One of Washington's premier fly fishing-only lakes, Chopaka Lake offers anglers exciting fishing in a beautiful setting. Recommended Fly Patterns for the Sauk River, Washington: The Skagit is a river in southwestern British Columbia, Canada, and northwestern Washington, United States, with a length of about 150 miles (240 kilometers). Center: 48.438173, -117.192565 Recommended Fly Patterns for the Bogachiel River, Washington: The Calawah River is a 31-mile (50 km) tributary of the Bogachiel River in southwestern Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula. This makes it one of the most productive waters in the area. For a totally different experience, there is the Northern Coast of Washington. The Hoh River is divided into three section. There are two campgrounds located on the lake, one owned by DNR and one owned by BLM. The steelhead runs in the winter and summer, as well as a late Fall run of cutthroat trout from the sea, making this an ideal location for fishermen. Hi David Humphries Owner of Guide Recommended. To help anglers get ready for a great season of trout fishing we are hosting a day of lake fishing education (presentations, fly tying, seminar), casting competition, and more. Your email address will not be published. Reports this year from the Yakima have beenfantastic and we've never seen so many photos of big trout from the Yak. Copyright 2023 Pacific Fly Fishers. Fishing, Camping, and Weddings - Eastern Washington - 3 Lakes Fly Fishing Mar 7, 2014 Dusty has some nice drop offs so you could fish chronies under a bobber in some places. A Washington mountain lake that is fly fishing only and offers a cozy campground for late afternoon naps between hatches. Stop by the fly shop in Ellensburg - right off the exit, and see what they would suggest. Who wants to be putting lead into the lakes anyhow. This water is catch-and-release and fly-fishing only. Spend all day exploring deep underground in this 2.5 mile cave.To get there, head to the SOUTH side of Mount Saint Helens. Bring your friends, family, or come by yourself. Best Trout Fly Fishing in Washington (Maps, Shops, Guides and Flies for High lakes | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Wading is illegal on Rocky Ford so walking along the edge of the bank is how it's done. Elevation: 1067 ft. Visit ourLife Outdoors web page. Go to the Washington Department of Fishing and Wildlife , If youre looking for fishing reports the state of Washington also maintains this fishing reports page . Youll want to consider your options ahead of booking your trip. That is found in the Yakima Canyon. The rock bottom river, at this point, is much more accessible, and can even be reached by road at some points. However, although it is full of great fishing opportunities, it also creates challenges. Seasonal lowland lakes in Western Washington open April 26th. During these times, youll find that nymphing with dapping tactics can be very effective. It has steep pockets of water ideal for camping and large open spaces that are begging to fly. Fishing the fastest sinking lines on the market is important because you will need to fish 20- to 40-feet deep and close to the bottom. The trout are taking full advantage of these food items and the fishing can be as good as it gets. This small tributary of the main river is near the National Park and it gets considerably less fishing pressure than the other sections. Elevation: 1067 ft. The North and South forks of the Skykomish form the Snoqualmie River in Monroe. That means there are typically salmon in the river any month of the year. Though its a tributary of the Skagit River, the Sauk is one of the best wild steelhead fisheries in the country by its own right. adventures and follow local regulations. Keep in mind that even though it wont be cold, this area can see a lot of rain, so youll want to pack accordingly. Some other good ideas on the westside of WA would be Chain Lake (near Monroe, WA), Martha Lake (near Warm Beach, WA), Rattlesnake Lake (near North Bend, WA), Vogler Lake (near Concrete, WA), and lots more. This route is heavily favored over Worm Flows as the starting elevation is not only an additional 1,000 feet higher but the overall ascent is less steep and long as well.Beginning at Climber's Bivouac (northeast of Ape Caves approx. The state is also one that experiences variances in the temperature throughout the year, which changes up how and where you should fish. The Skagit River is different from most northwestern streams in that its winter steelhead migration arrives later than usual. Surrounded by old growth forest, Merrill Lake near Cougar, Washington is the perfect little gem to get in some late summer, mid-elevation mountain lake fishing. I concentrate mostly on a few selective fishery and fly fishing only lakes that produce well including: Cady Lake, Lone Lake, Pass Lake , and Lake Shoecraft. Tom Glacier. Abrams Creek is a beautiful stream located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, known for its clear water and abundance of trout. Bull trout can be found here, but because they are a protected species youll need to release them after catching them. Try Manchester State Park, Olalla, or Penrose Point State Park for good cutthroat water. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, the river begins at the Hoh Glacier on the towering Mount Olympus. The watershed of the 1,890-square-mile (4,900 km2) river drains the eastern North Cascades. Seattle Pride Parade features naked men on bikes at 'all ages This river is a top spot for fishing enthusiasts from Washington and Oregon due to its impressive steelhead salmon yields - it often ranks among the state's top 10 producers! The Middle is a fast flowing torrent littered with giant rocks and rapids. Watson Lake This small bank fishing only lakes off the Tucannon River is located within the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wooten Wildlife Area. Check the end of this page for links to our favorite guides. If youre going to drift the Calawah, hire a guide. Washington has some confusing types and pole limits. Two of the Cowlitz River's main tributaries are the Toutle and Cispus Rivers. Even with the new non lead products on the market, they will never lift that weight bann. DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in Washington State Fly Fishing Only Lakes. You will come to June lake at this point. Some important gear you need for fly fishing in Washington includes a good pair of waders. Fly-fishing only, all motors are prohibited. The glacier's meltwater flows north, then curves west around the mountain's north side. Washington's fresh waters are a great place to catch rainbow, steelhead, chinook salmon, brown trout, and more. This is a very difficult hike. The early mornings starting at 5am, the lake is calm and perfect to take the kayak or canoe out(Non-motor boats only) and head toward the north shore for hungry trout. As a result, the majority of the fishing is done sub-surface. Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet for Fly Fishing Only lakes in regard to motor prohibitions: Westside Lakes: CADY LAKE (Mason Co.) - Internal combustion motors prohibited. So what's the rational for not allowing you to weight the line to get the fly deeper? This lake is well stocked with 10-12 inch rainbow trout, plus some jumbo (14 inch plus) rainbows. June 10-11, 2023. Here you can take advantage of the coho and chinook that are passing through on their way north. It is about 75 miles long and begins as the Little Naches River. The Middle Fork, which is also referred to as Tom and Glacier Creeks, is the next section downstream. It offers many fly fishing opportunities and stunning scenery, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. One of three lakes beneath Washington's ever rumbling Mount St Helens, Yale offers the outdoor lover just about everything they could ask for: calm waters, forested banks, views of world famous volcanoesthe list goes on and on and on.Now to begin t As if erupting volcanoes weren't awesome enough, ancient lava flows also left behind these giant, hollow tubes as they cooled. The morning and evening hatches are known state wide for the size of fish they attract. Vogler Lake | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife The river and its tributaries drain 1.7 million acres of the Cascade Range along the northern edge of Puget Sound and enter the sound. The beautiful state of Washington is inundated with fly fishing rivers, streams, and lakes. A USFS campground and boat launch is present. We've had good returns of Chinook lately and already seeing some indications of good returns for this year. How Much is a Fishing License in Washington. Not letting us use weight just makes it that much harder. The river is also big and wide, so fishing it from the shore can be challenging even after you do find access. Fishing on the Spokane all depends on water levels and in this area, that means it depends on the snowmelt. Fly fishing for these warmwater species is underrated and is available all over the state. The lower Klickitat is also a good spot for fall salmon fishing, with Chinook present in good numbers in September and October, and coho catches generally best in October and November. With that said, I would concentrate on buggers, leeches & Hale Bopps. Also, since the Yakima is basically a tail water fishery, the Washington Department of Fish and Game can carefully maintain the habitat. The river is unique in the area because it isnt fed by a glacier and it doesnt have a major runoff period. Fly fishing only for this lake Shoreline access: None - Public access is provided through Cady Lake Bed and Breakfast. Of course, before heading out on your fly fishing adventure you will want to do a bit of advance planning to make the most of your trip. Then you have the South Fork, which is supplied with water from the runoff of Humes Glacier. Fly Fishing Western Washington Lakes - Gig Harbor Fly Shop Mothers Day Caddis around the month of May. To assist in maintaining steelhead runs on the river, the season for fishing may vary. The most common species in the state are steelhead, sockeye, coho and chinook salmon, and the major trout species. The Skagit River is one of the biggest salmon and steelhead fisheries in the state. Guide to the best Washington fly fishing for trout, steelhead and salmon. DIY Fly Fishing may receive a commission for purchases made through links in this article, at no additional cost to you. The Hoh river also has an awesome Silver Salmon run. A Washington mountain lake that is fly fishing only and offers a cozy campground for late afternoon naps between hatches. With hatchery raised steelhead entering the river in December and the monster, wild fish waiting until March and April, the Skagit River is notably different from other Pacific Norwest Steelhead fisheries in that the season goes much later. If youre going to wade fish the Calawah, youll want to focus on the areas around Bogachiel ponds and the Tall Timbers access points. Nearly all of these lakes are best fished from a float tube, pontoon boat, or some other kind of small boat. 13 Best Places to Fly Fish in Washington State: Maps Included Fishing is 10% brains, 95% muscle and the rest is all luck! In July, fish typically enter the river and stay until the end of January; however, fishing generally shuts down near the end of September. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Fly Fishing Western Washington Lakes - April 19 10am-5pm Winston and Echo Fly Rod Demos - Come [] Lenice Lake - Fly Fisherman Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Recreate Responsibly to keep your trips outdoors safe and fun. Heres a FREE download Washington Fishing Regulations. This thread is almost four years old. But, if you plan on fishing the winter run for steelies, be sure you dress for fiercely cold, miserable conditions. You can always drive, travel by boat, take a bus, take a train (Amtrak has east-west and north-south options), or take a plane.