In Part I of this article, we talked about the basics of choosing a fly fishing leader and focused those discussions primarily from the perspective of the trout angler. In Part II, we’re going to take things further and discuss a few more details which will surely come up, such as nylon leaders vs. fluorocarbon leaders, leaders for large, weighted or air-resistant flies, and leaders as they relate to common casting issues.
Here is your July fishing report and some ideas for fly fishing the greater Seattle area during the month of July!
Summer has arrived in the greater Seattle area. July is another great month to get out and enjoy some fly fishing in Washington.; Here is a list of some great fly fishing ideas and a fishing report for fly fishing anglers headquartered in or visiting the Western Washington region.
I think I have finally caught up on my sleep after our Kings on the Swing trip to B.C. during the third week in June. We spent a week fi
shing the Kitimat River with our friends at Skeena River Lodge and, even though the fishing was a bit on the challenging side, it was a very fun, successful trip. It was great to fish and hang out with the other anglers, guides and other lodge staff on this trip and bright, tough Chinook salmon were landed by all.
Leaders in the modern fly fishing world seem to have become under-appreciated. Talking with fly anglers on a daily basis in the fly shop, we have a large sample pool to draw from and lately, it seems, the average angler is less concerned and possibly less aware of how the line, leader and fly work together to create an appropriate cast and presentation. This line, leader and fly relationship changes based on the kind of fishing and equipment being used, but there are some basic concepts and basic rules that will help many anglers become better anglers right out of the gate.
June is here and fly fishing in the Seattle area has plenty to offer this month. Here is a fishing report and some ideas on where you may want to spend some time with your fly rods in the Seattle and general Washington area.
If we can help with equipment, other location ideas, flies, or anything else to get you out on the water, swing by the shop or give us a call.
April was so sunny and warm it feels like we skipped May and are already into June. Some of the fly fishing conditions feel that way as well. With warm temperatures comes bug hatches and feeding fish. There are already early hatches of salmonflies on the Yakima, lakes are cranking out trout, and sea-run cutthroat anglers are producing great reports on Puget Sound beaches.
May is one of the best months for fly fishing the many trout lakes throughout the state. Almost all lakes are open in May and important food items like chironomids and damselflies are in full swing. The trout are taking full advantage of these food items and the fishing can be as good as it gets.
Take a look at our most recent newsletter, sent on May 1, 2025. It includes our Top 15 Flies for Trout Lakes, some great new products, plus a trip report from out latest hosted trip for spring steelhead to the Skeena River.
We’ve had lots of customers asking about how our hosted trip to the Skeena for spring steelhead faired here recently so here is a little trip report. Overall, however, it was pretty dang awesome!
We fished our butts off but were rewarded with some nice weather and really good fishing. One fortunate angler would also find himself posing for photos with the steelhead of a lifetime… and then an hour later he would land one even bigger!
UPDATED: March 5, 2025
March has quickly snuck up on us and spring is beginning to spring! March brings all sorts of new fly fishing opportunities to the fly fishing angler HQ'd in the Seattle/Everett/Western Washington area. Steelhead opportunities are in prime time. Our best trout lakes are just opening, and the Skwala stoneflies should be about ready to pop on the Yak. Check out this March report for more info and ideas on where anglers may want to consider for their fly fishing calendar for March.
February is here and bringing some much needed rain so far. I have daffodils starting to sprout up at the house and that means some of the best fishing of year is approaching. At some point, February usually offers some warmer temperatures and at least some sunshine. It also starts off better trout lake fishing, spring steelhead fishing, and the beginning of hatches on rivers like the Yakima. It's time to get that gear in order and hit the water. Here are some favorite February places to target for your next fly fishing adventure in the greater Seattle/Everett and Washington state area.