Tuesday, October 23, 2018

October's end.


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

The weather is changing.

   We have had an uncommonly mild, warm, dry and pleasant autumn here on the Olympic Peninsula so far. And the rivers are running low now, well below normal flows, as we have had very little rain. Not so good for trout fishing, especially with all of the leaves in the water on some breezy days. As October draws to a close, all of this is changing. For the next ten days, the forecast looks like light to moderate rainfall across western Washington. The southwest wind pattern, carrying Pacific Ocean warm moist air, is beginning to set up. The rivers should be on the rise over the next week or so. A hint of things to come as winter edges near.  We've had great sea-run cutthroat trout fishing on the beaches all along. And if the rains don't get too intense, we may have really good river flows for some more trout and summer steelhead fishing. There's some big sea-runs getting into our coastal rivers this time of year. The winter-run hatchery steelhead are coming too. And we owe it to them to go catch them. The rains will help.


Madrone in fall berries 


Does this dory make my ass look fat?
    
   What I love about autumn fishing here is how beautiful the forests and rivers are when the moisture, fog and rains are seeping into the parched soils. Everything comes back to life, dripping wet. The rain forest gets that deep, earthy fragrance back  It's like living in a Sierra Club calendar. By late, dark, cold winter, that will get a little old. But for now, I am digging it. Lots of good fishing ahead! We'll be beach and river fishing all fall, and through December. 

 
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






Saturday, October 6, 2018

October Turning

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


Fresh October flies for sea-run cutthroat trout and summer run steelhead.

    We have been getting an extended "Indian Summer" here, with some very mild, sunny days on the water. After weeks of blustery conditions, and several cancellations, I finally got to fish with Leland again, for a day on the beaches, chasing cutthroat trout. We tried a few new spots, covered some beautiful water, and had a great lunch break. Sadly, I did not get any pictures of Leland napping on the beaches this time. Leland got into some aggressive cutthroat after lunch, and he seemed to be surrounded by trout chasing his popper. That action lasted for over an hour, and it was a hoot to watch. There's nothing quite like having wild trout attacking your fly, in shallow fast water. Coho season closed here last Sunday, after a seriously slow season on our beaches. Swinging  a #6 trout fly, on a five weight rod, with a 4X tippett, I got a nasty slashing hit from a slab of a coho, that immediately cut off my fly, and headed south like a streak. That the fish was on the surface, made it all the more spectacular. And I didn't mind it a bit. We just take it as it comes. 


Variations on the October Caddis. All boxed up and ready to go.

    The Olympic Peninsula rivers have been getting some rain and much improved flows for the last few weeks or more. Each cycle of rain seems to be brief enough to allow for some good fishing as the river levels drop. This has been an ideal set-up for some great fall fishing. We have not gotten any great flooding events as of yet, so things are fairly stable. The saltchuck has been busy with feeding sea-runs, lots of bait around this fall, and some of the biggest fish of the year. This has always been my favorite time of year. The refreshing cool air, the subtle changes of the fall foliage, wood smoke in the air. And the fall harvest of so many good things. The changeable weather keeps things stirred up and changing in the waters too. I like fishing in the hours and days after a storm or high water event. This keeps the fish moving. And that can really help the fishing,  as long as they aren't moving too darned much. These beautiful autumn days are not to be missed. I'll bring the lunch, with hot coffee or tea! 



My biggest autumn sea-run cutthroat trout, 
 at over 24-1/2 inches.



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