[Guest]

I am not a salt water fisherman. I have a thought ( however insane it may be ) to do some Salt fly fishing this year. I have NO idea where to go or what to start targeting. So ANY advice for a noob would be a huge help. I saw some pics of some dolly's caught in the salt - where were they and what are reccomended fly patterns for salt? Do you target trout/salmon/dolly's or do you flounder fish or do you just stand there and look at the water with a dumb expression till inspiration hit. Like I said I am REALLY new to the salt game - - as in NEVER fished in the salt with a fly rod. Please help

 

[Steve Saville]

I'm a South end kind of guy; don't know much about the Northern part of the Sound but it seems to me that there should be plenty of information through the search function on this site. Start with the basics by taking a salt water beach class. Most fly shops have them from time to time. They also give you a boatload of information on flies, equipment, and places to start.

 

[Mumbles]

A good map will show you areas where points cause current seams in the water as the tides push. Places nearby freshwater outpourings could also be of interest. That same map that shows the points should also show waterfront parks. Lots of us start our saltwater fishing adventures there. Steve already recommended the search function or just browse the saltwater forum reading any and all posts that you can. I have found that having floating and intermediate lines with me makes my fishing experience more rewarding. If you get to a beach and see seams or disturbances in the water, fish that area. Many of the fish that I've stumbled upon have been pretty close to the beach so you don't need to be waist deep right away, rather start casting while still dry and cast a full arc around you to cover the water. If you see fish signs, baitfish bubbling, topwater activity or such, you are probably in a good place. If you don't see any activity and after a short while of casting, 15 to 20 minutes of active fishing perhaps, you may wish to relocate up or down the beach you are on or go find another potentially fishy spot. Tides matter. Preferential tides vary from place to place and angler to angler. There is a lot to it, but really nothing more to it than getting out and getting after it (and track things like weather, tides, what you used, saw, etc. so that you can learn from every outing). Steve mentioned the search function already (yes I repeated that on purpose). When you use the search function look for posts by people who fish the salt water a bunch...Miyawaki, Preston, Roger, Stonefish, Bob, Kelvin, Larry...and on and on. Don't go by what I've said here, just know that I've learned a bunch from doing some of these things and I've learned EXPONENTIALLY more by reading things that these fine folks do and share. A few years back, before I had ever shook his hand or started fishing with a fly rod in freshwater (I had been fishing a fly rod from the beach for a year or two) I watched Stonefish cast for about an hour amazed at the water he could reach, cover and fish he'd catch. Enjoy the adventures and keep us posted on how things go. Those of us that don't get out much like to read reports from those of you who can.

 

[Preston]

Some fish (trout, salmon, etc.) can be found almost anywhere you can find access to a Puget Sound beach. Get a good map or two and look for parks and other public areas. Baitfish patterns are the lure of choice through much of the year though amphipod and euphausiid patterns are effective during the winter months. Attractor patterns like Ferguson's Green and Silver or Mike Kinney's Reverse Spider can sometimes work well at any time of the year. Fishing from the beach rarely requires anything faster sinking than an intermediate line and, of course if you are fishing a floating pattern (like the Miyawaki Beach Popper), a floater is de rigeur.

Most beach anglers agree that good tidal movement and alongshore currents are essential to good fishing, where points and other terrain features concentrate bait. Whether incoming or outgoing (or both) tides fish best seems to depend on the characteristics of the individual beaches and only experience can tell you which. Do a search on this site and I'm sure you'll find enough information to keep you busy for a while and pertinent sections of such books as Fly-Fishing Coastal Cutthroat Trout by Les Johnson and Fly Fishing For Pacific Salmon by Johnson, Ferguson and Trotter will provide even more.

 

[13223]

Repeating the info here: look at beach parks with the name "Point" on them and look for feeder streams. This is where I started fishing for SRC and found my first success. My first 4 outings provided nothing but casting practice and entertainment for those watching. Then one day I went out and landed 4 SRC and 2 Resident Coho in about an hour. I was so surprised I could hardly believe I was actually catching fish. I have since returned to that location and had good days and days where there are no signs of fish what so ever. I'm starting to understand what conditions are typical for good fishing at a few locations and that gives me some comfort.

There is a lot of food-fish in our beaches and many things eat them. So you never know what you'll catch.

If you have a 12 foot boat or larger with an outboard your options open up quite a bit. With that so does the time invested for you outing. I do both depending on the amount of time I have and how serious I feel like getting.

Like the others have said, get a map, fill you gas tank, back a lunch and rain coat, and go fishing. There was a post on here recently about access on Private Beaches. Might be worth browsing this thread before you wander off the public beach. At least you'll have some understanding on the subject.

 

[Wormonhook]

A year ago I had never fly fished the saltwater. Hell, I had only fly fished once in maybe thirty years. I heard there was good fishing available on the beaches so I bought Les Johnson's book on fishing for coastal cutthroat trout. Then I enrolled in a salt water fishing class (Orvis, Avid Angler, and Gig Harbor Fly offer these classes, maybe others, too). I put a tank of gas in the truck, got a couple of maps, and headed out with my digital camera. I started checking beaches a low tide on minus tides and looked for habitat identified by the fishing class instructors and by Les Johnson in his book. I photographed beaches from Edmonds to Olympia. I put another tank of gas in the truck and looked for more beaches. Then I found this forum and started using the "search function". I shopped in every fly shop within 50 miles of Seattle and at each one I purchased flies or leaders or something. At each shop someone gave me some pointers. No one said "Fish here, or fish there." They told me what they are telling you and it works. Invest in the fishing class and start there. You won't waste your money. The search for good fishing beaches is a real blast, kind of like a treasure hunt. If you run into fly fisherpersons on the beach, chat them up. I haven't run into anyone who wasn't real helpful in giving me more pointers. Here again, though, they did not say "fish here or fish there". They said to keep doing what I was doing and I'd find more fishing than I could cover in three days. And they were right. I've been catching SRC's for almost a year now but am just past the "beginner'' stage. I've caught several big SRC's, lost a lot more along with many smaller fish. It's all there waiting for you but you're going to have to do the work. Best wishes and good luck. Enjoy the process.

 

[Roger Stephens]

Karl:

Wow!!! Great post packed with good information:thumb:

Roger

 

[dryflylarry]

Nice input Karl. That's a perfect description of what to do. Good job!

 

[Guest]

Thank you all for your input. It may - no will take several months to digest and experiment with all this info, but I did already buy a map and I'm marking spots and going on a hunt and peck look . I also bought a tide book but someone told me I was wasting my money. My main problem is I tend to approach all water with my bass fishin glasses on ( years of it). But some things run true. depth change, moving water and cover. And please forgive my huge ignorance here but what the hell is a SRC? lol.....I warned ya'll I'm a noob..... Oh and one more thing - Do I need to invest in a salt only reel and line or just clean my same lines between salt/fresh runs?

 

[Richard E]

A year ago I had never fly fished the saltwater. Hell, I had only fly fished once in maybe thirty years. I heard there was good fishing available on the beaches so I bought Les Johnson's book on fishing for coastal cutthroat trout. Then I enrolled in a salt water fishing class (Orvis, Avid Angler, and Gig Harbor Fly offer these classes, maybe others, too). I put a tank of gas in the truck, got a couple of maps, and headed out with my digital camera. I started checking beaches a low tide on minus tides and looked for habitat identified by the fishing class instructors and by Les Johnson in his book. I photographed beaches from Edmonds to Olympia. I put another tank of gas in the truck and looked for more beaches. Then I found this forum and started using the "search function". I shopped in every fly shop within 50 miles of Seattle and at each one I purchased flies or leaders or something. At each shop someone gave me some pointers. No one said "Fish here, or fish there." They told me what they are telling you and it works. Invest in the fishing class and start there. You won't waste your money. The search for good fishing beaches is a real blast, kind of like a treasure hunt. If you run into fly fisherpersons on the beach, chat them up. I haven't run into anyone who wasn't real helpful in giving me more pointers. Here again, though, they did not say "fish here or fish there". They said to keep doing what I was doing and I'd find more fishing than I could cover in three days. And they were right. I've been catching SRC's for almost a year now but am just past the "beginner'' stage. I've caught several big SRC's, lost a lot more along with many smaller fish. It's all there waiting for you but you're going to have to do the work. Best wishes and good luck. Enjoy the process.

My vote for Post of the Year! Should copy this for future similar postings . . .

 

[Richard E]

I also bought a tide book but someone told me I was wasting my money. My main problem is I tend to approach all water with my bass fishin glasses on ( years of it). But some things run true. depth change, moving water and cover. And please forgive my huge ignorance here but what the hell is a SRC? lol.....I warned ya'll I'm a noob..... Oh and one more thing - Do I need to invest in a salt only reel and line or just clean my same lines between salt/fresh runs?

SRC - searun cutt. Saves some typing time. Heck, I'd never heard of it, either, before a few years ago and on this site. It ain't just necessarily a 'noob' thing. We're all noobs at one time or another.

Whomever told you a tide book is a waste of time; I would be wary of future advice from this person. Tide knowledge and when/where to fish related to specific tides is part and parcel of beach fishing . . .

What reel do you have? Lines? While nice to have a salt only reel and salt only line (which I would encourage), not all persons can afford it or make that financial commitment, and many reels can be used in salt if the fly fisher makes certain to thoroughly rinse and clean it/them after use. There have been a whole lot of great saltwater fish caught by fly fishers using Pflueger Medalist reels . . .

 

[Guest]

As far as rods and reels I'm a little thin. I have a pair of 7/8 fly rods. One has a 7/8 reel with floating line. one has a7/8 reel with a sink tip line. My other rod/reel is a 5/6 with floating line. I don't have anything heavier. I am going to buy a new rod and reel this summer. As far as brands go i have 2 Okuma reels and a Fenwick ( if that makes a huge difference?). The plan is to buy an Orvis reel this summer and to build a new rod. Do I need to get a 10 weight for salt or can I use my 7/8 for salt?

 

[Ralphie]

Great thread. I'm also an experienced river/ lake flyfisher, but a newbie salt flysisher. I've learned a lot from these guys on the board... (even if they don't know it) SRC's are a lot of fun and not that difficult to catch if you find the right beach. Denny is correct "SRC" = Sea Run Cuttrhroat. Not to be confused with with my son - Sea Run Ralphie.

 

[Wormonhook]

Newflyandy: glad to hear you're serious about the salt. I went out for a few hours in the south Sound area today. I had four "takes" , they weren't "strikes", very subtle. Hooked one fish for just a moment (felt like a good one). Not sure why the soft "takes", not my experience with SRC's. Usually they slam the fly. I was throwing a smallish Shock and Awe in drab brown and green. Anyway, the weather was beautiful, water was calm to start, and it was great to be out.

What I did get today was to see some beautiful common loons, and a bunch of eared grebes. The males that were really decked out in their breeding colors (I had never seen that before). I also had a flock of harlequin ducks (two drakes, three hens) almost land at the end of my rod. These birds are especially beautiful, very dramatic. I can't figure out why they would fly literally in my face. I was standing out in the open in about two feet of water. There were also cormorants, buffleheads, goldeneyes, a huge flock of migrating shore birds I couldn't ID, and some surf scoters. I heard a bald eagle and an osprey. Great day on the water.

I did not see another angler. Actually I only saw two other people and they didn't have fishing on their minds. The guy had his breeding colors on but the girl didn't seem to be interested...

Buy Les Johnson's book on coastal cutthroat trout. Lots of biological info (life history, etc) along with habitat, gear and technique. A good birding book is also helpful if you're so inclined.

As for rods, you can get a good discussion going on whether floating line is better than intermediate sinking. Also, I think most people use either 5wt or 6wt for most beach fishing. There are some real pros on this forum who know their stuff about rods and lines.

 

[billkendrick831]

I have to second the recommendation for Les Johnsons book and a book called The Estuary flyfisher I think it is called.Without giving any secret spots, being from Lake Stevens you're 20 minutes from good saltwater from a boat or casting from shore.

 

[colton rogers]

hit up a local fly shop. and a gazetteer will be one of your best friends!

 

[Mumbles]

As far as rods and reels I'm a little thin. I have a pair of 7/8 fly rods. One has a 7/8 reel with floating line. one has a7/8 reel with a sink tip line. My other rod/reel is a 5/6 with floating line. I don't have anything heavier. I am going to buy a new rod and reel this summer. As far as brands go i have 2 Okuma reels and a Fenwick ( if that makes a huge difference?). The plan is to buy an Orvis reel this summer and to build a new rod. Do I need to get a 10 weight for salt or can I use my 7/8 for salt?

For Sea Run Cutthroat Trout your 5/6 should do you just fine. You can use the floater and some creative leader lengths and fly weights to fish the surface to a bit below the surface. Resident Coho should be fine on your 5/6 also but once you get around some of the larger ocean returning coho you might prefer that 7/8 setup. Fish what you've got and give it hell. You'll soon find out what you like, what you don't like, what you may need and where you get that fishy feeling. Enjoy the journey. Best of luck.

 

[Guest]

I did some research and talked to a few friends in the rod biz. They told me to get a 7 weight - ultra fast. Mostly because of the wind factor. So I am planning on building a salt only rod. Plus it's nice to be able to build your own.

 

[hendersonbaylocal]

A 7 weight could be a good all around rod - especially if you fish for ocean run salmon. If you don't, it's probably overkill. I rarely fish with anything heavier than a 6 weight, but it's all personal preference. I'll fish with my Sage 10' 4wt on windless days on the beach or from the boat. My go-to rod is a 9'6" TFO Pro, but I'll also fish a Sage 9' 6wt if I'm fishing poppers or just want something with more beef. I own 7 and 8 weights, but it has been years since I have fished them on Puget Sound. I think you'll find that you won't do much fishing in the wind. At least I don't. If it's windy I'd rather just go sailing!

 

[Steve Saville]

I usually fish a 5 wt. switch rod on the beach for cutts and resident coho. If it's windy, I might go to a 6 or 7 wt. On a real bad day or when the fish are bigger, I go to an 8 wt. because I want to get the fish in and released. It all depends on your experience and what you want to do with the fish. During the bigger salmon runs, I'll keep a coho for dinner, Pinks for smoking or a quick BBQ. I'm still waiting to hook a King on a fly. Rare but been known to happen here. Those and Chums will tax your 7/8. Beach fishing is a gas.