Emerald Water Anglers

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4502 42nd Ave. SW Seattle, WA 98116
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206-708-7250
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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

Lose a Dam on One River, Get a New One on Another…

January 29, 2012 by adminewa

From a long time friend from Colorado, I got an email today where he has expressed is deep concern over the proposal to put a new hydro power dam in on Uncompaghre River in Colorado. It seems as though lessons learned from what has been done in the past just don’t resonate across more than a couple hundred miles as the Bureau of Reclamation is coming very close to preliminary approval of this project with very little or no scientific research on the affects to the habitat surrounding this project. Here is the proposal:

http://www.usbr.gov/uc/envdocs/ea/SoCanal/draftEA.pdf

Below is the response from our friend:

Mr. Steve McCall,

After my original e-mail to you from this a.m. voicing my opposition to the Delta Montrose Electrical Association (DMEA) proposed hydroelectric project to be constructed on the South Canal just east of Montrose, I’ve had a chance to review the draft environmental assessment on line at the above address. I wanted to be sure this e-mail reaches you before the Monday deadline for comment and also be sure my CC’ed are aware of this.

Section SCOPING outlines the open process to determine issues and alternatives to be addressed in the EA. The EA highlights a meeting held on March 9, 2011 in Montrose. In the summary listing of issues brought up during the scoping by individuals, organizations and agencies, the third item noted in summary questions the impact on the South Canal and the Uncompahgre River with regards to diverted fish out of the Gunnison River, people who fish these waters, fish entering the Uncompahgre River, etc. “How will all this be affected?”

The fourth comment states “Consider screening fish from entering Gunnison Tunnel; provide stocking of Uncompahgre River to offset losses from South Canal activities”

Moving forward to the FISHERIES chapter, there is a lot of discussion regarding loss of fish from the Gunnison River fishery to the South Canal and Uncompahgre River throughout the chapter. In the second paragraph there is documentation of fish sampling. The second to the last and last sentence in the paragraph reads “Numerous young of the year rainbow fry were sampled but not included in the population estimate. It is not known if the fry result from spawning in the canal or in the Gunnison River (Kowalski 2011).” The discussion that it is not known if the fish spawn in the South Canal is critical. I would think that this is an important biological fact to understand much more in that if we are going to allow the construction of the hydroelectric plant(s) / structure(s) and install electronic fish screening equipment to detour fish from entering the South Canal / Uncompahgre River and eliminate the presence of these fry from the Uncompahgre River system, we need specific science to understand the impact to the existing Uncompahgre fishery and a specific plan on how that impact will be mitigated. Not just an “economic assessment based on dollars and cents” as presented in the chapter.

The City of Montrose alone has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in Uncompahgre River anchored parks in which quality fishing is a large part of the recreational activities available at these parks. Not to mention upstream and downstream users and property owners that would be negatively affected by this project moving forward as proposed. Not just due to reduced fishing quality but also lost property values. Injury to the existing fishery’s at all locations in and downstream of the South Canal without good science and a solid mitigation plan is quite simply irresponsible on the part of any participant in this project.

Further, I challenge the wording in the chapter of fish from the Gunnison River being “lost” to the South Canal and the Uncompahgre River. If one knows the local rive systems one knows the Uncompahgre River joins the lower Gunnison River at Confluence Park in Delta, thereby the opportunity for the fish to be re-introduced into the Gunnison River is real and most probably happens often. This is truly critical if the fry are re-introduced quite possibly immune to whirling disease which in the last 15-20 years has devastated the Gunnison River fishery. But unless I’ve missed something I do not believe we have answers to those types of questions.

Last, the south canal was constructed in the early 1900’s. I would have to believe there is some legal precedent which would be injured irreparably if this project moves forward without further consideration and a mitigation plan of the affected fishery.

I do not feel that the fishery issues have even begun to be addressed in the draft Environmental Assessment. I see no discussion of any vehicle to be considered that would allow fish from the Gunnison River to continue to enter the South Canal. All I read is how the Gunnison River fishery will be positively improved and a small discussion of how the Uncompahgre River system will negatively affected.

I do want to state I am in no way opposed to renewable energy source projects. I am however, opposed for them to be allowed to move forward irresponsibly. Quite frankly, this Environmental Assessment is no where near ready for the Bureau of Reclamation to issue a “Finding of No Significant Impact”.

There must be some sort of balance in the hydro power world where if we take a dam out somewhere, we must put another in some place else…this sucks!

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers Tagged With: Colorado, dams, Emerald Water Anglers, habitat, Montrose, Rainbow Trout, spawning, Uncompaghre River

Quick Creek Update

July 20, 2011 by adminewa

Went to check out some of my favorite creeks up North yesterday. Although the water is still high and very cold for this time of year the first drift through a promising lie produced a fat 14″ rainbow on a #10 stimi!

For the most part these creeks are still too high making access unrealistic, but it is nice to see some good fish eating. I would give it a couple more weeks, epic dry fly fishing in complete solitude is just around the corner!!!

Some of our favorite creeks are already fishing well, with hungry cutts and bows eagerly taking our caddis, stonefly, mayfly and attractor dries! This folks is are favorite time of year here at EWA where we can break out the lightest rods we own, get up into the back country and let the stress and monotony of the day to day grind filter away with the clear, cold water in a freestone stream.

C

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers Tagged With: creek fishing, dry flies, Emerald Water Anglers, Rainbow Trout

EWA Featured Photographer — Blake McHenry

April 12, 2011 by adminewa

I met Blake years ago when he mailed me an application and resume to work for us. I was immediately drawn to a number of things about this kid, at the time a kid and still one to me in a fatherly sense only. He was young but had taken considerable effort in having a professional resume that was littered with legit experience, no fluff or made up/name dropping experience. What really made me pay attention however was the fact that he had understood at such a young age that including some of his better and favorite images of his time in the sport would enhance his qualifications — it did!

It is just my opinion but when you have all the tools of a great guide and I mean all of them — chameleon like personality, boat handling skills, articulate, well traveled, amazing casting and instructing skills, patience, infectious demeanor and you parade around with zero attitude but still bearing the patch of passion on your shirt sleeve or tattooed on your forehead and forget to include photography, you have missed the boat. These two entities, fly fishing and photography should really be considered Siamese twins, joined at the hip as one captures the essence of why we do the other and that doesn’t always mean the fish.

Blake has guided in Alaska, eastern US, Montana, India and traveled the world, you can can see MORE of his work in the following photo journals here: South Pacific, Alaska, Montana

Beautiful shots Blake, see you soon buddy! Get to know Blake more here: Blake McHenry


Fishing the sunset in Montana.


Great method for knowing what is hatching.


Caddis sits just long enough…


Maybe one of the greatest bear shots I have ever seen not taken by someone parked and waiting for the moment.


Alaskan angler holds a prized bow for silhouette shot.


The beautiful colors of nature.


Ascension Bay in Mexico, sleuthing out a permit.


Heaven on earth.


Permit achieved and sometimes only the simplicity and contrast of B&W can really tell the story.


Late in the day in Nicaragua, tarpon waters.


Gotcha!


New Caledonia, new species!


Volcano erupting in the South Pacific.


No trick photography here, just a GIANT bone from the South Pacific…


We will end with three of my best friends, Coach Duff holding Blake’s giant bonefish in Hawaii, that being my third friend here, South Pacific bones, they are HUGE!!

Happy spring everyone, look for Blake and I to be putting together a co-hosted trip to Africa and the South Pacific in 2012 or 2013 at the latest.

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers Tagged With: Alaska, Blake McHenry, char, Emerald Water Anglers, guiding, Hawaii, Montana, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, photography, Rainbow Trout, saltwater, South Pacific

Way early but not complaining…

March 24, 2010 by Dave McCoy

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It is a bit early in the year to be focusing on the forks of the Snoqualmie but, when the flows are around 500 on the middle and the weather has been borderline t-shirt appropriate, well, have to hit it.

Skwala’s are everywhere and while fish are not necessarily airing it out like Jordan after them, they are most certainly eating. Low snow pack year however is worrisome as this means the August time frame could be really tough on the fish.

South fork looks amazing right now and these fish have a slightly different temperament to them than the middle fork fish, at least down low. Super clear water and not quite as much food under the stones, they have been quite selective. None-the-less, no one is fishing here right now and it is light until after 7pm. Why not?!!

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers Tagged With: coastal cutthroat, Emerald Water Anglers, Rainbow Trout, Seattle, skwala stonefly, Snoqualmie River, trout, Washington

I Like Big Bugs

March 17, 2010 by Charlie Robinton

There is something about skwala stoneflies that just plain gets me excited! Maybe its because in a few select Western streams they signify the first great dry fly fishing of the season.  Or maybe its because they are big, wiggly, fun to tie and a blast to fish.  Either way they are one of my favorite aquatic insects to imitate with a fly.  Did I mention they drive fish bonkers?  Chubby Skwala

I am always on the lookout for new tying materials and fly patterns to imitate the little buggers.  Sure an olive stimulator or pat’s rubber legs will catch fish but where is the art in that?  Incidentally I was pleasantly surprised when a copy of the 2010 Hareline catalog arrived at work along with a sweet goody bag full of product samples.

Skwala Crawler

I dove into the bag and pulled out a handful of skwala madness.  It was like they read my mind and created a palette of buggy tying materials just for me to play with…

After wrapping up a couple morsels I headed over to the Yakima to get an expert opinion…

The experts approved…

Yakima Rainbow

If you love skwalas as much as I do the Yakima is the best show in town, and its on right now… Its time for some serious skwala fishing!!

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers Tagged With: dry fly fishing, Emerald Water Anglers, fly tying, Rainbow Trout, skwala, skwala stonefly, stoneflies, stonefly, trout, Washington, Yakima

Upper Yakima…

March 1, 2010 by Alex Collier

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If you’re looking for some fish to take your mind off of the pitiful state of the Puget Sound Steelhead for an afternoon, might we suggest the Upper Yakima?  In a 6 cast stretch on one hole Ted landed a 14+ inch native cuttie, 2 other fish of the same size cruised by, and I landed this 24+ rainbow.  There’s plenty of bugs coming off, and when the water ticks up a few degrees it’s going to be game on.  And while these fish definitely won’t make you forget about the early closing of the Puget Sound Steelhead rivers again, this one proved that a rod bending and reel peeling fight doesn’t have to wait till fall.

Filed Under: Emerald Water Anglers Tagged With: Emerald Water Anglers, hatches, Rainbow Trout, Spring, trout, Washington, Yakima River

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206-708-7250

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