Fishing Information allfree-contestsandsweepstakes.com    

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


MORE RESOURCES:

CBC.ca

Bush to Protect Three Areas in Pacific
Washington Post, United States - 6 hours ago
The protected areas "will allow for research, free passage, and recreation -- including the possibility of recreational fishing one day," Bush said while ...
Bush to create three marine monuments Los Angeles Times
President Bush makes final controversial environmental push on his ... ESPN
Bush to establish 3 marine monuments in Pacific The Associated Press
Asbury Park Press - Los Angeles Times
all 747 news articles


Ice fishing takes hold near Pelican Rapids
Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN - 9 hours ago
By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal Travis Grahn of Park Region Cooperative’s sporting goods in Pelican Rapids has been selling lots of fishing ...


Catch Fishing Master World Tour For Wii
Gaming Bits, FL - 3 hours ago
For those who enjoy the spoils of the sea, but just don't like the smell, try your hand at Hudson Entertainment's Fishing Master World Tour for Wii. ...
Fishing Master World Tour 3 (Wii) WorthPlaying.com
Fishing Master World Tour Now Available Gamers Hell
all 8 news articles


Boston Globe

Deaths are a sad reminder of risks that built a city
Boston Globe, United States - 14 hours ago
Peter Parisi (left) and Kevin Farless worked to untangle fishing nets yesterday at the docks in Gloucester. The deaths of Matteo Russo and John Orlando ...
Patriot 'mystery' Coast Guard: No sign of fire in vessel debris Gloucester Daily Times
Fishing boat missing off coast of Gloucester, 1 dead Boston Herald
Two killed in fishing boat accident off of Gloucester Boston Globe
Boston Globe - Gloucester Daily Times
all 208 news articles


NOAA

New Economic Report Finds Commercial and Recreational Fishing ...
NOAA, DC - 12 hours ago
US commercial and recreational fishing generated more than $185 billion in sales and supported more than two million jobs in 2006, according to a new ...


Ice fishing taking off at area lakes
Grand Junction Free Press, CO - 18 hours ago
By Doug Miller Ice fishing has been excellent in all the lower reservoirs with safe ice to be had in the majority of each lake. Perch, crappie and bluegill ...
Extended Fishing Report for January 5 Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Ice on Lake Winnebago is safe for travel, but caution advised Oshkosh Northwestern
DNR: Ice conditions vary throught the state MLive.com
Grand Forks Herald - Norwalk Reflector
all 12 news articles


Milford aims to turn fishing spot into a park
New Haven Register (subscription), CT - 15 hours ago
The Park, Beach and Recreation Commission is scheduled to vote this week on a proposal to make the popular fishing spot along the Housatonic River a city ...


Examiner.com

Five tips to help make your next winter fly fishing excursion a ...
Examiner.com - 2 hours ago
by Michael Miller, Denver Fly Fishing Examiner The author caught this nice South Platte rainbow on a chilly winter afternoon. ...


Weekly Minnesota fishing report
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 1 hour ago
At Glenwood, some anglers have removed their ice fishing houses because of deep snow and slush. "Slush is still bad and seems to be playing a major role in ...


Post Searchlight

Fishing has been good considering
Post Searchlight, GA - 7 hours ago
For the very first time in two years, I got to go fishen with my friend, Bill Allen. He took me to his best Jack Fish hole and gave me his best Jack Fish ...

Fishing - Google News

home | site map
© 2006