SALT WATER
Beaches: The next razor-clam dig of the season gets under way at four ocean beaches today.
Twin Harbors beach will open for digging from noon today through Tuesday. The other beaches – Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks – are open for digging today and Sunday. The low tide times are: today, 5:57 p.m., plus-0.2 feet; Sunday, 6:36 p.m., minus-0.1 feet; Monday, 7:12 p.m., minus-0.3 feet; and Tuesday, 7:46 p.m., minus-0.4 feet.
Fly-fishing: While there are still plenty of coho in the area, the bulk of the run appears to have already come through. The sea-run cutthroat trout fishing is very good to excellent. Remember, sea-runs must be released.
Hoodsport: The chum are coming back in better numbers. Try an anchovy under a bobber or green corky and yarn.
North Sound: As the summer salmon season winds down, the coho action is still very good. Try trolling flashers and hoochies off Edmonds and Possession Bar. The squid fishing from piers in Edmonds and Seattle has been above average. People putting in some time are going home with good catches.
South Sound: Salmon fishing has shown some signs of improvement, with anglers catching blackmouth. Some fish are weighing more than 14 pounds. Try trolling flashers and hoochies.
Chum salmon are being caught south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Crab fishing in Marine Area 13 has been pretty good since the season reopened.
LAKES
Offut: Anglers are catching plenty of rainbow trout, most measuring 12-18 inches long. They are fishing worms and Power Bait off the bottom.
Spanaway: Fly-fishermen are having success because the trout are at the surface most of the day. Chironomid patterns are working well. Brown trout are moving toward the creek at the north end. Rainbow trout are hitting dough baits on the bottom or a trolled Wedding Ring tipped with a worm.
RIVERS
Carbon: Anglers are reporting catching some coho. Many of the fish are on the small side, weighing 2-3 pounds. Those having the most success are casting spinners.
Green: Coho and chinook are being caught, just not in great numbers. The fish are holding in deep pools waiting for river levels to rise. Drift a jig under a bobber through the deep water.
Humptulips: Anglers are catching a mix of chinook, coho and chum, but mostly chinook. Drifting eggs seems to be the best method.
Methow: People are having some success for steelhead. Try swinging medium-size flies on an intermediate sink line or skating flies on a floating line with river flows this low.
Satsop: Fishing is very slow.
Skokomish: Reports indicate tribal nets have been in the river. For sports anglers, the fishing has been off and on. A few coho are being caught, and more chum are starting to come in.
Snohomish: There are lots of coho in the river, they just don’t seem willing to bite. Try plugs without a rattle and in more subtle colors.
Yakima: The action is best from later morning until about 4 p.m., with Blue Wing Olives and Mahogany Duns hatching. A small Parachute Adams works well for both.
Contributors: Blake Merwin at Gig Harbor Fly Shop, gamefishin.com, Mike Chamberlain at Ted’s Sports Center, salmonuniversity.com, Scott Knox at Point Defiance Boathouse, washingtonlakes.com, Joe Rotter at Red’s Fly Shop, Becky Pogue at Offut Lake Resort, Bud Herlitzka at Spanaway Park Boathouse and Walt Harvey at Verle’s Sports Center. Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640 jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure
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