Our Fish

When I say our fish, it is not in an ownership or possessive sense, it is as a guide, steward and conservation-minded, outdoor, flyfishing, fish-loving nut. I feel it is our obligation and responsibility to show you a great experience with a “leave no trace” ethic towards the whole of this magnificent resource. Barbless hooks and appropriate catch and release methods are always employed.

There are a diverse variety of species here in Washington with remarkable life histories. You’ll find salmon, steelhead and bull trout as your quarry in our rivers depending on the time of the year.

These are anadromous fish meaning they are born in the gravel of our river beds, traveling to the ocean to mature. These fish will see thousands of miles of ocean as they grow to maturity. Anadromous fish typically return (most of the time) to their natal river, stream or creek to spawn after 1-4 years at sea. The physiological changes these fish endure to move from the freshwater to saltwater to freshwater is amazing. It would almost be like me or you going to Mars to live for a few years.

Anadromous Fish

Steelhead are a Sea-Run Rainbow Trout. There is much lore, history and excitement when it comes to these sometimes elusive fish. There are two versions of Steelhead, summer and winter. These fish typically spend 1-3 years rearing in a freshwater habitat followed by a life at sea. Steelhead typically spend 1-3 years in the ocean prior to returning to spawn. It all gets pretty complicated because there are a huge number of variables. Whole books have been written about these crazy critters. Suffice it to say, they are truly beautiful and a lot of fun to catch.

There are Salmon to chase as well. You’ll find Coho in the fall and Chum in just b ehind them. In odd numbered years, Pink Salmon are present as well, arriving typically in August.

Dolly Varden/Bull Trout…Hah! Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lists them this way in their regulations. There has been many a campfire discussion regarding whether they’re Dollies or Bull Trout. It is actually a species of fish called a Char regardless of all the heated discussions. Biologists tell me that the only way to truly tell the difference is by genetic testing. There are resident and sea-run populations. Any way you look at it Dolly Varden/Bull Trout are pretty cool fish. They readily accept a fly and can reach upwards of 10 pounds.

Sea-run Coastal Cutthroat Trout or SRC’s are great fish. They are found in the rivers at some times of the year and near shore at others, usually not too terrible far from their natal stream.

Creeks and Streams

Washington has some truly beautiful small streams. There are an abundantly pleasant variety of fish in these streams consisting of rainbow trout, brook trout, coastal cutthroat trout and westslope cutthroat depending on where we’re fishing. These are usually smaller fish with a 16” fish being a really nice fish. We fish accordingly with 2-4 wt. rod. We really like these fish…a lot. They feed voraciously and will typically take a dry fly, even when it is not expertly presented. This type of fishing is a blast.

Pictures

Coho