattle, spey casting, steelhead, trout, Washington, women's fly fishing, Yakima River

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