Time to get some quality time in on the water before the snow that is left in the mountains makes its migration to our streams. Reports round about have been consistently favorable, despite the political climate and Mariners' woes. June 1st is going to be just a little bit more interesting this year than years past, given some of the new fisheries that will become available. You don't have to go fishing, but it helps.
The Yakima River has been giving anglers that extra little lift we all need to make time spent off the water more tolerable in comparison. Hatches have been pretty widespread, with salmonflies, caddisflies, Pale Morning Duns, Green Drakes, midge, March Browns and blue winged olives all showing themselves at one time or another throughout the day. Add the terrestrials (ants, beetles, etc.) and the menu is packed for all involved. The water is in great shape with the exception of from Wilson creek down (in the lower canyon), and still wadeable all over. Reports have been excellent, with anglers main obstacle being the velocity of the breeze. There are some good ways to combat wind when you're trying to present a fly- shorten up your leader and your cast. Stop the rod sooner- i.e. at 11 o'clock instead of 10 o'clock- this will help to tighten up your loop, making the line more aerodynamic. There is definitely a point, however, when the wind is howling to such a degree that you don't even really need to cast- you can just hold your rod vertically and let the wind take your line. Kite fishing. It’s a good thing.

Local lakes such as Rattlesnake and Beaver have been silly (good) with planted trout, and few large planted trout at that. Woolly buggers are catching most of the fish because they are spending the most time lashed to the tippet end. Hatches of callibaetis mayflies and chironomids are bringing the fish to the surface in the evening, so productive dry fly fishing would be limited to dusk. But you want to be ready with a fine leader and a midge or mayfly dry to jump on the low-light risers when they’re biting. What you want to avoid is being committed to a high density full sinking line and a giant streamer while the light of day fades and the eight pound triploids start looking up. This may mean that you need to borrow or buy more fly fishing rods, reels and lines to fully enjoy yourself.

Our little local streams, the forks of the Snoqualmie River, have been giving up some good little trout action. The water is still high for the forks because of some remaining snow melt – thank goodness. This means that you’re going to be looking for quiet backwaters out of the main flow where a fish could get a break from the cold, swift, current. Bead head nymphs, like lightning bugs or prince nymphs, fished in tandem with an attractor dry fly, like a stimulator or parachute madam-x (PMX), will work well. As the water drops and warms the all purpose dry and dropper program will produce even better results, but then again so will anything because they’re crazy Snoqualmie cutthroat. If all else fails try a bead head bugger in the deep holes, as this is done so infrequently up on the forks it should produce a few good fish that are none the wiser to such tactics.

Eastern Washington lakes have been continuing to fish well in general. Damsel and dragonflies are going nuts, and the fish are cruising the shorelines amongst the vegetation hunting for little crawlers and swimmers - the nymphs making their way to the shoreline reeds to crawl out and shed their nymphdom. Damsel and dragonfly adult imitations can also be really fun to fish, and have the potential for Tawnya Harding like strikes. Chironomids are always in the game, and the callibaetis (speckled wing) mayflies are on the verge of making their strong appearance- so be prepared. Hit up your local flyshop for the various stages of development of your favorite aquatic insects today.

Rocky Ford, while fishable, had a good deal of algae sprouting up on it last week. The fish were still eating; chironomid, scuds, streamers, emergers…the usual, but the muck on the surface made fishing difficult. This may have cleared by now, but just be aware of the possibility of surface ooze. The faster moving water will be less heinous.

Puget Sound fishing has not changed much since our last report- the fishing is really good- chucking baitfish imitation and little bonefish flies- crazy charlies, etc...has been pretty consistent for cutthroat and the occasional resident coho. Good times.
Thanks for reading. Hope to see you soon at Creekside!

Hugh Pastoriza & Seth Taylor
Creekside Angling Company
1180 NW Gilman Blvd.
Issaquah, WA 98027
425-392-3800

© 2004 Creekside Angling Company All Rights Reserved

© 2005 Creekside Angling Company All Rights Reserved

See Reports from years past: Click Here

For additional or more current information on some of the fishing opportunities here in the Northwest, Please call or e-mail us:

Please visit us in one of our 2 Great Locations:

Issaquah:
1180 N.W. Gilman Boulevard
Issaquah, Wa 98027
425.392.3800
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Seattle:
1308 4th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98112
206.405.3474
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