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While we continue to address 'get well soon' cards to our local
streams with the hope of their continued recovery, we've been finding
it necessary to satisfy the craving by carving out newer spots and
niches to clamour to...Explaination to follow:
The Yakima has been exhibiting flows in the canyon from 4,000
to 7,000 cfs (Umtanum) over the last 6 days. Today (Wednesday 6/19),
it's in a downtrend, but has strong historical support at around
3,900 cfs. We recommend a 'hold' at this level, (~4,610 cfs), but
would be swayed to a strong 'buy' at 4,000 cfs or below. Given that
we are on the downside of the mountanous swings in the flow, though,
that should be an indicator of pretty good water clarity. If you're
choking on all that, suffice it to say that it's very volitile these
days, but right now, it seems to be settling down a bit. Up higher,
around Cle Elum, the river is still very high, but down considerably
from just a few days ago. Assuming we don't get another big warming
trend, or massive rainfall, we just may be able to get a decent
few days out of the river this weekend. Check our website for current
flow info- www.creeksideangling.com/LinksYakima.htm. If you've got
the gumption, you should include the following flies in your selection
as these bugs are hatching now: caddisflies, BWO's, little yellow
stoneflies, golden stones, mohogony duns...and attractor nymphs-
(the usual) pheasant tail, hare's ear, stone nymphs of various style
and complexity (we have some interesting offerings here), bloody
mary, king prince...and so on. We are always happy to offer suggestions
from our vast fly selection, which is particularly vast right now....busting
with over 1000 Dozen newly arrived, freshly tied, novel, realistic
and fuzzy patterns to refresh your stale selection with. We are
your brisker.
Snoqualmie Forks obviously, have also been in turmoil of
late. In spite of the funky flow changes, the South Fork has remained
relatively clear. All of the westside rivers are down considerably
from just a day or two ago, and barring unforseen torrents, should
mellow out. Wading on the forks will be limited, and the water is
really moving- but fishing is still better than (insert moderately
undesirable task here)...(or for those of little imagination, try
weeding, or cropping old pictures for the family photo album). If
you can find a stand of water that isn't driving downstream at a
breakneck pace, you could drift a dry fly attractor pattern, but
you're more likely to turn fishheads with beaded nymphs bouncing
off the bottom. The water is not only swift, but cold, so fish aren't
really freaking out and cruising far out of their way to cash in.
See the attractor nymph comments above for some ideas on fly patterns.
Anadramous fish are reappearing here and there, and are moderately
accessible when the flows dip below the tens-of-thousands. Steelhead
have been reportedly landed (on flies, no less) in both the Snoqualmie
and the Skykomish over the last few days. Bigger winter-style flies
fished winter-style in this winter-style water are the way to go.
The Stillaguamish drops into shape the most quickly of our little
stomping-ground: Snohomish/north end drainage. The worst that can
happen is you don't have to say 'no, I haven't been fishing at all...'
next time someone asks. Bulky, dark patterns fished deep seem most
likely to wrangle an early summer or late winter run fish, and there
are spring Chinook in some of the rivers, which wouldn't be a bad
incidental catch on an eight weight.
Rocky Ford's water is up a bit, giving the fish a little
breathing room. #22 midges were the topic of conversation with a
recent Rocky Ford angler. Chironomids, Damselflies, dragonflies,
long leaders, streamers, long leaders, tiny attractor nymphs, long
leaders, and some Callibaetis and long leaders have been effective
over there of late. It doesn't fish 'bad', usually.
Eastside Lakes have been offering continued good fishing.
Dry Falls, Lenice, Nunnally, Merry and Lenore, among others, have
been fishing well. The damsel and dragonfly emergence has weighed
heavily on the trout diet lately, along with the usual fare of chironomids
and mixed mayfly-esque bugs- nymphs and emergers. It's been warm,
but not that warm, so things ought to stay in shape for some time
yet. Although a couple of anglers reported recently that they did
best when they were able to get down a little deeper to the cooler
depths. That means bring a sinking line, as if you didn't know.
The scenario when you put your damsel adult out near the vegetation
on the right side of Lenice, and 3 real damselflies land on it attempting
to mate, and a fish comes up and sips the little damsel-cluster.
Assumably, we all spend countless hours fishing in search of something
like that happening.
Westside Lakes aren't subject to blowing out when the snow
melts, like the rivers are. Au contraire. While we've been lamenting
the lost time in moving water, the lake fishermen have been cleaning
up. Alice, Pine, Beaver, Rattlesnake, Langlois...the 'within 10
minutes pack', have all been rewarding those who either accepted
nature's deal (i.e. the cards nature's dealing...), or just wanted
to fish near home. The same principles that apply to the eastside
lakes apply here- damsels, dragons, buggers, leeches, chironomids-
some mixed nymphs in the box will all help you along the way. And
while we consider the full sinking line to be key, bring the floater
for the rare surface barrage.
Puget Sound: Cutthroats are on the bite. It's prime time
to be a sea-going trout in the sound right now. Shrimp, sand lance,
herring, sculpin, krill, salmon smolts and hapless terrestrials
are all available in good numbers now that the warm, long days of
summer are here. The pods of cutts will probably show themselves
if they are present, as this is their time to store away calories
for leaner times come Autumn. Because their feeding behavior is
so aggressive they also tend to be more opportunistic feeders this
time of year. Realistic imitations of shrimp and baitfish are important
to have, but attractor wet flies and dry flies will do. This is
probably the one time of year that the well stocked freshwater trout
fisher could just go to the saltwater with the typical lake and
stream assortments and expect to catch some fish. However, when
migratory Coho return to the sound a full box of bigger saltwater
streamers and attractors will be needed to consistently catch these
brutes. Go to a beach you know and start exploring with fly-rod
and fly you'll be pleased with the results, and even if you've never
tried fishing in the sound you can expect to see some action out
on the business end this month. ~Seth Taylor
Fortunately, all malnourished baby orcas have been removed from
the Sound for rehabilitation and re-education, so your catch should
be safe.
Thanks for reading. Hope this helps you motivate. Please feel free
to stop by or call the shop for more information, or if you just
want someone to kiss your ass (figuratively speaking, of course).
Sincerely,
Hugh Pastoriza
& Creekside Angling Company Staff
1180 N.W. Gilman Blvd.
Issaquah, WA 98027
p.425.392.3800
f.425.557.8928
www.creeksideangling.com
Copyright ©2000-2002 Creekside Angling Company
All Rights Reserved
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