It's August and warm weather and low rivers create as many opportunities as they take away. August in the greater western Washington area offers good fly fishing days for alpine lakes, upper stretches of our local rivers for trout, also cutthroat and salmon off of local beaches, and warmwater species like bass and carp. Here is a breakdown of what we're seeing for good fly fishing spots in the month to come.
There are great fly rod options in the mid-price point these days. Here are our top choices for the best fly rods in the $375 to $795 price range, rods that won't totally kill the bank account but won't leave you wishing you got something better down the road.
We evaluate rods we bring into the shop based on how well they cast close and far, how they feel in hand, how well they can accommodate casting faults, the quality of their components, and their value compared to other products on the market.
Well, we're nearly a third of the way through July and we're just getting our July report out. Summers are always so busy. The good news is, there are loads of fly fishing opportunities for all sorts of things right now. Here is a breakdown of what we're hearing and seeing out there.
Fly fishing comes with a lot of questions — and that’s exactly why this guide exists. Whether you're brand‑new to the sport or looking to sharpen your skills, this Top 25 Fly Fishing Questions Answered guide breaks down the essentials in a clear, practical way. From choosing the right fly rod and leader setup to understanding trout behavior, casting techniques, fly selection, and seasonal strategies, you’ll find straightforward answers backed by real‑world experience on the water.
Early summer fly fishing in Washington is full of great opportunities. Hit the trout rivers and certainly the trout lakes as well this month. Don't for get about our warmwater friends as June can be one of the best times of the year for finding willing bass and panfish in the shallow shoreline areas willing to eat topwater.
It has been a beautiful couple weeks and the spring fishing is showing up right on time. Sorry for the late post but I was.... fishing! After a week chasing spring steelhead in B.C., I can tell you, it is nice to get back to spring-like warmer temps and some sunshine.
There are loads of spring fly fishing opportunities in western Washington and the surrounding areas. Trout lakes, the Yakima, bass lakes, and OP steelhead are a few of the highlights.
Fly boxes will always have their place, but today’s anglers carry more patterns, fish more diverse water, and tie more flies than ever. That means storage needs have evolved. Whether you’re organizing at home, rigging at the truck, or fishing from a boat, there are other options that are lighter, smaller, and more packable than just the classic box.
The month of March brings a revival of fly fishing opportunities for the Seattle and western Washington angler. This March is starting off on the rainy and cool side of things, which is probably good given our low snowpack situation. It has been a great winter at least! Let's hope we don't pay for it this summer and fall. Whatever the case, here are some great places to go fly fishing in the greater Washington area right now!
Baitfish flies are incredibly effective for Puget Sound sea-run cutthroat. While these flies are productive, our Puget Sound conditions can make fishing them challenging. Between wind, weeds, and surf, there are many variables on the water that love to foul the materials on long, flowing baitfish flies.
I designed for a few key reasons. 1) Spend less time untangling or unfouling the materials. 2) Place the hook point in the most optimal position based on how I’ve observed cutthroat eating flies.
It has been a crazy January and into February so far. Sixty degrees in January? Probably not good for the ol' snow pack but it has created some unseasonably great fishing. We've had some crazy reports of good fishing for Skwala stones already and even on dries! It is super early for that but sounds great!
Also, some lakes are already staring to fish well in the local area and those lakes that open on March 1st may be off to a hot start.