[troutangler]

Just moved to Lakewood from Battle Ground and would like to start fly casting for SRC's from the local beaches.

Yes I know, so do a lot of other guy's who have been paying their dues, long before I got here!

I'm retired and can fish anytime, but I am wondering... Incoming tide/outgoing? ...At the turn of a high or low? ...Morning, Midday, Evening? I am not asking you to freely give up the secrets of your years of experience...but, if there are any generally accepted 'rules of thumb' about when it's better to fly fish the beaches, I'd like to know before I make a fool of myself.

I've been scouting a few of the local beaches (Area 11 & 13) at midday lately, but thus far, have not sighted any fish (or flyfisher's), so I'm thinking midday isn't optimal unless you want to hook a bikini. On the other hand, maybe it's just that no one fishes on their lunch break anymore...

So what are the natives going to tell me..." just go get your boots wet"?

I'd gladly trade some beach fishing for a day float on the Cowlitz.
If that helps persuade you, send me a PM.

Thanks

 

[Go Fish]

Everyone has their own ideas on this. I look for moving water (in or out),
low light conditions (not always required), and bait fish (if possible).

Lots of great areas around T Town to go but why go for Coastal Cutts when
its Jammin Salmon time up north. A drive of a hour+ might get you into some
dinner fare.

Good Luck

Dave

 

[Mumbles]

Points sticking out in areas with current. I fish when there is time to fish, but if I had my ideal time it would be lower light with lots of movement in or out. Some beaches have been good to me on an incoming and nada on the outgoing. Others are just the opposite. Go Fish nailed it though, low light might help, water movement and baitfish activity all are good in my limited experience. Of course his point on the arrival of some bigger dinner fish is spot on too. Good idea to get your 6wt rod and reel and go through the fly boxes you might want, toss them in your stripping basket and go for that walk you talked about. Best of luck.

 

[miyawaki]

Moving tide in or out, point or no point, doesn't matter as long as it's moving left to right or vice versa . Low light is the best although, if there's bait around it won't matter. Some beaches have better movement on the ebb and some on the flood. Look for cobbled rocky beaches. If you can walk barefoot, it's not a cuttthroat beach. The only exception is sand with eelgrass beds.

Leland.

 

[Wormonhook]

"Moving tide in or out, point or no point, doesn't matter as long as it's moving left to right or vice versa . Low light is the best although, if there's bait around it won't matter. Some beaches have better movement on the ebb and some on the flood. Look for cobbled rocky beaches.If you can walk barefoot, it's not a cuttthroat beach. The only exception is sand with eelgrass beds."

Here is the foolproof guide: see above quote and previous posts and then go fish any and every beach you can access that is as described above regardless of tidal stage. It really is a treasure hunt and there are no guarantees other than having a good day on the water. You'll develop your own preferences and biases regarding locations and tides.

Good luck, welcome to the salt, and have fun.

P.S. there isn't a better forum for information, input and support. These folks have been a real help to me.

 

[SAVE STILLY NATES]

High tide and the switch to outgoing are the best. dont fish in sand bottom or mud! Find the gravel!!!