Sunday, August 26, 2018

Ahhhh . . . September!


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

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A late summer sea-run coastal cutthroat trout. Just under 20 inches.
Angler / Photo credit: Mauro Regio

    As I write this, in the last week of August, we are enjoying a  respite from the heat and smoke filled air that has plagued so many weeks of our summer. There are forest fires burning in every corner of the Pacific Northwest right now. Luckily, there are none burning nearby us. But we do get quite a bit of smoke at times. With the end of summer approaching, we begin to get some cooler days and, shifting breezes bring cooler onshore flow. And we have longer nights. The  air and water is cooling. The coho and chum salmon are running. And the trout are on the feed. I am focusing on fishing the saltchuck for now. We see some of the biggest sea-runs of the year, From right about now, and through October, I expect a few big bruisers on any day of fishing  Last Friday was no exception to this pattern, as we fished our way along the shoreline, rowing the dory, casting to the shallows, hitting some nice trout everywhere we went. And we caught a few really nice ones too. And it was sunny blue skies and cool breezes all day. That's an harbinger of autumn to hang onto. 


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A mother seal with her newborn pup.
Photo credit: Mauro Regio


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Another view of the same sea-run cutthroat trout.Photo credit: Mauro Regio

   
   Through the month of September
our Marine Area 9 coho salmon fishery is scheduled to remain open. So far there are a few fish being caught every day on our area beaches. The coho are not seemingly plentiful this season, but they are robust. It's been a few years since we have seen them this fat and healthy. Ocean conditions are improving.

    September and October may well be my favorite time of year here on the Olympic Peninsula waters. As the waters cool, and the rains return, and the fish begin feeding more, and the big October Caddis hatches begin around the autumn Solstice, so many more options for our fishing return. It will be time to return to the rivers. Summer run steelhead and sea-run cutthroat will be active in the rivers. Autumn dry line fishing at its best. And there's still sea-runs in the saltchuck . . .


Fly fishing for sea-run Cutthroat from a classic Swampscott Dory.
For one angler. By appointment only.


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, fly fishing for sea-run Coastal Cutthroat trout in freshwater and saltwater, and in the rivers for Cutthroat trout and summer steelhead. This is strictly catch and release, traditional 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. 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. Please call or write for 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
W.S.U.Beach Watcher
U.S.C.G First Aid/CPR/BLS/AED/BBP/HIV Certified

Phone: 360-385-9618