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Sprinting Out of 2020…Slowing to Enjoy 2021

January 13, 2021 by adminewa Leave a Comment

Wow, I could go on for…forget it, let’s bid 2020 adieu!

So long and so on to what I hope is a beloved 2021 and what to look forward to here in the Seattle area, the greater PNW and beyond. A decidedly paltry understatement would be there is much anticipation for 2021 on nearly every front…obviously!

I live, guide, photograph and travel from Seattle, WA.  I have broken rods, reels, lines some laws and bones in 40 countries and because of this I have come to greatly appreciate the incredible diversity of our surrounding fisheries. My friends, we have some extraordinary fly angling here and maybe for better than worse, little of it receives much time in any spotlight. Well here is a bit less than 15 minutes for some of them.

First and most immediately we are smack dab in the middle of our winter, wild steelhead season. Within 150 miles of Seattle lie some epic names in steelhead angling such as the Skagit, Sauk, Skykomish, Stillaguamish, Hoh, Queets and Sol Duc but we have others too!

However, this season comes with fishing restrictions unlike we have ever seen before and sadly, for good reason. Numbers of fish on many of these rivers continue to decline, enough so, we should count ourselves lucky to be fishing them at all this year. New restrictions affecting Olympic Peninsula rivers that would impact some fly anglers is no fishing from a floating device and all rivers closing at the end of March. For me and the rest of us here at EWA, this bears little impact as we have always used boats for transport and fishing upon arrival at our next run. 

That said, our rivers here in WA and OR are stunning. Arrival in the rainforest should be cherished for the soulful experience it provides.  Regardless of fish or no fish, we should be grateful for the time spent here.

Following closely and nipping at its heels will be the arrival of Chum salmon fry into the salty waters of Puget Sound. Every year, sometime in late February or early March, these migratory fry exit their birth rivers to enter the dangerous hunting grounds of the Clarki Clarki or sea run, Coastal Cutthroat trout.

Puget Sound has over 2000 miles of shoreline but as luck, or actually nature would have it, their safe haven is very near shore, the shallow water beaches of the Sound attracting our beloved SRC’s within striking distance of us, the overwhelmed by its magnitude but otherwise dauntless fly angler. 

Having toted a fly rod around the world over the past 10 years, I can say with experience and some degree of favoritism that when all 3 of these elements collide it’s just silly.

Small pods of SRC’s from 12-20 inches, aggressively pursue these fry, scattering them with wreckless abandon. Hook ups are often within 20ft and surface flies imitating injured bait draw regular attention. When it really goes off, multiple pods are going about their business all around, you have a fish on and more are jumping around you and at times it feels like a mini Nat Geo episode and you are smack in the middle, shin deep.  Did I mention migratory Coho salmon during the later summer and fall, yeah, that happens too!

Should the Sound be a bit much to wrap the mind around, our one and only year around trout river, the Yakima is awakening as well. BWO’s, Skwala and March Browns will challenge and delight. If flows are down, take the to banks, plenty of walk and wade access on this river and experiencing the high desert from a boat can be equally rewarding so choose your destiny and prepare accordingly for Mother Nature, you never know what’s in store in February, March and April.

As the Yakima moves into May however, still be prepared but have those summer shirts and pant waders available, spring can show its face on occasion and it shouldn’t be missed. Mother’s Day Caddis Hatch is on everyone in this regions calendar and while seasonally it shifts around, just plan on throwing PMD’s and Caddis from mid May through mid July and with luck, for most or all of the day.

When most fly anglers fly into Seattle on a sunny day, the obtuse amount of water visible from the air typically incites childlike anticipation of getting on the ground and stepping in, somewhere, now!

We do have a ton of water here in Washington, no doubt but it is not all created equal. We are not Montana or Colorado on steriods, at least not in the way most would think. Washington’s true treasure trove is our small creeks and streams. Those often times nameless blue lines littered across Google Earth in absurd quantities through the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges.

It’s silly. I have lived here for over 20 years and every year I make myself go learn a new blue line. I mean why not? The Yakima garners nearly all the airwaves of attention while many of these small streams boast serenity on a level I have seen people pay many thousands of dollars to experience elsewhere. Crystal clear water, spotting rising or resting native trout, surrounded by old growth forest with few if no other anglers around and within 90 minutes of Seattle…meh, forget I said anything!

We won the lottery in this respect, we really did. I always tell people around here, if you are looking for an excuse to buy a new rod, here go, you NEED a 2-3wt.

Some of the water we consider “creeks” would be in the top 10 rivers size wise in other states so you should see them regularly or you could feel out of sorts from one month to the next, as if it is new water each time, which is wonderful too!

And there it is, the excuse to go fish, often.

Mid summer here is ridiculous. All the creeks, Puget Sound, summer steelhead, carp in a myriad of lakes, bass in the same, high alpine lakes, pike, muskie and should you really desire it, let’s toss in a bit a Pacific Albacore of our coast. Have a 12wt with some dust on it? Bring it!

Tuna is the epitome of putting your skills to the test. Balance while casting a 12wt with 500 grain sinking head and big fly, playing a 20lb fish trying to swim to China through the bottom of the Pacific without ripping the fly out of its mouth and keeping your lunch down while 3-5 others do the same around you keeping in mind, none of you actually have control over your fish for the first 10 minutes or so…it’s good practice!

All the above stay with us into fall until we reach November when creeks close, cold precip returns and my mind circles back to winter steelhead.
Sprinting Out of 2020…Slowing to Enjoy 2021!

Somewhere in that crazy schedule of changing tactics, location, species and equipment I usually slip away to somewhere new. This is the tick in my brain I am unable shake…new water!

This past year has been rough to say the least on all of us. Looking ahead I can see NZ, Seychelles, Costa Rica, BC, AK and Russia doing their little dance in front of me like a tease. My hope for everyone in this sport is they find a way to fuel their engine to get on the water and if there is a way to do so without the liability of whether or not a fish is caught making the experience, then you have truly succeeded.

It is the adventure, the road, all the sideways occurrences from flat tires to no plug in the boat, diverted airplanes, bears/cats/elephants/shark, broken rods, lost passports, language barriers, hurricanes and the lot that are going to make up the bulk of any fish story. Think about it…

Here’s to a safe and vibrant fishing year in 2021!





Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers, Reports Tagged With: Cascade Mountains, Dave McCoy Photography, Emerald Water Anglers, Fly Fishing, Olympic Peninsula, Pacific Albacore, Puget Sound, Puget sound fly fishing, Sea Run Cutthroat, Seattle Fly Fishing, Seattle fly fishing guides, Seattle fly fishing reports, spey casting, trout, tuna, tuna fly fishing, washington fly fishing, Washington fly fishing reports, Wild Steelhead, Yakima River

Seattle Fly Fishing Report – August 19, 2020 – Ahhh-gust

August 19, 2020 by adminewa Leave a Comment

Every year we enter summer looking forward to the days when weather is predictable, water levels are down and approachable and fish are looking up! Now that we are here we can’t wait for water and air temps to drop like a winter sun and fall freshets to perk up our finned friends.

So that said, the Yakima River is HIGH, hovering around 4000cfs and the wind has been howling on some days but the hoppers are out and about for a bit more time until we get our first couple of cold nights. So take advantage of it or wait for a few weeks until the flows drop and walk and wading is a bit easier/safer and fall hatches begin. Either way, get out there because summer is almost gone!

We went from many creeks being high and cold to now all of them are super lower, clear and often quite warm. Fish have navigated their way to either very deep holes, log jams or are sitting in faster moving semi deep water where oxygen is more plentiful, cover is there and water temps are a couple degrees cooler. This means slightly altered approach to your favorite small stream both in fly selection and presentation. Bigger dries look more enticing and will more easily suspend small droppers but matching sparse hatches will become more necessary as the fish become more selective in these low, clear water situations. Yes, even on the small streams!

Puget Sound as been kicking out some migratory Coho up north and for those with boats, Blackmouth have been around in good numbers as well. Most of the baitfish have gained considerable size including Herring and Sand Lance so larger profile flies for the salmon will often do the trick with an ever so slightly slower, more deliberate retrieve. Not a bad time to employ an intermediate line as well and that will require a stripping basket. Cutts are out there too but likely most other fisheries, early has proven better than mid day in most cases.

Pacific Albacore are WAY off the coast still, making jaunts to chase these longer than most are capable of in a day. With any luck ocean currents will bring these beasts closer to shore here sooner then later.

Summer steelhead have been few and far between but the Lewis, Kalama and Cowlitz have definitely had some numbers around and the broken record here is…water is low and clear! Longer leaders and small flies aren’t a bad idea and if on water super early, super late or anytime for that matter, go for skating one up. Guarantee this will change your life should you raise one to your fly.

Cedar River closes here in less than two weeks so get out and hit it now before we say good bye till next year. Water is low so gain your access and then hike up or down stream to get away from people and find fish that have been pressured a bit less. Water is warm so be kind, keep fish in the water if caught and fish early as possible.

Enjoy everyone and remember, we are here to assist in that enjoyment any way we can so don’t be afraid to ask.

EWA Staff

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers, Reports Tagged With: 5050 on the water, Cedar River, Dave McCoy Photography, Emerald Water Anglers, Orvis, Puget Sound, Puget sound fly fishing, Seattle Fly Fishing, Seattle fly fishing guides, Seattle Fly Shop, spey casting, steelhead, women's fly fishing, Yakima River

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

Seattle Fly Fishing Report – June 22, 2020 – The Time is NOW!

June 22, 2020 by adminewa Leave a Comment

Welcome to summer! We have seen an incredible insurgence of new fly angling interest over the past few months and why not? If done in the way we enjoy doing it, it is the epitome of social distancing outdoors. Long expanse of beach to yourself, intimate mountain creeks or long classic steelhead runs to swing your new spey rod through.

Well, summer is here but water levels are still a bit high. Water is in good shape clarity wise on many rivers but the creeks are still big and cold. As of now, best bet is Yakima River from a boat though that is going to inflate a bit for the summer so we recommend Google Earth and WA Fishing Regs book. Find some small streams you haven’t heard mentioned in the airwaves, see what is close to you and go check it out. Some will likely be tough with over hanging flora but others may surprise you.

Skykomish, Skagit and Sauk are in good shape flow wise and not really on most peoples radar so these are great options to consider. As we move into the summer season with low water, we encourage transitioning from those winter Skagit heads into more elegant, fun to cast Rage or Scandi heads. These simply come off the rod tip with more ease, feel smooth and generate beautiful loop shapes. If you happen to have an older, longer spey rod gathering dust, maybe give one of the Bridge Long Belly spey lines a try and see what spey really is. Come in and ask away, we are pretty into this stuff!

If you have tried to fish the Sound recently, you have possibly noticed a significant increase in kelp, maybe even a frustrating level of increase. 2 suggestions to help mitigate this issue.

1. Intermediate line or shooting head/beach line such as the Airflo Beach. Helps get below some of that kelp for a better fly presentation.

2. A stripping basket. We have 4 great options at different price points in the store, come by and check out the differences and pick up the one that suits you.

Have fun out there everyone and remember, we are here to help you be successful in, on and around the water.

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers, Reports Tagged With: Emerald Water Anglers, mountain creeks, Puget Sound, Puget sound fly fishing, Seattle Fly Fishing, Seattle fly fishing guides, Seattle fly fishing reports, Seattle Fly Shop, Skagit River, Snoqualmie River, spey casting, steelhead, trout, washington fly fishing, Yakima River

Seattle Fly Fishing Report – June 12, 2020 – Woohoo, It’s All Open, Including Us!

June 12, 2020 by adminewa Leave a Comment

Westslope cutthroat from a mountain stream 45 minutes from Seattle.

Wish we could say this has been and easy time, obviously it hasn’t been at all but the world continues to rotate and we continue to evolve while spinning with it.  We understand how much being on the water means to everyone’s psyche and as we always say, we are quite simply here to help you learn, have fun, grow and find success out there.  We as always, greatly appreciate the support everyone provides us, we love being here for you. We would also like to applaud and thank all the demonstrators who showed up in the Junction yesterday, voicing the need for change and doing so meaningfully…in mass and peacefully.  We truly are stronger together. At this moment fishing around the greater Seattle area which we consider 3 hours driving time is pretty darn good, all things considered.  So here is the run down:

Yakima flows are about where they should be considering where we are in the season and with our snow pack.  Caddis are abound and our wonderfully fickle trout are paying more concerted attention them and should from here forward.  Still seeing some Yellow Sally stoneflies and a few March Brown mayflies around the upper river and streamer fishing will definitely get some fish to move.  Trout spey, use that long rod to skitter some caddis down river of yourself, even riffle hitch that little Elk Hair so it stays on top as it comes across.  Don’t know how to do that, drop by and we will show you.

Puget Sound is filled with lettuce so don’t worry about packing a lunch!  Intermediate lines can help with this by getting your fly below what is suspended on the surface and you will absolutely want/need a stripping basket for this time of year and we have 4 to choose from if you don’t have one.  Baitfish are growing in size so have larger profile flies on hand and trim if need be.  Hood Canal has been seeing an increase in resident Coho activity and more cutthroat showing themselves as well.  Try to fish an out going tide as often as possible.  As a tide comes in, it doesn’t necessarily bring the kelp to you but rather lifts is back up into the water column from its resting point on the beach.  So if you have to fish an incoming, scout the beach a bit and if there isn’t a ton of kelp on it, likely have less to contend with as the tide floods.

Mountain creeks are mostly going to remain pretty high for a bit longer but following cooler days and evenings, you may be able to find some slightly lower water.  We don’t typically do anything but dry fly in these watersheds so larger stimulators are one of our favorites.  If you want to drop a little Copper John or Hare’s Ear off the back, by all means do so but these trout have a short feeding season so they will be pretty opportunistic.  Caddis, attractor patterns and if you want, small streamers will do great, especially in another couple weeks.

Cedar River remains a bit high and BUSY but that is because it is a great little urban river to explore with quite a lot of public access.  We really like fishing streamers against the log jams.  Some evening dry fly activity for those able to stay out late, use some caddis and finally Chubby Chernobyl with a dropper through shallower riffle water will likely move a few fish as well.  In other words, enact your favorite tactic and get after it!

Lakes are fishing well for trout and bass.  Some high alpine ones will remain mostly frozen so stay lower for now and for the warmwater species, surface poppers, frogs and baby duck patterns are the ticket!  These are so under appreciated in our area, we are going to spend considerable time getting people up to speed on how to and where to fish here locally for them so stay tuned.

Steelhead rivers here in Puget Sound are open again and at the moment are at a fantastic flow for swinging some flies.  This can be a very good time to be on these rivers.  Water will still be sort of cold and have some color so don’t completely abandon your winter tactics but maybe go not as heavy on your tip, T7 or Intermediate would be great and go/stay smaller on your fly.  This is just our recommendation, as everyone knows this is maybe the most subjective space in fly fishing so take our 40 years of swinging flies with however many grains of salt you like. Have fun out there, stay healthy and respect one another on the water, its for all of us to enjoy.

Filed Under: Reports Tagged With: bass fishing, bass fly fishing, Cedar River, fishing reports, fly fishing photography, keepemwet, keepfishwet, Puget Sound, Seattle Fly Fishing, Seattle fly fishing guides, Seattle fly fishing reports, Snoqualmie River fly fishing, steelhead fly fishing, washington fly fishing, Washington Lakes, Yakima River

Upcoming Events – Nov. & Dec.

November 20, 2019 by adminewa Leave a Comment

Well, we apologize for not getting this up sooner, things have just been a bit crazy around these parts lately. Good news is, they are finally here, our fly fishing events for the next 6 weeks and beyond. Fly tying, customer appreciation, spey and single hand casting classes mixed with the Holidays…yep it is going to be a busy season so grab a beverage, sit down and peruse the schedule, it may take awhile!

Currently, we are booking Puget Sound trips (has been fishing very well lately) and steelhead in all forms for the remainder of the year and the winter/spring season. We will book solid this year so if you know you want to dance on the water with us, let’s get you scheduled soon!

Look for more fly fishing events to be added here soon, what is new with EWA as a company. Follow us here:

Instagram @ewaflyshop_seattle and @emeraldwateranglerswa
Facebook for Store and Travel
Facebook for Women’s Group News and Events

Fly Tying – Women’s Bug’s n Brew’s and our coed Tie One On. Click links with each event to register:

Bug’s n Brew’s – Women’s Only $25 per class per person
December 3rd: Marbou Popsicle (Intermediate)
December 17th: Skagit Mist (Advanced)
January 7th: Skwala Stones
January 21st: Blue Wing Olives

Tie One On – Coed $25 per class per person

November 29, 2019 – Black Friday
November 30, 2019 – Shop Small Saturday

We will be open normal hours those days and the store is currently STUFFED and ready for you to come pick up gifts early if that is your thing!

December 5, 2019 – Customer Appreciation Night 5pm – 9pm
Come hang out, enjoy live music from Ryan Barber, register for gifts you really want so friends and loved ones from near and far can get you exactly what you are looking for this year.

Patagonia will be in the house with the new Swiftcurrent waders to try on and size perfectly so you can take advantage of a pre order opportunity that evening to get just the right size. These are the first ever wader with a 100% recycled outer fabric so come check them out. Of course refreshments provide and this is dog and kid friendly!

December 10, 2019 – Wild Steelhead Coalition Reception – $TBD
Come join and meet the people working hard for our wild steelhead. More information coming very soon.

On River Spey School – $225 per person – Learn from our well versed professional staff of guides/instructors the fine craft of spey casting and swinging for steelhead! This is a full day, on the river school covering casting from both banks, head variations and coinciding tips, reading and cover water. 3 anglers max per school, call to reserve, equipment can be provided.
December 1, 2019 – 1 spot remaining
December 13, 2019 – 3 spots remaining
January 10, 2020 – 3 spots remaining

December 25 & 26, 2019 – Store Closed
We may have some staff available to guide on the 26th but please provide as much notice as possible and have a wonderful Holiday Season.

January 9, 2020 – Coastal Cutthroat Coalition Event –$35
Annual fundraiser for this organization doing good work for our local wild sea run cutthroat both in the salt and fresh water. Will be at Hula Hula again, please bring your liver.

January 29 – 30, 2020 — F3T West Seattle — Admiral Theater — $16
This is the season opener to get hyped about this sport and all it encompasses. Filmmakers travel to all corners of the globe to pursue exotic fish like GT’s, Arapaima, Payara, Taimen and even Rainbow Trout! Always a great time tickets available online or at the store. Tickets available soon!

January 25, 2020 — EWA Spey Day — Snoqualmie River under Fall City Bridge — 9am – 3pm — FREE
The premier spey event in western WA, come cast the latest and greatest in two handed rods and lines with our staff, sales reps and special guests. This is the perfect opportunity to hone your skills, get some one on one instruction or figure out the optimal match of line and rod for the winter season.

February 15 & 16, 2020 — The Fly Fishing Show — Lynnwood — $16
We will be attending the show again this year. Great opportunity to hear Dave McCoy talk on Puget Sound and fly fishing around Washington. See his all new photos and insights on how, when, where and with what on some of our most dynamic fisheries. We will not be attending this year…sorry!

May 9, 2020 — EWA Fly Fest — @ Location TBD – 9am – 3pm — FREE
Our annual kick off of summer event will be better than ever with more classes including spey casting, more guest speakers and more reps from the industry and of course the guide cook off.


Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers, Events Tagged With: casting classes, casting instruction, Emerald Water Anglers, ewareports, F3T, fly fishing film tour, fly fishing guide, fly fishing reports, Fly Fishing Show, fly tying classes, Patagonia Waders, Puget Sound, Sea Run Cutthroat, Seattle, Seattle Fly Fishing, spey casting, SRC, steelhead, washington fly fishing, women's fly fishing

Upcoming Events – June

June 5, 2019 by adminewa Leave a Comment


June 1, 2019 — EWA Fly Fest and Guide Cook-Off — Me-Kwa-Mooks Park– FREE
Our 5th year of this event and we are already excited for it.  So many cool new products, new staff and new techniques to show and share with all of you.  Event is from 9am – 3pm with the cook-off happening at 12:30.  Class schedule will be posted about a month in advance. 

June 1, 2019 — Summer Steelhead Fly Tying Demo w/Katy Watson — @ EWA Store @6pm — FREE
Come watch as British Columbia steelhead guide and Spey – O – Rama contestant Katy meets and greets, answers questions and shows how to tie some of her favorite low water patterns for BC steelhead.

Intro to Fly Casting — Lincoln Park, north parking lot next to baseball field — $25 — Equipment Provided

Wednesday, June 5, 6:30PM sign up here
Wednesday, June 12, 6:30PM sign up here
Saturday, June 15, 9AM sign up here
Saturday, June 22, 9AM sign up here
Wednesday, July 10, 6:30PM sign up here

June/July/August — Photographer Series — @ EWA Store @7pm — FREE
Come learn from some of our leading industry photographers on how to better compose images, tell stories and be better with your DSLR camera or smart phone. Here is who is on deck so far…

June 20 — – Matt DeLorme, Telling a Store in 10 Images @ 7pm at EWA Store – FREE
July 20 — – Dave McCoy, Underwater Imagery @ 7pm at EWA Store – FREE
July 25 — – Colton Jacobs, iPhone Composition @ 7pm at EWA Store FREE
August 1 – Earl Harper, Portraits in the Field @ 7pm at EWA Store – FREE

July TBD — Get to Know Your NGO — @ EWA Store @7pm — FREE
A full room of our favorite non profits from around this region doing great work for our land, water and fish. Date coming soon..

May 30, 2020 — EWA Fly Fest — @ Location TBD – 9am – 3pm — FREE
Our annual kick off of summer event will be better than ever with more classes including spey casting, more guest speakers and more reps from the industry and of course the guide cook off.

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers, Events Tagged With: Emerald Water Anglers, fly casting classes, fly fishing events, fly fishing reports, fly fishing schools, June, Photographer Series, Puget Sound, Rainbow Trout, Sea Run Cutthroat, Seattle, Seattle Fly Fishing, Seattle Fly Shop, summer fly fishing, summer steelhead, Yakima River

*VIDEO* Patagonia and Danner – River Salt and Foot Tractor Wading Boots

March 9, 2019 by Caldwell Rohrbach Leave a Comment

If you fish and wade around slick boulders, basalt ledges, heavy pocket water or just need the most stability a wading boot can offer, you owe it to yourself to try these boots!

Footage: Caldwell Rohrbach
Edit: Caldwell Rohrbach
Copy: Greg Fitz

Talent: Tom Mahan & Andrew Burr

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers, Events Tagged With: Boots, Danner, Emerald Water Anglers, EWA, fishing, fly, Patagonia, Puget Sound, river, salt, steelhead, Wading

June 2nd – EWA Fly Fest Schedule

May 18, 2018 by adminewa Leave a Comment

Last years podium from the EWA Guide Staff Cook Off with Jason Rolfe taking top honors for the second year.

Hello everyone, it is almost time for our 4th Annual EWA Fly Fest at Me Kwa Mooks Park here in West Seattle where we invite everyone to come on out and join us kicking off the summer season.  We will have the sales reps from Thomas and Thomas, Winston, Gloomis, Echo, Scott, Hardy and Sage with every rod under the sun to test cast. 

We will also have a few free clinics to work on casting, approaching Puget Sound and the creeks and the introduction of our SWING ON program which is all two handed all the time! 

Here is the schedule for clinics and so on at the fly fest this year and we may still be adding a few things so check back and worst case scenario, show up:

8am – Women’s Casting with Karlie and Devon
9am – Festivities Begin
9am – Saltwater Tactics – Dave, on beach across the street
11am – Planetary Fly Fishing – Travel – Dave, under tent
10am – Small Streams, Where, When and How – Ben, under tent
11am – Women’s Meet and Greet – Karlie/Devon under tent
1pm – Staff Cook Off – Everyone
2pm – “SWING ON” All Things Spey Discussion – Rohr
3pm – Double Haulin’ – Dave
4pm – Last Minute Q&A, Pack Up and Call it a Day!

We look forward to seeing everyone out there soon.

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers, Events Tagged With: cook off, creeks, demo day, Emerald Water Anglers, fly casting instruction, fly fishing events, fly fishing guides, June 2nd, Puget Sound, Seattle, women fly fishing, Writer's on the Fly

G.Loomis IMX PRO Short-Spey Rod Review

January 3, 2018 by Caldwell Rohrbach 1 Comment

From the moment you pick up the IMX Pro 7 11’11” you know this rod is different. It redefines lightweight while also maintaining a strong enough rod to turn big fish in heavy water. Where I used to think a 13′ 7wt and a 9′ 8wt with a single hand skagit line were the perfect quiver on a number of Washington rivers, I now think the compact modern “Short Spey” will take the place of both.

This is the first short spey of it’s kind and I do differentiate this from other switch rods. THIS IS NOT A SWITCH ROD! This is the next generation of Spey rods that marry’s the feel of a 13′ rod with the fast action necessary of modern short skagit heads.

The first time I cast this rod was with a 480 grain Skagit Scout line (18.5′) and 44lb Impact mono running line and there wasn’t a situation this rod struggled with. We fished the Deschutes for two day’s in high water and cast a number of tips effortlessly including: 10′ Flo Tips in the t-10 and t-14 ranges as well as straight sections up to 12’ in t-10 and t-14. We battled high winds as well as cold temperatures and were able to feel a few nice tugs on the end of our line. (Since that trip, I have enjoyed fishing the 480 grain Skagit Switch line, just a foot longer than the Scout at 19.5’.

When you cast this rod, you seem to forget how compact it is until you find yourself tucked under overhanging trees and wading deep, tight against the bank.

The other thing you can’t seem to believe is the price of this rod. Compared to other rods in excess of $1000, this rod excels. For $575, this rod is a home run and one that I can’t wait to get out and fish. A component I typically overlook on other spey rods is the reel seat. However, on this one you are drawn in by its modern looks, sleek design, and smoothness.

For those gearing up for our winter run fish, the 7wt is the perfect addition to your existing lineup or a single rod quiver for the new spey angler.

As for trout spey, I think you can stop searching once you land on the IMX Pro 4wt 11’11”. This rod has all the power you could want but still has some major play when fighting a fish. For those searching for the lightest rod, that can still throw big streamers and heavy sink tips, the 3wt can be another great option. Karlie Roland prefers the 3wt.

As for the con’s associated with this rod, it is hard to come by. We literally cant keep these on the shelf. If there was one thing that I had to change, it would be the bottom grip, I prefer a slightly larger knob but that is one that you quickly forget once fishing! GLoomis knocked this one out of the park.

Other lines we enjoy on the IMX Pro 7 11’11”: Skagit Switch G2 510, Rage Compact 450, Scandi Compact 450

Karlie: 3wt 270 Scout, 225 OPST Commando

Give us a call with any more questions or feel free to stop by the shop to see for yourself 206.708.7250.

Photo’s and text: Caldwell Rohrbach

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers Tagged With: Emerald Water Anglers, fly shop, Gloomis, IMX Pro, Olympic Peninsula, PNW, Puget Sound, rod review, Sauk River, Seattle, Short Spey, Skagit River, steelhead, swinging flies, Washington, wild fish

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