Great advice on the backcast!!! I know to well what it means to have a fly, however, WITHOUT a hook to set it on, because it snapped the tip off the hook on a rock during the backcast. Hilarious, but also extremely angering. LOL!!! You do indeed learn quickly to employ your tactics advised....
I have an experience seared into my memory. Probably 13 or 14 years ago, I had a school of coho in front of me that were the grabbiest fish I've seen. Every cast they would race over to crush the fly. After hooking and jumping several and missing several more bites I checked the fly......to find out there was no hook point on the hook.
I just found this and subscribed. We are going to hopefully bring our boat into the south sound, and I’d love to wet a fly if possible. I’ll be stopping in your shop to have you set me up with flies.
Thanks Blake for the inspiration... I found the spot on Google Earth and verified it was public property via Gaia Topo maps... how do you guys locate new spots?? like i just described ? or another crafty way ?? Looks like you were fishing a ghost bugger.... i thought i saw one just in front of the reel on your tips portion...
The spot I'm standing for a bit of it is actually private property. But my buddy owns the property! Ghost bugger pink/white shop.gigharborflyshop.com/ghost-bugger-size-6.html
I've been looking to gear up for coastal cutthroat fishing and noticed those rio coastal quickshooter lines come in minimum 8wt - do you use an 8wt line with a 6wt rod? Or did they discontinue the 6wt version of the quickshooterline perhaps?
@@Gigharborflyshop Thanks for the reply, that clears things up! I am targeting coastal cutthroat in the PNW, was considering something like an echo carbon 6wt though I'm not sure the action is fast enough based on my quick reads - maybe an orvis clearwater, something good value for money is the ticket! It does seem like a shooting head or a line specific for this type of fishing is what I will need, whatever rod works best with that is what I'm after.
The Echo Carbon is too soft in the tip. If you want something cheap, a Redington Vice is the best budget option. I'd put an outbound short intermediate on it.
Really nice vid. Great teaching skills - simple things that make sense. I'm limited in my fly fishing experience in the Puget Sound salt (despite spending the first 18 of my 64 years of my life fishing off Titlow Beach/Tacoma). I've found the best Coho action in the Sound are where the tides are ripping, and to a certain extent, Coastal Cutts seem to be using the same environment. Do you consider major points that create massive water movement (ie: Pt Defiance, Pt. Fosdick, Pt Roberts etc.) good spots for Cutts during major tide movements? Most literature I've read seem to cite oyster beds as a primary target during tide change (which has rarely proved itself true IMHO.) Thanks for any thoughts you have on the matter.
Cutthroat definitely like current, next to structure. Current gets focused and accelerated around points. They’re an excellent spot to look for cutthroat. Oyster beds are pretty darn good too!
I wear smith’s and have two pairs for the beach. The polarchromatic igniter or chroma pop is great for sun. But for our cloudy overcast days, winter, etc I wear low light igniters. They are still polarized but brighten things up and provide eye protection.
Hey man! I’ll be visiting family late March early April and I’m a big trout guy way down in Nevada, however with no saltwater experience let along experience with the sound. Any tips on where these cuttys will be concentrated around that time and what I should be throwing? Or any other spots in the area I’d be able to hit up for trout, bass, anything really? Just wanna get on some kind of fish while I’m up there. If I find time I may make my way to the shop! Thanks
Hi Kobe, for that time of year, cutthroat fishing can be pretty good. The fish should be feeding on chum fry as well as other stuff like sculpins, shrimp, polychate worms, etc. Check out our website for a bunch of public access spots with descriptions for the spots too. When you're up here we can give you a more up-to-date report as well!
Is there any opportunities to fly fish on Lopez island? I'll be there at the end of March/ early April. I know there are some blackmouths around but I thought they would be too deep to fish from shore. Any help would be much appreciated.
Hello, I haven't fished Lopez Island before. But with that said, I would imagine you'd run into some resident coho from the beach. You actually could get some blackmouth from the beach too, especially first thing in the morning or right before dark. Just throw a chartreuse clouser on an intermediate line. For the rezzies that would also work but you also would probably want to have some krill patterns handy incase they are being selective. shop.gigharborflyshop.com/flies/puget-sound-saltwater/resident-coho-flies/
Hi Ryan! Yes, I would say tides play a major factor for not only sea run cutthroat but also salmon, though not always the same tides. I think the most popular tide to fish is an outgoing. The nice thing about the outgoing tide is that it gives you more beach to fish as it drops. The middle hours of the tide have the most tidal exchange and usually fish best. Now that I primarily kayak fish, the last few years I've been able to fish other tides since I'm not beach-bound and have found good fishing at times I was honestly surprised by. If you're going to fish an incoming tide, I recommend fishing one that has slow or moderate tide exchange and preferably a morning tide.
@@Gigharborflyshop Awesome. Thank you for the reply! Would you fish that same outgoing tide while kayaking? I’ve yet to go out into the sound with my yak. Could be a great video if it doesn’t already exist. (Haven’t made it through your entire library yet).
On our channel's homepage we list out several playlists of videos and we have one just for kayak fishing. I'm exclusively fishing from Hobie pedal drive kayaks and specifically the Hobie Pro Angler 14 360 and Outback 180.
I know a lot of people are intimidated by the saltwater. I think doing a video focused on an introduction to kayak fishing Puget Sound is a great idea, thanks!!
Tom, even though there are cutthroat in the salt all year, there is definitely a seasonality to the run. Late spring through late fall is great. Winter and early spring can be good at times too but definitely aren't as consistent. For tides, I like moving tides. The fish definitely like current.
It depends where, this time of year. With larger rivers, many of the fish will be in the river getting ready for the spawn. In areas where it is primarily small streams (like the Gig Harbor area), the fish congregate around estuaries but for the most part are still in the saltwater. January/February are a couple of the slowest months out of the year to fish for sea runs, but there's still fish out there. Usually I shift to focusing on areas that might also have resident coho so I'm fishing over more potential fish. I like to fish topwater (shop.gigharborflyshop.com/gurgler-topwater-puget-sound-fly-size-6.html) on a floating line this time of year.
Interested in sea run cuts, started fly fishing last summer (2021) on the Snoqualmie and it's forks, but moved to Seattle and am closer to the salt water now. Do you know if there are areas close to downtown Seattle where you can beach fish for cutthroat?
Hi Patrick, there's not a lot close to downtown but I've heard of a few within a reasonable drive. Most people come down this way. I think the fact that every guide from Seattle drives down to our backyard is indicative of the situation.
Hi Brandon, it’s an older video. I think I was using a sage X 697-4 w/ coastal quick shooter. I’ve more recently upgraded my X rods to the new sage R8. Killer rod
@@Gigharborflyshop i know, i crack myself up! ive fished the OP, but not open water for sea run. want to do, will be out there for steelhead on the klick and deschuttes, and couple days on water around seattle. you videos are great and getting me pumped!
They are held by the hatchery in net pens to disrupt their migration. The fish end up sticking around. It’s a fabricated run. But historically there have also been resident kings, coho, and pinks in puget sound.
Another great video but I’m still appalled by your theme of always considering everything a Secret spot! Again, God created the earth and water for everyone and if you are going to share your trips on video, you should, IMO, share all the facts. Your harming the sport by putting people off with your attitude of Greater than Thou, and only you should know where to fish.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm sorry you are appalled by me and I apologize for being so offensive that would result in you posting this comment. I can send you the GPS coordinates if that would make it up to you.
Nice video and photography.Has forest fire activity this summer affected the flyfishing for coastals? How does Puget Sound compare with Olympic park for cut throat on a fly? I am totally unfamiliar but excited about coming to your area for cuts& coho. Looking forward to booking you guys.
Hi Charles, we haven't had any fire activity or smoke here this year. There's no comparison between the Olympic park and Puget Sound for cutthroat. Puget Sound has way more fish and larger fish as well. Plus it is very unique to catch these trout in the saltwater environment! Hope we see you soon!
Check out our online clinic for fly fishing the Puget Sound!
ghfly.shop/SoundClinic
Thanks for always putting some advice in your videos. The quality of your videos is exceptional!
Thanks!
Great, lots of info in this video
I’m glad it was helpful! Thank you!
Another great video, thanks!😀
Thanks Annie!
Great advice on the backcast!!! I know to well what it means to have a fly, however, WITHOUT a hook to set it on, because it snapped the tip off the hook on a rock during the backcast. Hilarious, but also extremely angering. LOL!!! You do indeed learn quickly to employ your tactics advised....
I have an experience seared into my memory. Probably 13 or 14 years ago, I had a school of coho in front of me that were the grabbiest fish I've seen. Every cast they would race over to crush the fly. After hooking and jumping several and missing several more bites I checked the fly......to find out there was no hook point on the hook.
Need to go out and try this out 😁
I just found this and subscribed. We are going to hopefully bring our boat into the south sound, and I’d love to wet a fly if possible. I’ll be stopping in your shop to have you set me up with flies.
We love to hear that! Thanks!
A "secret spot" with a 4 ft wide trail, stairs and a rope. Got it
Glad you found all of the other info helpful. 🙄
Great vid! Looking to try this soon!
Thanks!!
Great vid! I've been wanting to do this for a while, thanks for the simple tips!! I'm in Tacoma.
We’re welcome. Good luck fishing!
Well done--You're getting very good at these video's Blake :-)
Thanks! 😀
Good tips, thanks
You’re welcome! Thanks for checking out our videos!
Awesome where you are...
absoutely!
Thanks Blake for the inspiration... I found the spot on Google Earth and verified it was public property via Gaia Topo maps... how do you guys locate new spots?? like i just described ? or another crafty way ?? Looks like you were fishing a ghost bugger.... i thought i saw one just in front of the reel on your tips portion...
The spot I'm standing for a bit of it is actually private property. But my buddy owns the property!
Ghost bugger pink/white shop.gigharborflyshop.com/ghost-bugger-size-6.html
Perfect, I’m not sure this video missed anything,.......well except secret spot.
ha! right?!
I need to do more beach fishing.
ha! Me too! I'm usually out in a kayak.
Fantastic! Thanks for showing! What flies worked on this day? Pink shrimp pattern? Others?
I was using a pink/white ghost bugger. shop.gigharborflyshop.com/ghost-bugger-size-6.html
Just got up here Saturday. Where should I go on the Sound? Whats the access point I would drive to? Appreciate the recommendations.
Hello, you gotta check this out! gigharborflyshop.com/the-neighborhood/puget-sound/puget-sound-saltwater/
I've been looking to gear up for coastal cutthroat fishing and noticed those rio coastal quickshooter lines come in minimum 8wt - do you use an 8wt line with a 6wt rod? Or did they discontinue the 6wt version of the quickshooterline perhaps?
Hello, they recently discontinued the coastal quick shooter. What rod are you looking to line up?
@@Gigharborflyshop Thanks for the reply, that clears things up! I am targeting coastal cutthroat in the PNW, was considering something like an echo carbon 6wt though I'm not sure the action is fast enough based on my quick reads - maybe an orvis clearwater, something good value for money is the ticket! It does seem like a shooting head or a line specific for this type of fishing is what I will need, whatever rod works best with that is what I'm after.
The Echo Carbon is too soft in the tip. If you want something cheap, a Redington Vice is the best budget option. I'd put an outbound short intermediate on it.
@@Gigharborflyshop Thanks so much for the advice! Really appreciate it. I will check out the Redington Vice.
Really nice vid. Great teaching skills - simple things that make sense. I'm limited in my fly fishing experience in the Puget Sound salt (despite spending the first 18 of my 64 years of my life fishing off Titlow Beach/Tacoma). I've found the best Coho action in the Sound are where the tides are ripping, and to a certain extent, Coastal Cutts seem to be using the same environment. Do you consider major points that create massive water movement (ie: Pt Defiance, Pt. Fosdick, Pt Roberts etc.) good spots for Cutts during major tide movements? Most literature I've read seem to cite oyster beds as a primary target during tide change (which has rarely proved itself true IMHO.) Thanks for any thoughts you have on the matter.
Cutthroat definitely like current, next to structure. Current gets focused and accelerated around points. They’re an excellent spot to look for cutthroat.
Oyster beds are pretty darn good too!
What fly’s are u using?
How far from the shop are you, Blake?
Probably closer by boat than by car!
Gig Harbor Fly Shop Darn, I was trying to get your secret spot...☺️
Me and my wife are just starting out. What type of sunglasses do you recommend for beach fly fishing. Just curious.
I wear smith’s and have two pairs for the beach. The polarchromatic igniter or chroma pop is great for sun. But for our cloudy overcast days, winter, etc I wear low light igniters. They are still polarized but brighten things up and provide eye protection.
I will not ask for your secret, but is this on the island, on the peninsula, or on the mainland?
I'm not sure I've ever beach fished the mainland/east side Sound. I'm always on the peninsula or Hood Canal.
@@Gigharborflyshop Good Answer Blake. Don't give away MY secret spot!
Speedbird to me when some ask if it’s the island I think of Vancouver island right away , is that what you were asking?
That is in gig harbour at point Evans
It actually isn't. Pt Evans is in area 11 and we were down in area 13.
@@Gigharborflyshop ok cool. Thanks
Hey man! I’ll be visiting family late March early April and I’m a big trout guy way down in Nevada, however with no saltwater experience let along experience with the sound. Any tips on where these cuttys will be concentrated around that time and what I should be throwing? Or any other spots in the area I’d be able to hit up for trout, bass, anything really? Just wanna get on some kind of fish while I’m up there. If I find time I may make my way to the shop! Thanks
Hi Kobe, for that time of year, cutthroat fishing can be pretty good. The fish should be feeding on chum fry as well as other stuff like sculpins, shrimp, polychate worms, etc. Check out our website for a bunch of public access spots with descriptions for the spots too. When you're up here we can give you a more up-to-date report as well!
Is there any opportunities to fly fish on Lopez island? I'll be there at the end of March/ early April. I know there are some blackmouths around but I thought they would be too deep to fish from shore. Any help would be much appreciated.
Hello, I haven't fished Lopez Island before. But with that said, I would imagine you'd run into some resident coho from the beach. You actually could get some blackmouth from the beach too, especially first thing in the morning or right before dark. Just throw a chartreuse clouser on an intermediate line. For the rezzies that would also work but you also would probably want to have some krill patterns handy incase they are being selective. shop.gigharborflyshop.com/flies/puget-sound-saltwater/resident-coho-flies/
Do you find tide plays a major factor when going after sea runs? Is there a “best tide” in your opinion?
Hi Ryan! Yes, I would say tides play a major factor for not only sea run cutthroat but also salmon, though not always the same tides. I think the most popular tide to fish is an outgoing. The nice thing about the outgoing tide is that it gives you more beach to fish as it drops. The middle hours of the tide have the most tidal exchange and usually fish best. Now that I primarily kayak fish, the last few years I've been able to fish other tides since I'm not beach-bound and have found good fishing at times I was honestly surprised by. If you're going to fish an incoming tide, I recommend fishing one that has slow or moderate tide exchange and preferably a morning tide.
@@Gigharborflyshop Awesome. Thank you for the reply!
Would you fish that same outgoing tide while kayaking?
I’ve yet to go out into the sound with my yak. Could be a great video if it doesn’t already exist. (Haven’t made it through your entire library yet).
On our channel's homepage we list out several playlists of videos and we have one just for kayak fishing. I'm exclusively fishing from Hobie pedal drive kayaks and specifically the Hobie Pro Angler 14 360 and Outback 180.
I know a lot of people are intimidated by the saltwater. I think doing a video focused on an introduction to kayak fishing Puget Sound is a great idea, thanks!!
For cutthroat, how you found it better to fish certain tides? And what times during the year are best? Thanks!
Tom, even though there are cutthroat in the salt all year, there is definitely a seasonality to the run. Late spring through late fall is great. Winter and early spring can be good at times too but definitely aren't as consistent. For tides, I like moving tides. The fish definitely like current.
@@Gigharborflyshop Thanks! I've just bought a house on Whidbey Island. Trying to figure out where to shore fish there. Any experience on Whidbey?
I haven’t fished Whidbey. Sorry
@@tomfloyd7651 try Ft Ebey State Park and Pt Partridge.
What is the best way to fish searuns at this time of the year (January/February)? Also, would they be on the beaches still, or migrated up the rivers?
It depends where, this time of year. With larger rivers, many of the fish will be in the river getting ready for the spawn. In areas where it is primarily small streams (like the Gig Harbor area), the fish congregate around estuaries but for the most part are still in the saltwater.
January/February are a couple of the slowest months out of the year to fish for sea runs, but there's still fish out there. Usually I shift to focusing on areas that might also have resident coho so I'm fishing over more potential fish. I like to fish topwater (shop.gigharborflyshop.com/gurgler-topwater-puget-sound-fly-size-6.html) on a floating line this time of year.
Interested in sea run cuts, started fly fishing last summer (2021) on the Snoqualmie and it's forks, but moved to Seattle and am closer to the salt water now. Do you know if there are areas close to downtown Seattle where you can beach fish for cutthroat?
Great video BTW
Hi Patrick, there's not a lot close to downtown but I've heard of a few within a reasonable drive. Most people come down this way. I think the fact that every guide from Seattle drives down to our backyard is indicative of the situation.
@@Gigharborflyshop ok, thank you. Maybe I'll venture down that way.
What patterns are you seeing the res coho going after currently
I was using the Pink/White Ghost Bugger. shop.gigharborflyshop.com/ghost-bugger-size-6.html
Can you walkthrough the gear setup?
Hi Brandon, it’s an older video. I think I was using a sage X 697-4 w/ coastal quick shooter. I’ve more recently upgraded my X rods to the new sage R8. Killer rod
Thanks for sharing. Never fly fished a beach before. What flies were you throwing?
I think a white ghost bugger. shop.gigharborflyshop.com/ghost-bugger-size-6.html
very cool, im hooked! (set?)
Ha! I see what you did there! Thanks for checking out our videos.
@@Gigharborflyshop i know, i crack myself up! ive fished the OP, but not open water for sea run. want to do, will be out there for steelhead on the klick and deschuttes, and couple days on water around seattle. you videos are great and getting me pumped!
Kenneth Williams when you’re ready to chase them in the salt, let us know if you have any questions.
Im going have to question the "resident coho" idea...salmon are transitory...kokanee...resident status for sure but all others are migatory
They are held by the hatchery in net pens to disrupt their migration. The fish end up sticking around. It’s a fabricated run. But historically there have also been resident kings, coho, and pinks in puget sound.
Secret spot? No eat fish?
Yup, secret spot. I release most fish I land.
Another great video but I’m still appalled by your theme of always considering everything a Secret spot! Again, God created the earth and water for everyone and if you are going to share your trips on video, you should, IMO, share all the facts.
Your harming the sport by putting people off with your attitude of Greater than Thou, and only you should know where to fish.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm sorry you are appalled by me and I apologize for being so offensive that would result in you posting this comment. I can send you the GPS coordinates if that would make it up to you.
Nice video and photography.Has forest fire activity this summer affected the flyfishing for coastals? How does Puget Sound compare with Olympic park for cut throat on a fly? I am totally unfamiliar but excited about coming to your area for cuts& coho.
Looking forward to booking you guys.
Hi Charles, we haven't had any fire activity or smoke here this year. There's no comparison between the Olympic park and Puget Sound for cutthroat. Puget Sound has way more fish and larger fish as well. Plus it is very unique to catch these trout in the saltwater environment! Hope we see you soon!