Saltwater Fly Fishing in Washington State
When most people think of saltwater fly fishing their minds drift to tropical climates and fish species such as tarpon and bonefish. While the Pacific Northwest lacks the hot weather and the typical saltwater gamefish, it more than makes up for it with outstanding fly fishing and spectacular scenery.
I have spent some time fishing in warmer climates, but I always want to return back to Washington State. Whether it's casting along the beaches of Hood Canal for sea-run cutthroat or fighting the swells and currents casting flies for coho salmon in the Pacific Ocean, I cannot get enough of the saltwater fly fishing opportunities available right here.
Much of my summer is spent fly fishing the Pacific Ocean for salmon and bottomfish. Bottomfishing is targeting fish such as rockfish and lingcod. This is fishing right up near the rugged rocks and shorelines that line the Northern coast of Washington. The fishing is often fast and furious. Once you find the schools of black rockfish, you will catch them one after another. They are aggressive, and can even be caught on poppers occasionally. While fishing along the coast, you will see sea lions, seals, tons of birds, and possibly a whale.
The other primary saltwater fly fishing target in the Pacific Ocean is the coho salmon. Neah Bay is located in a perfect place to intercept millions of salmon as they return to rivers from Oregon, British Columbia, and Washington. The strong currents concentrate the fish as they feed on baitfish and shrimp. This is incredible saltwater fly fishing, with 10-30 fish days possible. Most coho salmon run between 4-6 pounds, but fish in the high teens are landed every year. Casting baitfish patterns on sinking lines is the primary way to catch salmon, but fishing on the surface is becoming more popular. Pink salmon are also available every other year, and they only add to the fun.
The offshore fishery requires a sturdy boat and some experience, but Washington State also offers great saltwater fly fishing right around the Seattle metro area. Stretching from Bellingham to Olympia, Puget Sound is a large protected body of water. Draining into Puget Sound are numerous rivers and creeks. These watersheds produce annual runs of coho, pink, and chum salmon that are available to not only anglers with boats, but can be caught from shore. Along with the salmon, Puget Sound and Hood Canal offer outstanding habitat for the sea-run cutthroat trout. This native trout moves into the saltwater to feed. Casting flies along the beaches is a popular fishery for these trout.
The cutthroats are like ghosts as they cruise along the beaches. The beaches I like to fish typically are rocky or have large amounts of oysters. This habitat supports the feed, such as sculpins, baitfish and shrimp that cutthroat love to eat. Fishing surface patterns such as Gurglers is becoming much more popular, and is a great way to search for fish. The cutthroat will often show themselves boiling at the dry, and then switching to a subsurface baitfish pattern will result in a solid hookup.
If you are traveling through the Pacific Northwest, you might want to remember that where there is saltwater, there is saltwater fly fishing.
Chris Bellows, owner of Topwater Charters, Inc, which runs fly fishing charters off the Washington Coast. His websites offer more information about Saltwater Fly Fishing and Neah Bay Halibut Fishing
Latest News
 Newsday | Feds charge Montauk fleet with illegal bass fishing Newsday, NY - James Cassin, a National Marine Fisheries special agent, said the agency had reports of fishing boats going to the Block Island Sound buoy in federal waters ... Fleet, captain charged with illegal bass catch |
Fishing | Winter steelhead show up early Seattle Times, United States - Winter steelhead fishing usually begins in earnest around Thanksgiving, but it appears they've ignored tradition and have arrived early. ... Fishing report: Coho and steelhead are biting in several rivers Outdoors Report: Signs improve as rivers shape up Catch rate is rising for fly anglers |
 The Associated Press | Thai fishing boat hijacked by pirates off Somalia The Associated Press - MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Pirates hijacked a Thai fishing boat with 16 crew members Tuesday off the coast of Somalia, the same day a major Norwegian ... Kiribati fishing boat reportedly hijacked Somali pirates hijack Thai fishing vessel Sirius Star pirates demand $25m ransom |
Economy, hurricanes cause recreational recession Houston Chronicle, United States - The result has been a significant decline in sales of the fishing and hunting licenses that almost wholly fund state programs that manage wildlife, ... |
Fishing Report The News Journal, DE - By BOB JONES • Special to The News Journal • November 20, 2008 Catch reports from offshore anglers fishing the warm Gulf Stream waters off the Outer Banks ... Despite mixed up weather, there's still great fishing |
Fishing: Cold front has cooled things down, but opportunities ... Naples Daily News, FL - The exact effects that this will have on the local fishing are uncertain, however two different, reputable guides told me they had sighted several shivering ... South Florida fishing report |
Fishing report Nov. 20 New Mexican, NM - Conchas Lake: Fishing was slow for all species. Eagle Nest Lake: Kokanee snagging was fair for anglers working the south side by boat. ... Fishing Report: Week of Nov. 20 |
Northwest Arkansas Fishing Report The Morning News, AR - Bob Bauer at Lost Bridge Marina said anglers have reported good fishing early with top-water lures. The fish go deep by the afternoon. ... Arkansas fishing report Statewide Fishing Report |
Fishing Line: Top Picks Sacramento Bee, USA - SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento--Striped bass fishing was still pretty good, with some being caught in the Port of Sacramento, and the mouths of the American ... 11-year-old has big dreams |
Oregon offers online hunting and fishing licenses The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, OR - AP SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Hunters and anglers can now go online to buy their Oregon licenses. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is offering residents ... State online tag system up and running |
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