Sportsmen's Expo Sportsmen's Expo Sportsmen's Expo Feb 7-11, 2001 at the Exposition Center. We'll be there, so You should be too. And don't make us come out there looking for you either, Fruit Cake. If you're not fishing, you should definitely be loitering at the casting ponds and taking full advantage of your tax dollars at work in this lovely new facility. Oh yeah....then there's the fishing report immediately followed by an urgent Customer Service Message:

Steelhead fishing seems to have slowed, somewhat. Among the possible explanations are 1)lack of water, 2)lack of fish 3)Declining consumer confidence or 4)lack of water. The impending harsh weather will hopefully bring some increased flow to western WA rivers before long, as time is running out. We still hear about the occasional fish here and there, but the last week or two have been relatively slow compared with the previous month or two. The good news is that with Greenspan working his magic, things should be back to normal in no time. Waters are very low and clear, and low freezing levels don't show any signs of abatement. The passing torrents last night and this morning are just a fraction of what it's going to take to jump start the run, so maybe this weekend if all goes well the weather will suck and additional water will change the situation. That being said, there are fish in the rivers, just apparently not the numbers of recent weeks, or maybe just fewer people are fishing...in any event, your chances of hooking a fish are dramatically reduced if you don't go fishing. Conversely, putting a fly in the water will enhance your chances for a photo opportunity. This week should mark the beginning of more natives coming into the system, so after this supposed upcoming storm has settled back down, that should be a great time to tie into some love on the rivers.

Puget Sound: The central sound is closed to Salmon fishing right now, and cutthroat fishing is spotty. South sound seems to be the better bet. The really happening fishing is right around the corner. If you have not yet really give the sound a good thrashing with any success, you owe yourself a trip out with a guide. Fishing from the beaches is great, don't get me wrong, but fishing from a boat really allows you to cover a tremendous amount of terrain and water- finding fish is a much easier task. Spot Tail Salmon guides and Capt. Keith Robbins have taken us out several times in the springtime and it's always productive and informative. Take it to the hoop. Kall Kapt. Keith and talk to him about his 180 years experience in fishing the sound- or come down to the Sportsmen's Expo and hear his lecture on the topic. Take a look at his website at www.salmonguide.com.

Yakima River: Brrrrrrr! or Yummm... depending on your personal degree of enthusiasm. Most fish are being enticed by nymphs, with some midge activity (the best midging is over, our resident consultants, the Evening Hatch Guide Service reports). The water is low and clear and cold. Skwalas (spring stoneflies) are coming soon (hopefully), so the nymphing, while pretty good now, will soon get more specific and we'll even get some dry fly fishing with an inkling of hope behind it...Unlike right now. Streamers down and across work. Nymphing under an indicator seems to be the most reliable method at the moment- at least you'll have an excuse to use the floatant and the guide-de-icer.

Rocky Ford wins the beauty contest this week, unaffected by the slowing economy. The usual fare; midges, scuds, small nymphs, some dries, streamers (uglier the better). Be aware that as interest rates drop, you'll want to concentrate more on subsurface imitations than the big, expensive, gaudy Lee Wulff Labrador Brook Trout styles. Our hugely popular fly shop gets innumerable visitors on a daily basis with uplifting tales of Rocky Ford. Shouldn't you be a part of all that joy as well? (please limit your responses to three words or fewer).

Local Lakes continue to yield some limited good news from those unafraid of a good skunking. Many have been out fishing big stuff deep with scattered success. All in all it seems that previously mentioned destinations are somewhat more productive overall, but proximity and convenience keep the local stillwaters attractive, or at least moreso than dinner with the in-laws after they just returned from a 'fascinating' visit with a Trendwest salesperson.
Beep...beep...beedeeep...beepbeep. (ambient busy news room sounds) This just in. Pass and Lone lakes fishing well. Have confindence in wild woolley buggers. Wiggling blended

But- you, as a coveted subscriber to the Fishing Report will have the early first shot at this VERY LIMITED STOCK of products. Please do not send inquiries by EMAIL, as I will not be here to respond to them. If you have questions about specific items, please call or stop by the shop. So there goes the CPI right down the tubes. Be a part of it. Be a part of the new compassionate America.


Hugh Pastoriza
Creekside Angling Company

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