The Yakima: Water levels continue to drop faster than the Mariners playoff hopes, and will keep falling about 100cfs/day for another week or two as 'they' draw down the levels. Fishing has been somewhat more challenging in that the water clarity has improved dramatically and lighter tippets are required. Small dries hatching during overcast times- blue winged olives, as well as the terrestrials- hoppers, ants, beetles- during midday into the afternoon. Still seeing some evening caddis and the big October Caddis pupae are on the radar. Fish are increasingly consentrated in the larger water as it becomes more scarce....lighten your tippet in slow times to 6x or so, particularly if you're targeting fish feeding on little baetis (BWO's). Hoppers etc are still a great bet, and the lower canyon is officially wadeable from here on out. This is the best time to fish the Yakima, as access is great, flows are predictable, some cooler weather is changing the food supply, and the fish are hungry and competetive. Fish the october caddis pupa during off-hatch times or when your hopper rig isn't producing. Maybe drop a little #18-20 attractor nymph off the bigger fly. Indicators help. Another somewhat less frustrating tactic to head off the BWO insurgency is to swing a little olive soft hackle in the tailouts and riffles, which mimics the Baetis' emergence quite effectively. Fishing tiny nymphs and dries can be akin to turning off the game with a 5-run lead thinking it's in the bag- that is to say, with the softhackle, you needn't worry about 'drag free-ness', and can just cast and swing the fly in the current, allowing it to rise to the surface at the tail end of the swing- which looks a great deal like a bwo nymph making for adulthood.

Puget Sound: The Coho fishing has been epic. Every report has been sparkling- from the beaches to those with floatation- trolling works. Dragging clouser minnows works. Stripping them from the beach works. It's all good, but it won't last forever. Cutthroat are in the mix in good numbers as well. The beach crowds have likewise been epic, so stake out your favorite on an upcoming tide, and be kind to your neighbor. There's enough water for everyone. Sort of. Big, white/charteruse/blue baitfish imitations, clouser minnows and the like are very effective. Intermediate sinking line in shallow water is fine. Lots of 16-18" cutts around, as well as a gaggle of 6-12lb coho to be had. It's all within your reach.

Lakes in Eastern WA are coming back around for another episode...you've still got that shot at the state record Tiger Trout- while reports have been scant, this time of year is typically superb in trophy trout land. Lenice, Nunnally, Merry, potholes...This side of the mountains has some lake fishing to be had, what with the fun-meter pinned at +10 in alpine land. Hike in and leave the crowds behind. If you aren't familiar with the vast array of options to be had on this front, have a look at the Central Cascades Fishing Guide for countless options and insight. Solitude too, is within reach.

Rocky Ford spring creek has been reportedly excellent of late, the weed/algae is waning- weekend crowds are similiar to Picnic Point these days, but if you're willing to cross over and walk the far bank, you can probably find some water for yourself. The fish are there and they're hungry. They like to eat scuds, the smaller cousin to the jumbo prawn you'd eat at skippers, sans deep-fried-batter. Olive, gray, even pink can work. The appeal of Rocky Ford is not only the gargantuan size of fish available, but the employment and challenge of sight fishing tactics to feeding trout. You can stake out the bank and wait for a fish to come by and twitch your fly and watch his eyes light up as he stampedes and inhales your quarry. Then it's game on. Damsel and dragonfly nymphs and adults will continue to be a factor over there, as well as the hopper/ant/beetle game. Tiny dries can also become necessary at times- #18-24 midge emergers and adults, Blue Winged Olives will be hatching there when the sun isn't shining. Bring your 12' 6X! Your selection of Yakima River nymphs can also draw applause at Rocky Ford.

West Side Rivers: Snoqualmie forks are nice and low and clear and continue to produce in fine summer fashion. Smallish attractor patterns work very well in the latter portions of the day, once the sun is off the water. Daytime hours are probably best fished beneath the surface, but maybe trying a smaller hopper or rubber legged stimulator is a solid call.

Steelhead Are thickening in the Snoqualmie and Sky. Dawn and Dusk skaters are bringing fish to the top, and the occasional overcast days are definitely condusive to wrangling a few during the day as well. Floating line is fine- smaller, sparse flies swung in the current are all you need to do. Or, go down and dirty with something big and ugly if the notion strikes you. Either way, this is your year to hook on to a fish.

Sea Run Cutthroat are also becoming more and more of a factor in the Snoqualmie- although they are also available throughout the Snohomish system, as well as the Stillaguamish and beyond if you are inclined to head northerly. Traditional streamers such as the knudsen spider, or the pattern the Legend of Mike Kinney created and popularized, the revered, mysterious, "Reverse Spider". If you dare to afix this pattern of kurmudgen lore to your leader, be prepared to feel the power and majesty associated with it from the outset. Sea run cuttys like to hang out in what we affectionately refer to as 'frog water', meaning areas of the river in which there is very little current, and generally some cover...water which is very common in the Snoqualmie from fall city downstream. Stripping streamers like the spiders, as well as many other streamer patterns can get sea runs on the end of your line. The fish seem to be sensitive to light, so fishing is generally best when the sun is off the water or obscured by clouds. Sometimes the fish get fickle and get tuned into eating only tiny midges on the surface, so if you're serious, bring some Rocky Ford type dries to the game.

Thanks for reading.

Have a nice day.

Hugh Pastoriza
Send me your feedback: hugh@fishcreekside.com