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| Your Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing Guide, Catch & release, Fly Fishing Only! |
Thanksgiving
On this eve of Thanksgiving I am thinking about the early winter steelhead runs on our Olympic Peninsula coastal rivers and streams. Over the past few weeks we have had very little rain, and our rivers are drawing down to low and clear conditions again. I was out in the dory here, on the saltwater, several times over the last weeks, and it was almost like an Indian Summer out there all over again. Hard to believe how mild it has been. One good thing is that over the last month or more we have gained some snow in the higher elevations of the Olympic Mountains, and that is helping to keep our rivers alive as the freezing levels are going up to higher altitude over the next few days, and we expect some rain, and likely some melting and runoff, at the same time. By this weekend we should be getting some rain here. Sunday in particular looks pretty wet. And about the same time that the rain hits here, the freezing levels will again plummet, through the weekend, to near sea-level freezing temperatures by Monday. As it gets colder we are going to be using some larger or heavier flies, perhaps sinking or poly leaders too, sink tips and shooting heads, and we'll be slowing it all down to get that fly working on a slow swing. This is where spey fishing really pays off, as the work is divided between two hands, and our presentations are so much more manageable all day.
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| I can eat this entire turkey myself, without your help. |
On this eve of Thanksgiving I am thinking about the early winter steelhead runs on our Olympic Peninsula coastal rivers and streams. Over the past few weeks we have had very little rain, and our rivers are drawing down to low and clear conditions again. I was out in the dory here, on the saltwater, several times over the last weeks, and it was almost like an Indian Summer out there all over again. Hard to believe how mild it has been. One good thing is that over the last month or more we have gained some snow in the higher elevations of the Olympic Mountains, and that is helping to keep our rivers alive as the freezing levels are going up to higher altitude over the next few days, and we expect some rain, and likely some melting and runoff, at the same time. By this weekend we should be getting some rain here. Sunday in particular looks pretty wet. And about the same time that the rain hits here, the freezing levels will again plummet, through the weekend, to near sea-level freezing temperatures by Monday. As it gets colder we are going to be using some larger or heavier flies, perhaps sinking or poly leaders too, sink tips and shooting heads, and we'll be slowing it all down to get that fly working on a slow swing. This is where spey fishing really pays off, as the work is divided between two hands, and our presentations are so much more manageable all day.
My sense of this situation is that along with some much needed rain, we will likely get a moderate reaction in river flows as the rains turn to ice and snow. I just wish it was happening today. It looks like a very mild, pleasant Thanksgiving for fly fishermen here. Friday too may be nice, with some rain expected, and colder temperatures beginning to move in by Saturday. With that kind of pressure and temperature change, we will likely get some wind too, at least through Saturday and into Sunday. After Monday it looks very cold and dry for the end of November and beginning of December. And by then the mountains will be loaded with fresh snow, the rivers charged and alive. I bet there will be some winter runs in the mix too. Please do your part to catch and kill as many of these hatchery-run steelhead as you legally may. Dress warmly. It should be interesting to see how this weekend shakes out.
So there you have it- sunshine, rain, wind, ice, snow, fresh winter flows, and the promise of chrome bright winter fish- It must be winter steelhead season!
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| There are steelhead out there! . . . |
I don't know about you, but I am going to be eating turkey every day for a week to come. Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy every minute of it!
See Dr Cliff Mass weather blog for the latest updates on this holiday weekend regional weather. We are especially blessed this year!http://cliffmass.blogspot.com
For a good read on Bull Trout fly fishing, from our friend Jon Tobey:
http://gointothelight.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/hunting-bulls/
Autumn Cutthroat and early Winter Steelhead!
We'll be walk and wade fishing these beautiful Olympic Peninsula saltwater beaches right through November- And any time that the conditions are right- all winter! Our early winter-run Steelhead are coming into the Olympic Peninsula coastal rivers with each spate that we have been having, all through autumn so far. If you would like to plan a fishing date with me- do it well ahead of time.
Remember: Catch & Release, Traditional Fly fishing Only!
Beginners welcome. Full instruction available. Complete support assured. Use of equipment available. Picnic lunch and soft beverages provided. Celebrating over 33 years of international fly fishing adventures!
Please call or write 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. Cert?BLS/BBP/HIV/CPR/First Aid.
Private and public presentations.
Row Boat Picnics on a local salmon estuary.
Telephone: 360-385-9618 / International Toll Free: 866-793-3595
Email: littlestoneflyfisher@mail.com
Web: Little Stone Flyfisher
Like us On Facebook! www.facebook.com/LittleStoneFlyfisher
Please call or write 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. Cert?BLS/BBP/HIV/CPR/First Aid.
Private and public presentations.
Row Boat Picnics on a local salmon estuary.
Telephone: 360-385-9618 / International Toll Free: 866-793-3595
Email: littlestoneflyfisher@mail.com
Web: Little Stone Flyfisher
Like us On Facebook! www.facebook.com/LittleStoneFlyfisher
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