Out of town help

[JeffW-CA]

I’m from out of state, but will be working in the Seattle area near the UW campus for the next couple of months. I’m looking for a nearby beach that I can fish for 1-2 hrs before or after work (weekdays only). Can anyone recommend a spot? I've done my share of beach/surf fishing with a fly rod, but not here and not for salmon.

I took a trip to Golden Gardens earlier in the week at sunset, but there were too many people there to break-out the flyrod. I assume there won’t be crowds like that at 6am, but will I find salmon there? I understand that this is the time of the year you find them.

Thanks for your help,
JW

[Stonefish]

Jrff,
Try Lincoln Park.
Good Luck,
Brian

[ibn]

If you're willing to take about a 45 min drive, check out the narrows down in tacoma, directly below the narrows bridge. There are pink salmon showing all throughout the sound, check out a map, look for some public beaches and explore. I might also suggest searching the forum for beach names for previous reports, you can probably get some ideas from there.

[miyawaki]

On a nice day in the evening, most if not all, public parks will be full of the public. Go very early and/or fish the evenings when the weather is awful. IBN is correct about the Narrows - also most of the people will flyfishers. Golden Gardens and Lincoln should be getting good soon.

Good luck,
Leland.

[Benn]

Don't expect any serene peaceful experience at any park in the Seattle area after work. I was out at Carkeek this evening right before high tide and I had to keep stopping and asking folks not to stand right behind me as they walked down the watch the sunset. This is less of an problem at low tides since most folks don't wander down as far to the water's edge.

For GG in the evening, park as far north as you can and then just head west. The beach is less populated by beachgoers than the southern end of the park. Fish the western facing beach, not up around the point since this is just a big mudflat. GG is OK in the AM too. It is much less crowded by beachgoers, but there will be more fishermen although they are usally a friendly bunch.

I'll also second Lincoln Park in the evening as folks keep the trail and don't walk down the riprap to the beach, although getting from the U district to West Seattle in the evening will not be fun. Same with the Narrows or points south in the evening. Beaches north will be easier and faster to get to in the evenings...Richmond beach and some of the other south Sno Co beaches. Get a gazetteer and do some scouting in advance.