September Fishing Report
Yakima River:
The flip-flop on the Yakima is here, the river is low, and wading opportunities couldn't be better! Throughout the entire system there is ample water to access on foot, providing opportunity for anyone to get out and throw dry flies for trout still! Walking the Yakima during the cooler sunny days on the eastside of the Cascades during fall is a great way to spend a day. Now through October is our favorite time of year there!
Dry fly fishing will be productive, with many bugs hatching including Craneflies, Summer (Short-wing) Stoneflies, October Caddis, and BWO's beginning to make an appearance on cloudier days. While mornings and evenings will generally be better times for dry fly fishing, nymphing and throwing streamers will suffice during sunny daytime hours. With the lower flows, the fish have moved form their primarily bank bound lies to more typical "trout" water. This will include defined seamlines especially inside seams, drop-offs or buckets, and troughs with ample structure. Don't be afraid to fish shallower drop offs with your dries and nymphs! Some good flies to consider for dries; #10 Craneflies, #8 Morrish October Caddis, #8 Rio Skater Tot, #6-8 Bighair October Caddis, #10 Gypsey King and if its cloudy, #16-18 Parachute Adams and Sparkle Flag BWO. For nymphs; #8-10 Cranefly Larva, #6-10 Pat's Stonefly and TJ Hookers, as well as BWO nymphs such as Psycho Mayfly, Solitude TJ Baetis, and TJ CDC Pheasant Tail all in #16-18. If you enjoy throwing streamers, fall can be a wonderful time to catch fish on the tight line! Sculpin flies such as the Sculpzilla and Near Nuff Sculpin are shop favorites, though baitfish patterns such as the Dolly Llama and Rio's Sir-Sticks-Alot are great options to target larger fish getting ready for winter. Don't hesitate to explore the Yakima as fishing can be quite enjoyable this time of year!
Puget Sound Streams:
We will see a highly anticipated re-opening of the Snohomish River and some tributaries this coming Saturday, September 21st! With reports of Coho arriving on other local systems such as the lower Green/Duwamish, the Snohomish will give opportunity to chase after salmon locally. Egg-Sucking Leeches, Dolly Llama's, Clouser Minnows, and Flash Flies are all good choices to entice salmon. We have a large assortment of flies to target these fish, so don't hesitate to stop in and replenish any holes in your fly box!
The Snoqualmie Forks will continue to fish well for trout into October, so long as the rivers don't see a stark increase in flows or prolonged cold temperatures. While dry fly fishing will progressively slow, fishing subsurface can aid in success, either with nymphs or streamers. General attractor dry flies will entice willing fish, though we should begin to see BWO's pop up on cloudier days as well. Nymphing smaller stonefly patterns with a BWO trailing should attract trout and provide the most success. Otherwise smaller sculpins and Wooley Buggers can be fished on a tight line in deeper pools and runs as well!
Lakes:
Many lowland lakes are beginning to cool and provide better fishing conditions for trout, as well as Eastern Washington lakes! Either trolling flies or fishing chironomids/leeches under an indicator are techniques to consider. If the lake houses Brown/Tiger trout, don't be afraid to employ baitfish as these species of trout tend to be more carnivorous.
Warmwater species will progressively recede to deeper water as it cools, so plan accordingly! While these fish can still be targeted, they will be increasingly more difficult to encounter. Mainly baitfish and crayfish patterns to target bass still. Fall can be a spectacular time to target trout in lakes, especially the Eastside lakes!
Alpine lakes are still an option with good weather, but be aware of conditions prior to embarking on your adventure! When the snow starts falling in the Alpine, it is generally a good time to stay in the lowlands. Leeches/Buggers, terrestrials, gnats, and mosquitos all on the menu while the weather permits!
Saltwater:
The Puget Sound has been fishing well for Cutthroat and resident Coho! We have had many reports of people encountering Coho, especially in the south sound. While the fish will generally be around creek and river estuaries, many beaches with sufficient habitat in the North and South Sound will harbor fish, so don't be too picky which one you land on. Besides finding structure such as rocks, oyster beds, and points, ensure you are on the lookout for moving water when fishing the sound, which will be present during moving tides. Most importantly, if the current beach is devoid of life change your location to another local beach. Some of our favorite flies are smaller baitfish patterns such as Clouser Minnows, otherwise Euphasiid's, Sand Eel's and Sculpins are all good flies to tie on and cast to the cruising Cutties!
Steelhead:
We are still seeing decent numbers of fish returning over Bonneville Dam, while not ideal numbers they are in excess of years past. The Steelhead fishing on the Eastside has been solid as of late. With much cooler overnight temperatures the numbers of fish returning to their natal streams has been good! We have had numerous reports from the Klickitat River, where fish have been caught both swinging and nymphing. The Grande Ronde will be another place to consider, where you can have greater success on a swung fly generally, and even a chance at a skated fish!
