Where: The Beach
When: The past two weekends
Conditions: Chilly, wet, windy
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Scar Tissue," Red Hot Chili Peppers
The wind cut sharply across my face. At odds with the direction of the tide, I had little choice but to muscle my [...]
Where: The Beach
When: This past weekend
Conditions: Chilly, breezy, overcast, rainy
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "What's My Age Again?," Blink 182
The itch was getting unbearable--the prior weekend forced me to remain indoors, partially for health, but primarily due to blustery weather.
Ironically, chum weren't' [...]
Where: The Beach
When: This past weekend
Conditions: Chilly, calm, partly sunny
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat, resident silvers
Song of the day: "Creep," Stone Temple Pilots
"The beaches have been good for cutthroat lately."
"That's what I've been hearing. Sounds like I need to break away from my attempts to'" [...]
Where: The River
When: The past two weekends
Conditions: Cold, calm
Flies used: Various spey flies
Species pursued: Steelhead
Song of the day: "Everybody's Fool," Evanescence
I wish I had something good to write about, but for me, steelheading is a less than productive pursuit, at least in terms of steelhead. :)
If [...]
Where: The Sound, an "S" River
When: The past two weekends
Conditions: Sunny and calm on the Sound; Calm and overcast turning to blustery and sunny on the river
Flies used: Clousers in the salt, various spey flies on the river
Species pursued: Coho then changing up to steelhead
Song of [...]
Where: The Sound
When: The past two weekends
Conditions: Everything but snow: Wind, rain, clouds, sun, dead calm.
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Coho
Songs of the day: "Wanna Be Starting Something," Michael Jackson
The hunt for coho continues.
Unfortunately, the crazy weather over Labor Day weekend and a not-so-ideal schedule from this [...]
Where: The Sound
When: Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Calm, overcast then sunny, humid
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Coho
Songs of the day: "Dancing With Myself," Billy Idol
From time to time, the words echo in my head.
"Sometimes you have to go with your gut."
My father, as I'm sure most fathers have' [...]
Where: The Sound
When: Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Calm, overcast then sunny, humid
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Pinks
Songs of the day: "Here I Go Again," Whitesnake; "Jump Around," House of Pain; "3AM Eternal," KLF
Sentiment seems to be circulating that this year's pink run has yet to ramp up.
If that's' [...]
Where: The Sound
When: The last three weekends
Conditions: Calm, sunny and hot to cool, slightly breezy and overcast
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Coho, Pink Salmon
Songs of the day: "Knights of Cydonia," Muse; "Know Your Enemy," Green Day; "Haunted," Evanescence
I haven't been holding out on you.
Sometimes, my 9-5 life' [...]
Where: The Sound
When: Sunday
Conditions: Calm, sunny
Flies used: Epoxy head patterns, bunny flies, clousers
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat, Coho
Song of the day: "Money Talks," AC/DC
"That is crazy."
On one hand, I couldn't agree more.
On the other? It's simply a matter of dedication that, at times, bleeds slightly into obsession.
In' [...]
Where: The Sound
When: Sunday
Conditions: Calm, overcast, later windy
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat, Resident Silvers
Song of the day: "Lookin' Out My Back Door," Creedence Clearwater Revival
The tinny beeping of the alarm roused me from my troubled sleep.
Not more than a few hours beforehand, I had slumped' [...]
Where: The beach, Cedar River
When: The last few weekends
Conditions: variable
Flies used: Clousers, Pat's Rubberlegs, Shock & Awe
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat, Resident Silvers, Trout, Suckers
Song of the day: "Numb," Linkin Park
Haven't been doing much lately, at least in terms of catching.
I didn't think the AK thing would' [...]
Where: The beaches, but not our beaches
When: Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Overcast, muggy, sometimes windy
Flies used: Clousers, Shock & Awes, chum babies, Bjorn's Stinger Prawn
Species pursued: Sea-run dolly varden; king salmon (briefly)
Songs of the trip: "Take It On The Run," REO Speedwagon; "Here I Go" [...]
No report for this week--I headed out for a morning on the Sound Saturday, but just couldn't bring myself to fight the wind.
Besides, I've been distracted by preparing for an upcoming trip I'll be taking next weekend--Alaska beaches, here I come!
Instead, I wanted to share the details of some screaming' [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday
Conditions: Sunny, warm, windy
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Who Can It Be Now?," Men At Work
The cost of a three-day weekend is double the work.
That's what I faced last week and despite my best efforts, I just couldn't muster' [...]
Where: The beach
When: Sunday
Conditions: Sunny, warm, light to medium wind
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Freedom Isn't Free," aka "Freedom Costs A Buck o Five", Team America World Police Soundtrack
Since coho fishing seems to have died down for a bit, I decided to' [...]
The day was killing me.
Somehow, I had managed to successfully wade through a barrage of requests and fire drills, only to find myself brain dead by noon.
I had to get out of the office.
But how best to spend that time recuperating and preparing for the next wave?
Figuring no one would [...]
Where: The beach
When: Sunday
Conditions: Sunny warm, medium to heavy wind
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Resident coho, sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Disturbia," Rihanna
"I've been meaning to check this place out for a while now."
I had gotten word that the latest productive beach had slowed down, so Mike' [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm, light to medium wind
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Resident coho, sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Hearbreaker," Pat Benatar
Well, my old computer is toast. After a few days of attempting to clean it up, I gave up and have [...]
Where: The beach
When: Sunday
Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm, light wind
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Resident coho, sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Go Your Own Way," Fleetwood Mac
They say the sun can put the fish down, sending them to deeper, safer water.
When you think this through, it makes sense.
But [...]
Where: The beach
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Friday and Saturday, partly cloudy, fairly calm; Sunday rainy, light wind, cold.
Flies used: Clousers, chum baby, experimental patterns
Species pursued: Resident coho, sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Green Grass and High Tides," The Outlaws
I hope everyone's Easter went well.
This past' [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Sunny, warm, light wind
Flies used: Clousers, chum baby
Species pursued: Resident coho, sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Stan," Eminem
A beautiful weekend. The sun was out, the wind was down and, after a bit of driving, the fish cooperated.
I spent Saturday with [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Wet and slightly windy on Saturday; windier but sunny on Sunday
Flies used: Clousers, chum baby
Species pursued: Resident coho, sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Lazy Eye," Silversun Pickups
I'm still in search of a significant chum fry population as' [...]
Where: The beach
When: Sunday
Conditions: Overcast, light wind
Flies used: Clousers, chum baby
Species pursued: Resident coho, sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Real Estate," Cypress Hill
The screen read, "10 AM Wind WSW 9mph."
Current conditions were calm to 3 mph winds.
It was clear that today would be a race against [...]
Resident coho fishing is still consistent and we are on the verge of the chum fry "hatch," meaning sea-run cutthroat will be joining the saltwater mix soon.
If you're new to the beach game and the idea of catching either of these species appeals to you, Puget Sound Fly Co. is' [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday
Conditions: Mostly overcast, extremely windy and rainy
Flies used: Clousers, chum baby
Species pursued: Resident coho, sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Testify," Rage Against The Machine
For those who actually braved the snow, pounding rain and insane wind on Sunday, I salute you.
I, on the other [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday
Conditions: Mostly overcast, gusty
Flies used: Shock & Awe, Clousers
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "Save Yourself," Stabbing Westward
"I'll see you at noon."
I knew it was futile from the get go, though. Wind at 23 miles per hour and limited time, not to' [...]
Where: The beach
When: Sunday
Conditions: Sunny then overcast with wind, then rainy and calm
Flies used: Shock & Awe, Clousers, Mike's Bug
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "Shooting Star," Bad Company
Fresh, salty air.
I inhaled, holding it in, doing what I could to savor being able to fish' [...]
Resident coho will be available again throughout all of the Narrows (South of the bridge is closed; north of the bridge is open right now).
If you're new to the salt thing or didn't get into them before the February closure, sign up for the upcoming beach class offered at Puget [...]
"You fishing this weekend?"
"I hope so."
My reply didn't come with much confidence, though, as I could feel my sore throat getting worse.
Come Saturday morning, fishing was questionable. Fatigue, horrendous coughing and an even worse sore throat plagued me overnight and the day ahead didn't look any better.
There was still hope, [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday
Conditions: Fairly breezy, chilly
Flies used: Clousers, Shock & Awe
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "E-Pro," Beck
"Try this. I tied it yesterday."
I had stopped by the shop to pick up a few things before heading out.
While there, Anil proffered the fly in his [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday
Conditions: Calm, chilly
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "Simple Man," Lynyrd Skynyrd
This was going to be a challenge.
First, the tidal exchange was less than optimal and second, recent reports from the beach related less than favorable conditions.
In an attempt to [...]
If you don't already know, resident coho fishing is in full swing.
Puget Sound Fly Co. will be offering one more beach class before the Narrows shuts down for SALMON until March. Class will be divided into two parts--one classroom session on Friday, January 23rd starting at 6PM and the other [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday
Conditions: Windy
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "My Own Worst Enemy," Lit
Carefully aiming my backcast between debris and in between gusts, I realized I had overestimated a few things.
First, I was off by about 45 minutes on the tidal exchange [...]
Where: The beach
When: Last Sunday, New Year's Day, Friday, Saturday
Conditions: Windy--REALLY windy
Flies used: Clousers, Dave's Frank's fly
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "All These Things That I've Done," The Killers
It had been too long since I'd fished.
After three consecutive weekends without wetting a line, the [...]
It's nice to know that some people weren't afraid of this weekend's foul weather.
Not the type of scene that would get me excited about fishing, but to each their own. :)
Snow and who-knows-what-else aside, Clark and Tyler made it out for some steelheading with the centerpin.
If you're [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday
Conditions: Sunny, then overcast, windy, cold
Flies used: Dave's Frank Fly, experimental patterns, clousers
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "The Warrior's Code," Dropkick Murphy's
The forecast called for 10 mph winds all day.
Given that, I had no reason to be surprised at the buffeting [...]
Where: The beach
When: Sunday
Conditions: Foggy, calm
Flies used: Dave's Frank Fly, experimental patterns
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "That's When I Reach for My Revolver," Mission of Burma
The fog horn ushered in the unusually warm Sunday morning.
In the muted light and under a dense fog, I [...]
Where: The beach
When: Thanksgiving, Friday
Conditions: Partly cloudy, calm at first then windy
Flies used: Dave's Frank Fly, experimental patterns
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "Float On," Modest Mouse
Seven-ish on a glorious Thanksgiving morning.
Given certain logistics this holiday, I had the perfect opportunity to [...]
Where: The beach
When: Sunday
Conditions: Mostly sunny, calm, cold and later balmy
Flies used: Experimental patterns
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "Space Oddity," David Bowie as briefly covered by Cat Power here
Beach fishing has been ramping up steadily the past few weeks and Sunday was no [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday
Conditions: Mostly sunny, calm
Flies used: Experimental patterns, clouser, wooly bugger
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat, resident coho
Song of the day: "Chop Suey," System of a Down
The price of chum eggs is especially high this year and netters are responding accordingly.
Rather than fight for what few [...]
Where: The beach
When: Sunday
Conditions: Partly cloudy, slightly breezy
Flies used: Typical chum patterns, experimental patterns
Species pursued: Chum salmon, sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Program Director," O.A.R.
"I'm hoping this rain will kick things off."
If anything, we had hope. It was up to the fish after that.
Recent reports weren't [...]
'Tis the season for beach fishing, folks, and that means saltwater classes are back!
We had a great turnout for the October class and are now booking for this month's session.
The classroom portion will be held at Puget Sound Fly Co. on 11/14 followed by a day of fishing, giving you [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Sunny, warm on Saturday; rainy, windy and cold on Sunday
Flies used: An experimental pattern and an old standby
Species pursued: Sea run cutthroat, resident coho
Song of the day: "Back In Black," AC/DC
"I'll plan on seeing you at 7:30."
His message didn't show [...]
Where: The beach
When: Saturday
Conditions: Sunny, warm
Flies used: Clousers, a few experimental patterns
Species pursued: Sea run cutthroat, resident coho
Song of the day: "Extraordinary," Liz Phair
I almost jinxed us.
While winding up the class the night before, I casually mentioned that I haven't had a group yet that didn't [...]
The fishing in the Sound is finally picking up.
Rumors are already flying around about this year's chum run.
While on vacation earlier this week, I had a chance to do some recon.
Some early chum are indeed starting to move through the salt and now through Thanksgiving would [...]
Where: The beach
When: Sunday
Conditions: Sunny, warm
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Sea run cutthroat, resident coho
Song of the day: "Satisfaction," Benny Benassi
"So every other weekend you can go?"
"Yeah."
After a busy summer, Jamie's schedule has finally opened up for some consistent fishing.
I wasn't able to catch up with him [...]
Where: The beach
When: Sunday
Conditions: Overcast, slightly windy
Flies used: Clousers
Species pursued: Sea run cutthroat, resident coho
Song of the day: "Barracuda," Heart
"You planned this, didn't you?"
I smiled.
"Yup."
For the past 2 hours, we worked down a narrow stretch of beach, picking off members of this year's [...]
"Come down next Tuesday, that's when George will be in."
"Next Tuesday" happened to be the day that "George" would be previewing some of Simms' and Sage's 2009 releases.
Ever the gear junkie, I raced down to the shop during my lunch hour to find the back table stacked with all sorts [...]
Where: Cowlitz River
When: Saturday
Conditions: Sunny, hot
Flies used: General Practitioner-style flies
Species pursued: Steelhead
Song of the day: "The Metal," Tenacious D
5:30AM, Saturday morning.
Expected high of the day, 98 degrees.
For the moment, things were cool. Steve Buckner, our guide for the day, pointed out our respective [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When:Sunday
Conditions: Sunny and breezy
Flies used: Clouser
Species pursued: Coho and searuns
Song of the day: "Mad World," Gary Jules
Seeing as how a few better than average reports have been coming in from the salt, I thought it might be a good time to check things out.
Following [...]
Where: Cowlitz River
When:Saturday
Conditions: Cool, overcast
Flies used: Not important. ;)
Species pursued: Steelhead
Song of the day: "Say It Ain't So," Weezer
After feeling pretty wiped out and taking last weekend off, I was ready to hit the water.
Rather than beat a seemingly dead horse and, more importantly, avoid the [...]
More thoughts on steelheading. It's something I've been thinking about for a while, but haven't been able to explain properly. Hopefully, you'll understand my gibberish. :) Click here to check it out.
[...]Where: Banks Lake
When:Saturday
Conditions: Sunny and HOT
Flies used: An experiment carp fly
Species pursued: Carp
Song of the day: "Lake of Fire," Nirvana
"Jeez, this is a popular place today."
Just as we were gearing up, some guy in a Tacoma drove by, rubbernecked us, and then pulled a sharp U [...]
Added a couple of short entries to the steelhead blog. Click here to check them out.
And by the way, for those of you who have missed the videos this past year, you'll be happy to know that I'll be posting vids on this blog!
I also wanted to note that [...]
Where: Two rivers, one lake, and one creek
When:Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Conditions: Sunny and HOT
Flies used: What didn't I use? :)
Species pursued: Steelhead, suckers, trout and carp
Song of the day: "Maps," Yeah Yeah Yeahs
WARNING! SUPER LONG BLOG ENTRY AHEAD!
Sleep 8, Fishing 28
From 2AM on Friday morning to [...]
Where: Back on the river
When: Saturday
Conditions: Mostly sunny, light breeze
Flies used: Marabous
Species pursued: Steelhead
Song of the day: "Surrender," Cheap Trick
"It gets to you like that."
The guy on the other end knew exactly how I felt.
Steelheading has started to consume me.
And it's not just the steelhead.
It's everything [...]
Where: On the river
When: Saturday
Conditions: Mostly sunny, slightly breezy
Flies used: Various marabous
Species pursued: Steelhead
Song of the day: "The Way It Is," Bruce Hornsby
Summer steelheading is upon us.
Days are starting earlier and ending later, making both after work jaunts as well as entire days, complete with mid-day [...]
Where: Rocky Ford
When: Saturday
Conditions: Sunny, windy
Flies used: White bunny leech, glo bug, Rickard's stillwater nymph
Species pursued: Ditch (rainbow) trout
Song of the day: "My Name Is Jonas," Weezer
"I spent a lot of time out here. Some weekends I'd head out on Saturday morning and come back that [...]
Where: NOT the Cedar River
When: Sunday
Conditions: Cool, overcast
Flies used: Marabou Spey, some no-name summer flies
Species pursued: Steelhead
Song of the day: "Are You Happy Now?," Michelle Branch
"The Cedar is definitely a no-go."
Our favorite urban stream's flows, like the majority of the other rivers', were out of control.
Puget Sound Fly Co. will be celebrating its 5 year anniversary this Saturday and to commemorate the occasion, they're giving away free stuff!
First, there's free food.
Anybody in the market for a free rod? What about a free reel? How about a free hat with ANY purchase?
Yup, they're giving that and [...]
The callbox beeped and the gate swung open.
Ten thirty on a sunny Thursday morning with no where to go but south.
I pulled into Clark's driveway and started throwing things into the FJ.
So much for packing light! ;)
I was headed to my first Spey Clave, an event where [...]
"Since we're not going to the Bahamas, I was thinking that we could go to the Spey Clave."
"Sounds like a plan."
And with that, the idea of a $1,000 plane ticket quickly faded away.
So instead of the Bahamas, Clark and I are headed to Oregon to fish for springers and check [...]
Where: Yakima River
When: Sunday
Conditions: Warm, alternating sun and overcast
Flies used: Big, meaty flies
Species pursued: Rainbow Trout
Song of the day: "Sheep Go To Heaven," Cake
"You're at 20," Vern said, pointing me toward my station.
After setting up, I took stock of this year's event.
Judging by my initial impression, [...]
I need to go fishing!!!
It's killing me.
I've been deprived for the past two weekends.
Practicing single speys on the Puyallup was the closest I got.
There is hope, though:
I'll be one of the fly tiers at this year's FFF Conclave at the Ellensburg Fairgrounds (in E-burg, of course) and [...]
Where: It doesn't matter, we didn't catch anything ;)
When: Sunday
Conditions: Warm, alternating sun and overcast
Flies used: MOAL, prawn spey, marabou spey
Species pursued: Springers and steelhead
Song of the day: "Shipping Up To Boston," Dropkick Murphys
"I think this is what we should do for my birthday."
Bryan and Don [...]
Where: Hood Canal, Puget Sound, Cowlitz River (whew!)
When: Saturday in the salt, Sunday on the Cowlitz
Conditions: Overcast, slightly windy
Flies used: Chum baby, clouser, zonker; MOAL, spey prawn
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat; Steelhead
Song of the day: "Shot In The Dark," Ozzy Osbourne
"I heard it hasn't been very good [...]
Interested in getting into the salt but don't know where to start?
Join me on Friday night (April 4th) and the following day for a crash course on beach fishing.
Equipment?
Check.
Species?
Check.
Where to find the fish?
Check.
We'll talk about this and more.
Give Puget Sound Fly Co. at 253-839-4119 to sign up and hear about [...]
Where: Hood Canal
When: Saturday
Conditions: Sunny, warm, fairly calm
Flies used: Cutthroat spey, chum baby, Clouser, bunny muddler
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "On Earth As It Is In Heaven," Ennio Morricone
"I'm getting the itch to fish and it says tomorrow's going to be nice, so give [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Saturday
Conditions: Mostly cloudy, windy in places
Flies used: Various clousers, chum baby, Knudsen spider, reduced polar shrimp
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat and resident coho
Song of the day: "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight," R.E.M
Another day of beach-hopping.
The class convened at the prescribed time, stripping baskets and rods [...]
Bummed that the rivers are closed? Can't wait for the lakes to open? Might as well kill some time in the salt. :)
If you want to broaden your horizons to fill the void known as March, join me on Friday the 14th for a quick rundown on fishing the local [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Saturday
Conditions: Mostly cloudy, windy in places
Flies used: Various clousers, chum baby, Knudsen spider, reduced polar shrimp
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat and resident coho
Song of the day: "I've Been Everywhere," Johnny Cash
Things started well enough--light wind, good rips and plenty of beach.
But looks can be [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Sunday
Conditions: Sunny, slightly windy
Flies used: Various clousers, Ferguson Green and Silver, chum baby
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat and resident coho
Song of the day: "The Seeker," The Who
"I'll be 43 tomorrow."
"Really? Where did the time go?"
Albeit cliche, the question had a very real meaning to [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Saturday
Conditions: Sunny, slightly windy
Flies used: Various clousers, Ferguson Green and Silver, epoxy baitfish
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Groove Is In The Heart," Dee Lite
"All three of us have old school lines today."
Clark and Mitch had joined me in a little retro-style [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Saturday
Conditions: Calm, sunny
Flies used: Various clousers, euphausiid Gotcha
Species pursued: Sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Don't Look Back In Anger," Oasis
"Wow, this place is beautiful."
"That's what I thought my first time here. And today's perfect."
The wind had died down over the past few days [...]
"What's everyone's availability like over the next few weeks?"
The forecast was bad--lots of wind and pretty nasty rain.
"I just want to take you guys out with the deck stacked in your favor. We could wait until next month when the rezzies are open again, too."
The class agreed. Better to fish [...]
Interested in getting into the salt but don't know where to start?
Join me on Friday night (February 8th) and the following day for a crash course on beach fishing.
Equipment?
Check.
Species?
Check.
Where to find the fish?
Check.
We'll talk about this and more.
Give Puget Sound Fly Co. at 253-839-4119 to sign up and hear about [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Saturday
Conditions: Calm at first, turning to snow, then rain then raging wind
Flies used: Various clousers, shock & awe, white wooly bugger, foul free herring
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "Are You Gonna Go My Way," Lenny Kravitz
As I looked around the table, [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Sunday
Conditions: Calm at first, then blustery
Flies used: Various clousers, snot dart
Species pursued: Resident coho
Song of the day: "Self Esteem," Offspring
"I think you brought the wind with you."
Mike was right--just as I stepped onto the beach, the wind kicked up.
Hard.
It wasn't that way earlier, [...]
"Sorry, Sunday's out for me, I have plans."
"Well, we'll be out in the morning and we'll let you know how we did."
"All right, good luck out there."
No fishing this weekend, folks, despite Sunday's respite from the wind--sometimes your schedule just doesn't match up with the fishing conditions. :(
Besides that, the [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Monday and Tuesday
Conditions: Calm, sunny
Flies used: Pink over white and chartreuse over white clousers
Species caught: Resident coho
Song of the day: "Slow Ride," Foghat
Wind.
A most hated nemesis.
For the past few weeks, W-I-N-D had spoiled my attempts at finding the rezzies.
Or any fish, for that [...]
Where: An "S" River
When: Last Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: WINDY!
Flies used: MOAL, Glo-bug
"I totally support that decision," said the voice on the message.
The wind hasn't been playing nice over the past few weeks. It went so far as to sabotage our long-awaited night fishing plans.
Rather than try my [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Saturday
Conditions: Sunny, WINDY
Flies used: Clouser
Song of the day: "I Wish," Stevie Wonder
"Have you looked out the window?"
"Uh, no. Why?"
"Go look."
Gusts of wind tore at the trees.
And yesterday was dead calm.
What's the deal with all this extreme weather of late?
We bet against ourselves and went [...]
I hope you were all nice instead of naughty this year! If you were, chances are you'll be able to cash in on your good behavior and convince somebody to leave one (or, preferably, a few *wink*) of these great items under the tree for you.
Just don't forget to put [...]
Where: East of the mountains
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Overcast, FRIGID
Flies used: MOAL, marabou spey, glo bug
Species sought: Steelhead
Song of the day: "You Can't Always Get What You Want," Rolling Stones
Below freezing temperatures.
Low water.
Small chance of success.
All good reasons to go on a road trip to [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Saturday
Conditions: Overcast, RAINY
Flies used: Lanterns (green, pink), wooly bugger, various spiders
Species sought: Chum salmon
Song of the day: "Hurt So Good," John Cougar Mellencamp
"Jimmy Dean sausage..."
I chuckled as we recounted the YouTube clip.
As long as it was a distraction from the imminent aching, I [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Sunday
Conditions: Windy, overcast, rainy later
Flies used: Lanterns (green, pink, orange) , General Beauregard, wooly bugger
Species sought: Chum salmon
Song of the day: "Trinity Infinity," Don Davis, from the Matrix movie score
The e-mail read:
"My neck and shoulders are so sore dude."
I was suffering, too.
Chum will [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Sunday
Conditions: Fairly calm, overcast
Flies used: Clousers and wooly buggers
Species sought: Sea-run cutthroat
Song of the day: "1234," Feist
There are fish being caught in the South Sound, folks. And we're not talking chum, necessarily.
Check it out:
It started with cutties...
...then [...]
Where: Deschutes River, OR
When: Saturday evening, Sunday and Monday morning
Conditions: Clear, sunny, COLD
Flies used: Sara Jane, marabou spey, General Beauregard, Mardi Gras spey
Species pursued: Steelhead
Song of the day: "Give A Little Bit" Supertramp
"It doesn't seem like four hours."
As I strung up my rod, determined to fish [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Saturday
Conditions: Rainy, WINDY
Flies used: Marabou spey, Green Goblin spey, Lantern
Species sought: Chum
Song of the day: "With A Little Help From My Friends," Joe Cocker
"The Chum are in, along with a few Silvers."
"Then it looks like we'll be celebrating Don and Bryan's birthday out [...]
Where: An "S" River
When: Saturday
Conditions: Foggy in the morning, clear and warm during the afternoon
Flies used: Marabou spey, Sara Jane Spey, Fall Favorite, MOAL
Species sought: Steelhead
Song of the day: "Daydream Believer," The Monkees
"Whoohoo!"
The whoop echoed off the fall colors surrounding us.
I looked upstream [...]
Where: Skykomish River
When: Sunday
Conditions: Overcast, rainy
Flies used: MOAL leech, marabou spey
Species sought: Steelhead
Species caught: A few beat up, nasty pinks. :(
"Let's go anyway."
That was the thought. The four of us had been geared up for spey all week and, river blown out or not, we [...]
Where: Skykomish River
When: Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Conditions: Overcast, occasionally drizzly
Flies used: Sara Jane Spey, marabou spey, guinea spey, Bill's Spey
Species caught: Steelhead
Song of the day: "Joy To The World" Three Dog Night
"I like that shirt."
"Thanks."
"I should probably tie a fly in those colors," I thought.
Not long [...]
For those folks who weren't following the blog from a year back or so, here's some background on my hunt for steelhead.
Where: Deschutes River, Oregon
When: Sunday, 10/8/06
Conditions: Sunny; cold in the morning and mild and windy in the afternoon
Flies used: Jennings’ Designated Hitter, purple; Bennett’s Last Light; [...]
Where: Skykomish River
When: Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Overcast, occasionally drizzly
Flies used: Sara Jane Spey, marabou spey, guinea spey
Species caught: Steelhead
Song of the day: "Joy To The World" Three Dog Night
Ten foot swells do not for a fun boat ride make.
Such conditions cast a cloud over our long-awaited [...]
Where: Skykomish River
When: Saturday and Sunday
Conditions: Breezy, cold, drizzly, overcast--it's basically Autumn, so what would you expect? ;)
Flies used: Bennet's Halo, Guinea spey, Poker Face, Mack's Canyon
Species caught: Steelhead
Song of the day: "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" Creedence Clearwater Revival
"What are we doing this weekend?"
"Going [...]
A link to this past weekend's Tuna expedition:
[www.washingtonflyfishing.com]
Something to look forward to. :)
By this time next week, I'll hopefully be asleep, exhausted from yanking on as many tuna as these guys caught...
Now where's my 12 weight? :)
[...]Where: Puget Sound
When: Sunday
Conditions: Sunny, warm, windy
Flies used: Olive over white clouser
Species caught: Sea run cutthroat
Song of the day: "Big Empty," Stone Temple Pilots
"I totally understand if you guys want to go in a different direction."
"I think that's the plan. Good luck out there."
Steve wished us [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Monday
Conditions: Sunny, cool, calm
Flies used: Pink over white clouser
Species caught: Pink Salmon
Song of the day: "Relax," Frankie Goes to Hollywood
"Man, the tide is low."
The three of us stood on the beach. Every once in a while, we'd get in the [...]
Where: Puget Sound
When: Saturday
Conditions: Overcast, slightly breezy
Flies used: Pink over white clouser
Species caught: Pink Salmon
Song of the day: "The Remedy," Jason Mraz
I nagged them all morning.
"You're breaking your wrist again."
"Get that rod tip low."
"Remember to drive to a hard stop."
"Don't look at your equipment, look at [...]
