Sunday, August 3, 2014

The Waxing Gibbous Moon



Your Olympic Peninsula fly fishing Guide,
Catch & release, Fly fishing only!

The Waxing Gibbous Moon


Beach Dory

  We are smack-dab in the middle of another beautiful, sunny summer beach season.  And the conditions here have been perfect for our sea-run Cutthroat trout fishing. The days have been sunny, with a refreshing ocean breeze, and the nights have been cooling us off. There have been some significant numbers of moths showing up lately too. And aside form the cornucopia of bait and other critters that the trout feed on, they will take moths, termites, winged ants, bees and beetles etc., anytime that they can. Yes, even in saltwater. And there has been a huge moth "hatch" going on here too. So now you can use big fluffy dry flies like Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulators, Steelhead Caddis, Muddlers etc. There's a lot of bugs on the water. 



Gypsy Moth (photo ecy.wa.gov)

    I especially like dry fly and surface fishing on the saltwater beaches. Sometimes when there are cutthroat around, and they are obviously feeding, but they are not taking our streamers and bait fish patterns, I will switch over to something that will imitate the bug life. Ants, winged ants, and termites can be very effective sometimes. Even hoppers will work now. 



My Steelhead Caddis


"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds . . ." Emerson.

So I am offering you this observation: Sea run Coastal Cutthroat trout will eat all of the same bugs in saltwater that they do in freshwater. And it does not have to be perfectly matched to the time of a hatch to work. But sometimes that will help. And we are in a time of year now when it could make your day. So don't be afraid to try this.

Plying the moon tides . . .
Most dry fly trout fishermen will have developed a drag free drift on the fly before they come here. And they are always a little surprised when I encourage them to splat the fly down onto the water hard, and let it drag on the swing, drowning it at times, and shaking and twitching it on the retrieve, rudely disturbing the water all of the way. These fish want to eat something that looks alive!

Andy fools another one!
   But once again you have to remember that some trout can be kind of picky sometimes. So when they are actively feeding, and you have switched to dry flies, and you are skating them around out there in front of their noses for all that you are worth, and they are not falling for it- then you just might have to remember how to get a drag free drift again. I have caught a lot of sea runs this way, on a #12 Royal Wulff. I know, it isn't very "salty", but it often works. Bronze wire dry fly and trout hooks stand up to saltwater just fine. Just rinse them well after use and let them dry before putting them back into your fly box. You should do that with all of your saltwater flies and tackle anyway.

Dry fly sea run Cutthroat!
    
   It's salmon season around here again!

My neighbor Frank's hatchery coho for dinner!

  And here on Admiralty Inlet it has been a slow start. I don't know why people are surprised at this. We are in an El Nino cycle again, with huge amounts of bait congregating in the warm currents that are now very close to the coast, and we are in one of the warmest summers on record, and the rivers are very low too. Why would a salmon come back to a river here right now? Well, okay, a few kings and coho have slipped by here already. But ordinarily we wouldn't expect to see the coho run in earnest right here until mid August anyway. So with this new full moon coming on August 10th, another "Super Moon" at that, we will be having some very strong and deep tides. And I am willing to bet that we will see some good salmon fishing as this moon waxes in, and even as it wanes, over the next two weeks. Sometimes a full moon like that can make all of the difference.There has been a lot of bait around here lately, sea run Cutthroat, birds, seals, porpoises and otters all getting in on the feast. And yes, a few salmon chasing away at them too. It is time to hit the beaches. Now.

To learn more about Puget Sound and Olympic Peninsula fly fishing call or write for more details. I would be happy to help you plan your Olympic Peninsula adventure.

Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide and Instructor

  I am guiding fly fishers on the Olympic Peninsula beaches, rivers and streams. We walk and wade, fly fishing for sea-run Coastal Cutthroat trout in freshwater and saltwater, and in the rivers for trout and summer steelhead. And we catch and release salmon on the beaches. This is strictly catch and release, traditional fly fishing only. Lunch, snacks, soft beverages, and use of some equipment is included. Personalized and private fly fishing and fly casting instruction, and guided trips are available, for beginners through expert anglers. Public presentations, Naturalist guide for rowboat picnics, and tide pool and river trail day trips. Please call, write or email for booking details.
  

Bob Triggs
Little Stone Flyfisher
P.O. Box 261
Port Townsend, WA
98368

Licensed Washington State Guide 
Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Trout Unlimited Aquatic Educator Award
U.S.C.G First Aid/CPR/BLS/AED/BBP/HIV Certified

Phone: 360-385-9618



















2 comments:

Unknown said...

Nice post as always, educational and inspirational. As always, I want to go fishing with you. Or just fishing.

Bob Triggs said...

Jon Tobey, Thank you for your kind words. Of course you are always welcome here.