Tuesday, October 25, 2016

The Day You Want


Your Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide.
Catch & Release, Fly Fishing Only!



Madrona Berries

     This time of year it can be hard to get a clear forecast for our fishing days. More than a few days ahead of time and you'll probably be off by a country mile. I have had some days planned, months in advance, and gotten lucky at the last minute with a decent day of fall fishing. But most of the time in the fall here, we are watching the screens daily, sometimes hourly. It has been like that for the last few weeks here, as one huge cold front after another moved up our coast. So it's not unusual for me to be checking the forecast every day, repeatedly, and in the days ahead, late in the night before a trip, and even before dawn on the day of the trip. I was doing that last Saturday, at 2 in the morning. The wind forecasts had been all over the charts for the days leading up to our fishing day. And we had been getting very strong winds and heavy rains on and off. But there were some breaks in the lows and highs, as they passed through. And we were lucky enough to to get a nearly perfect day in every way: Very light winds, no rain, clearing all day, and almost no waves. And it had been quiet all night. The the beaches were in perfect shape. 


Heading South.
    So we headed out in the dory to fish for sea-run cutthroat trout. When we launched the boat the bay was quiet, flat and slick. The tide was coming in all morning, the air was balmy. I had a sense of apprehension, as if it was too good to be true. I have been ducking from storms, wind and rain for weeks. But these really are the conditions I pray for.  It wasn't long before we ran into some trout. And it's always great to catch that first trout of the day, first thing in the morning. And then it happened again, within a few minutes. And we then proceeded to catch one bright, willing wild cutthroat trout after another, for most of the day. We had lunch in the sun, while a seal watched us from a  few yards away. An eagle was working over the bay, sea birds feeding. There was bait everywhere. And the trout knew it.  


One after another they took our flies . . .

Full of color and fire . . .

One bright, robust sea-run cutthroat trout after another . . .

   They say that you should be careful about what you ask for.  I have always asked for the best day that we could have, no matter what happened along the way. It's pretty hard to fail when you leave yourself wide open to the experience. And I will admit that often my underlying motive is to have a truly great day, full of fish and sunshine. But it is rare that it happens that way. Saturday was our lucky day. That's how it is in the fall. You pick your days, between the raindrops and winds and waves, and you hope for the best. Honestly, it never has to get any better than this.  



The most relaxing way to fish for sea-run cutthroat.
One angler, maybe two,  Call or write for details.

Your Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide and Instructor
Catch & Release, Fly Fishing Only!

    I am guiding fly fishers on the Olympic Peninsula beaches, rivers and streams. We walk and wade, or row along the shorelines in the dory, fly fishing for sea-run Coastal Cutthroat trout in freshwater and saltwater, and in the rivers for Cutthroat trout and summer and fall steelhead. This is all strictly catch and release, traditional, barbless single hook, fly fishing only. Lunch, snacks, soft beverages, and use of some equipment is included. I also offer personalized and private fly fishing and fly casting instruction for beginners through advanced casters. I would be happy to help you plan your Olympic Peninsula fly fishing adventure, for all levels of ability, beginner to expert. Public presentations, Naturalist Guide, rowboat picnics, tide pool and  river trail day trips. Please call, write or email for booking details. Now booking through October, and beyond. Booking on short notice in the fall and winter is welcome.

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
2006 W.S.U.Beach Watcher / Water Watcher graduate
U.S.C.G First Aid/CPR/BLS/AED/BBP/HIV Certified

Phone: 360-385-9618



   

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

After The Storms.



Your Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide.
Catch & Release, Fly Fishing Only!


After the storm.

    We had a wild few days of wind and rain out here last weekend on Admiralty Inlet and the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Thankfully the storm did not pass directly over us, as was feared. It veered out to sea, miles off of the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There were some serious gusts of wind though, and some damages. There were only a few power outages scattered around. It could have been much worse. The beaches here get torn up pretty good during these southerly wind storms. You wouldn't want to be standing there when it's blowing 40 knots, wind waves to six feet, and logs, stumps, rocks, clams etc, flying through the air. So enters the first real, serious weather changes of autumn, heading into winter.


#6 October Caddis. A great autumn fly for sea-run cutthroat,
in freshwater or saltwater, and for summer steelhead in the rivers.

    The rivers out here are getting some much needed rains, and the Olympic Mountains have only begun to get some snow in the higher elevations. After last weekend we are seeing the first new light dustings of snow, up around 6000 to 8000 feet and above. By the end of the month the freezing levels are supposed to fall again, to down around 4000 feet in altitude. So even though we have been getting some pretty good rains on and off over the last few weeks, with some big spikes in flows too, the mountains are getting colder, and the river flows are moderating. And this should be perfect for fishing. The only problem with that is that there is almost no river fishing available out here until mid November, when the rivers reopen. If you study your wdfw annual sportsfishing regulations, you will find a few smaller waters are still open to trout fishing. And there have been some re openings of some rivers around the Puget Sound region too. The October Caddis is going to be your go-to fly for cutthroat trout and summer steelhead now. And I like those soft hackles this time of year too; The Partridge & Orange is my favorite. I use that one in the saltwater too. With all of the wind and rain we are getting, and with the leaves still on most of the trees, there's a lot of leaves and debris in the rivers and lakes now. But that will clear up fairly quickly as it gets colder.  


"Moon Shot"

    It is remarkable how quickly and well the beaches here have cleaned up, even with some wind and rain continuing on and off here, and in the forecast for all week ahead. This is a wet October so far. Last Saturday night was the Full Hunter Moon, which was an especially powerful influence on tides, and considering the storms too, it put  a lot of weeds and other debris in the water. It was another "Super Moon," too, but it was hard to see through the overcast night sky. This really brought the high tides way up around here. But the last few mornings have been eminently fishable from our beaches. The water cleans up quickly here once the wind and waves settle down.We'll be playing Cat-And-Mouse with the weather for the months ahead, as we get these nice breaks to fish here between storms. With some heavy flows in the streams right now, that will bring turbidity. Trout like clean water. Expect to find them near the beaches, where you would find them in September, still feeding, in the saltchuck. There tons of bait around here too. Last week I was out on the bay in the dory with a fisherman, and we drifted over a school of thousands of herring. The saltwater temperatures here are around 50 degrees right now. That's pretty much perfect for trout fishing anywhere. And trout love herring.


Some Clouser Minnows.
Left to right: Anchovy, Herring, and "attractor pink"
.


   I like fishing with some bigger streamers this time of year, some weighted flies too. And I will use sink tip lines, and sinking poly-leaders, etc., too. I do like Clouser Minnows, especially as an herring imitation. But I know two guys who like to fish all winter for sea-runs, with nothing but Woolly Boogers. And they catch a LOT of cutthroat! Try weighted and unweighted flies, like the Matuka, the Zonker, Sculpin, etc. One of the biggest sea-run cutthroat trout that I ever caught- at 23-1/2 inches- was caught on a black #6 Mike Lawson's Wool Head Muddler. One note on streamer flies in general, for sea-runs: I try to limit my fly hooks to size #6, and I avoid extra long hooks- It's too easy to hook these trout deeply, in the tongue or the heart.

   I'm loving the colder mornings and hint of frost. The big, rude power boats have all but been put away for the winter, and the waters are much quieter now. Our rowing trips are much more peaceful. And the beaches are almost abandoned. October and November is the time for big fat trout, hard hitting fighters, hot coffee in the thermos. Maybe you'll start wearing your gloves again too. Give me a call and we'll go fishing.   


The most relaxing way to fish for sea-run cutthroat.
One angler, maybe two,  Call or write for details.

Your Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide and Instructor
Catch & Release, Fly Fishing Only!

    I am guiding fly fishers on the Olympic Peninsula beaches, rivers and streams. We walk and wade, or row along the shorelines in the dory, fly fishing for sea-run Coastal Cutthroat trout in freshwater and saltwater, and in the rivers for Cutthroat trout and summer and fall steelhead. This is all strictly catch and release, traditional, barbless single hook, fly fishing only. Lunch, snacks, soft beverages, and use of some equipment is included. I also offer personalized and private fly fishing and fly casting instruction for beginners through advanced casters. I would be happy to help you plan your Olympic Peninsula fly fishing adventure, for all levels of ability, beginner to expert. Public presentations, Naturalist Guide, rowboat picnics, tide pool and  river trail day trips. Please call, write or email for booking details. Now booking through October, and beyond. 

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
2006 W.S.U.Beach Watcher / Water Watcher graduate
U.S.C.G First Aid/CPR/BLS/AED/BBP/HIV Certified

Phone: 360-385-9618


Thursday, October 13, 2016

"A Big October Slap" II

Your Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide.
Catch & Release, Fly Fishing Only!


   
   This is an update to my October 8th blog, with links for the current multi-stage storm that is moving in to our coast today. Check Dr Cliff Mass blog page, (linked below), frequently for updates, as he is actively tracking the storm. If you had plans to fish out here this weekend, you might want to reconsider. There are potentially dangerous winds expected, out on the coast and in the Puget Sound region as well. And with the rivers blowing out too, this is a bad time to be in the Olympic Peninsula rainforest, much less driving around out here with trees and branches falling, power lines coming down, etc. We have already had some power outages. More expected. Stay home and tie flies.
http://cliffmass.blogspot.com



A series of potentially dangerous storms are hitting the Pacific Northwest.
Updates here: http://cliffmass.blogspot.com 


The most relaxing way to fish for sea-run cutthroat.
One angler, maybe two,  Call or write for details.

Your Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide and Instructor

    I am guiding fly fishers on the Olympic Peninsula beaches, rivers and streams. We walk and wade, or row along the shorelines in the dory, fly fishing for sea-run Coastal Cutthroat trout in freshwater and saltwater, and in the rivers for Cutthroat trout and summer and fall steelhead. This is all strictly catch and release, traditional, barbless single hook, fly fishing only. Lunch, snacks, soft beverages, and use of some equipment is included. I also offer personalized and private fly fishing and fly casting instruction for beginners through advanced casters. I would be happy to help you plan your Olympic Peninsula fly fishing adventure, for all levels of ability, beginner to expert. Public presentations, Naturalist Guide, rowboat picnics, tide pool and  river trail day trips. Please call, write or email for booking details. Now booking through October, and beyond. 

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
2006 W.S.U.Beach Watcher / Water Watcher graduate
U.S.C.G First Aid/CPR/BLS/AED/BBP/HIV Certified

Phone: 360-385-9618









Saturday, October 8, 2016

A Big October Slap!


Your Olympic Peninsula Fly fishing Guide.
Catch & Release, Fly Fishing Only!

October on the beaches.

    Since the Autumnal Equinox a few weeks ago, we have been seeing a few cycles of cooler, wetter weather come and go. It had been fairly normal, up until now.  And in between the rains, we have gotten out on the water for some fine sea-run cutthroat trout fishing from the beaches, and while rowing, casting and trolling from the dory. We have opted to continue fishing the beaches for sea-runs through this fall. The fishing has been that good on the saltchuck again, and the rivers are closed for game fish until mid- November anyway. 


Dory fishing has been great!

    According to Pacific Northwest weather guru, Dr Cliff Mass, We are going to get a lot of rain over the next week or so. ( Something like 15 inches predicted! ) See his ominous forecast here: Build An Ark!  The Olympic Peninsula rivers are already running way up in flows today, after several smaller spikes in flows over the last weeks. It's time. But it sure is a lot of water coming. Once it blows over, and after the rivers drop back down to manageable flows, I am betting it will take a week or two. And depending upon how cold it gets, there should be some good river fishing for summer / fall steelhead, and cutthroat, before the hatchery winter runs begin later in November. 

    And so begins the winter rain cycle in the rainforest. Kicked off with a Pineapple Express that will deliver more water than anyone wants all at once. There's going to be some strong winds too. The last two nights out here have been flat howling. Anytime someone tells me that we are getting an "atmospheric river" of rain heading our way, I take notice. 


Going Up!


   Between these spates, the saltchuck over here on the eastern shores of the Olympic Peninsula, and down Hood Canal, can be remarkably fishable well into winter. So no matter what the forecast is calling for in Seattle, or out there on the coastal rivers, we are in the "Olympic Peninsula Rain Shadow" here, and often it will be as calm as a Hindu cow here while everywhere else- all hell is breaking loose. Check out this link for a cool overview on this phenomenon:  Olympic Peninsula Rainshadow


Morning break. "Calm as a Hindu cow."
Meanwhile, the west-end rivers are rising fast.

    We have plenty of good fishing ahead this fall and winter!  So don't let the television weather man, or the high river flows, slow you down.


The most relaxing way to fish for sea-run cutthroat.
One angler, maybe two,  Call or write for details.

Your Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide and Instructor

    I am guiding fly fishers on the Olympic Peninsula beaches, rivers and streams. We walk and wade, or row along the shorelines in the dory, fly fishing for sea-run Coastal Cutthroat trout in freshwater and saltwater, and in the rivers for Cutthroat trout and summer and fall steelhead. This is all strictly catch and release, traditional, barbless single hook, fly fishing only. Lunch, snacks, soft beverages, and use of some equipment is included. I also offer personalized and private fly fishing and fly casting instruction for beginners through advanced casters. I would be happy to help you plan your Olympic Peninsula fly fishing adventure, for all levels of ability, beginner to expert. Public presentations, Naturalist Guide, rowboat picnics, tide pool and  river trail day trips. Please call, write or email for booking details. Now booking through October, and beyond. 

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
2006 W.S.U.Beach Watcher / Water Watcher graduate
U.S.C.G First Aid/CPR/BLS/AED/BBP/HIV Certified

Phone: 360-385-9618