Mid-Summer Sea-Runs

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

A nice sea-run cutthroat trout takes the fly in shallow water.

     This time of year we are usually baking under a hot sun most of the days that we are on the water. I for one am appreciating the cool and cloudy weather this year. This week ahead looks to be summer'ish around the Olympic Peninsula. The long range forecast looks especially good, and fairly typical of July. So maybe we are getting a real summer here after all. Up until this week, I have been saying that we are having a very mild winter here so far.

    Traditional trout fly fishing lore will tell you that on hot sunny days, over shallow water, with no shade or vegetation to cover the water, much less help camouflage your presence, it's not going to be good for the fishing, And that trout will not be found in these circumstances. Every trout fisherman knows that you will have to go looking for them; under the cut banks and overhangs, in the deeper holes, the trout will be hiding in the shadows and shade, seeking cooler waters. There has been some research that tracked wild rainbow trout as much as 30 miles over 24 hours,(in the Delaware  river system), as they sought thermal refuge from the summer heat. That would make for some tough fishing. Especially once the water temperatures spike well above 60 degrees.  

    We don't have quite as much of that problem on our salt waters up here in the northern reaches of Puget Sound and Admiralty Inlet. Our water is often colder than the mid-sound, south-sound and Hood Canal area. With some localized variations, and depending upon tides and winds. A little trip planning will really help now. But even under a blazing hot summer sun, with no cover, we have often caught some very big sea-run cutthroat trout in shallow salt water. The key here is that the water was cold. So that means there was an incoming tide, carrying fresh cold water into the shallow areas. Sometimes you have to go looking for that.

You can observe live feed buoy data here: Puget Sound region buoy data

And you can observe real-time tide currents and heights here: (Your results may vary, depending upon your computer or phone system.) DeepZoom 

Those are helpful tools when you are trying to find colder water for trout fishing in the saltchuck. Also, get a good stream thermometer too. You can use it to check water temperatures at your favorite summer cutthroat fishing locations. You will be surprised at what you can learn about a particular location by doing this. Trout do not stay in warm water. They will move to colder water. Go fish in the colder water! 

Orvis Stream Thermometer.

    We've been catching a few nice trout on our trips up here lately. And there's been resident coho hanging around all of late spring, and  into summer so far.  These are very scrappy, tough little trout-sized salmon. And when they show up, they will take your trout flies too. Catch and release only. The tides around this most recent full moon have been great for later afternoon and evening fishing. The other night the water was just like wet glass. And the pale moonlight and cool night air were refreshing. You can fall in love with life doing this.

This is probably 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 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 for April 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

email: littlestoneflyfisher@mail.com

Blog: http://olympicpeninsulaflyfishing.blogspot.com

Web: www.washingtonflyfishing.com/guides/littlestone

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LittleStoneFlyfisher