Sunday, July 23, 2017

Tides To Dream On


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


Working the top of the tide.

   The new moon tonight has been setting up some really good tides now, and for the next few weeks, and through the full moon on August 7th. Some of the lowest tides of the year occur around this time. And some of the greatest opportunities for fishing the incoming tides are upon us. It all comes down to a greater exchange of tidal altitudes and tidal current duration. In some locations, like up here on north Puget Sound this is really good for the salmon fishing on the beaches. And these deeper, colder tides, will help to moderate the shallow water temperatures this time of year, which is especially good for the sea-run cutthroat trout fishing. The bait, and the big fish, will easily avoid warmer water areas. And with all of this water moving now, the wind and waves are moderating into a normal summertime pattern, with a 5 to 10 knot onshore wind from the northwest during the day. Cool and refreshing. It works out that many of the best fishing tides coming up over the next few weeks are happening near dawn and dusk. I am loving this weather, and this season!


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It's herring time!
These are my flatwing herring flies, for salmon fishing.
Tied on #4 open-eye sickle hooks
from RvrFshr Products

    We have been seeing lots of bait, bait balls, birds wheeling and diving on bait, fish and seals crashing the bait on the surface, etc around here all spring and early summer. Right now there is an abundance of 2 to 4 inch herring. The birds and fish are gorging on them. There's the usual sandlance, smelt, etc., too. But the herring seem especially prominent this year. Make sure you have a good selection of baitfish flies, from 2 to 4 inches long, and some even longer. I like #4 hooks for coho and pink salmon streamers. But if I am tying soft hackle flies, I will use #6 hooks for salmon too. I have caught many salmon on trout flies, from size #6 down to size #10, while we were fishing for sea-run cutthroat. (The top producer has still been the #6 muddler minnow, greased and fished right on top.) You'll notice that I tend to prefer less tinsel and flash in these flies. I rarely use florescent colors. But I do carry a few. It might not matter as much with the salmon that are migrating home. But for the sea-run cutthroat trout, the fish that are being caught and released on an ongoing basis, I think it pays to tie natural looking flies, some with no tinsel or flashy materials at all. 


Simple, sparse, Clouser style bait fish flies are still some 
of  the best flies for salmon and sea-run cutthroat fishing.


Dangerous Heat Warnings!

Please heed these warnings. The next week or so is going to be scorching hot around here. And if you are planning on fishing, you should be looking at the predawn and earliest hours of the day. Remember, the water is going to get warmer too. And in many paces this is going to crush the fish, and the fishing. See more here: 


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 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, private and group fly fishing and fly casting instruction, for beginners through expert casters.  I would be happy to help you plan your Olympic Peninsula fly fishing adventure. I also do public presentations for civic groups, private gatherings, and fly fishing clubs, Naturalist guide, rowboat picnics, tide pool and river trail day trips. Please call, write, or email for booking details. Now booking fall 2017! 


And sometimes we row . . . One angler only.
This is the way to go fly fishing for sea-run Cutthroat!

SSShhh!!! Listen to the quiet . . . 

                                    
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. Water Watchers, Beach Watchers and Shore Stewards Graduate
U.S.C.G First Aid/CPR/BLS/AED/BBP/HIV Certified

Phone: 360-385-9618

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