June 26, 2008

Fishing Report -- 6/26/2008

Lakes

Nearly all of the reports we're hearing from various lakes have been very good. Lone Lake, Pass Lake, Lenice, Dry Falls have all provided good reports lately. Even Lake Union provided some fast action on smallmouth bass for Ben last night!
This time of year is prime time for fishing damsel nymphs and weedy lakes like Lone Lake and Lenice/Nunnally are sure to have lots of them that will have the trout in a frenzy.
Full sinking lines and leech patterns also become more important this time of year and the right line can make all the difference in the world. If you don't have experience with it, take a type IV full-sinking line to Pass Lake right now and strip a Mohair Leech, Ruby Eye Leech or Simi Seal Leech along the bottom for some great fishing right now.

Yakima River

The Yakima is running at about 2900 cfs right now at Umtanum and has been at a lower than normal, very manageable level lately. That may change if the weather does get as warm as the forecasts are saying for this weekend. Fishing has been good and, from what I've been hearing, the angling pressure has been down. Watch out for the flows to dramatically increase, however. If the flows increase quickly, the fishing will usually slow down for a few days afterwards. If you go, most of the fishing is nymphing right now with patterns like Pat's Rubber Legs, Lightning Bugs, Hot Wire Caddis but I would be prepared with some big, attractor dries as well as some PMD dries and caddis dries in the hope of hitting a good hatch.

Steelhead

The steelheading on the Skykomish has been exceptional all throughout the month of June despite many anglers thinking it is too high. The flows have been on the high side all month since the opener but the water color has been perfect most of the month and fly anglers are catching fish. Go now before the river drops and clears and those fish head for cover.
We haven't had too many reports on the Stillaguamish but right around now is when it traditionally becomes interesting. July is usually a prime month to be on the NF Stilly so warm up that casting arm and go hit it.

Sea-Run Cutthroat

Ben Zander, Sound Fly Fishing guide services, had some clients out on the sound two days ago and they found lots of nice sea-run cutthroat, a couple salmon, and a handful of other fish. From Ben's reports and those of some other anglers, it sounds like the beaches are doing quite well right now, and we're getting quite a few comments about how much bait seems to be in the sound right now... so let's hope that is a good sign for the fish AND fishing. Right now through September is the prime time of the year so take a warm summer evening or morning and hit the beach.