SALT WATER
South Sound: The Point Defiance Boathouse Marina staff reports that fishing in the area has been slow. Trolling with flasher and spoon or hoochies and a lot of patience is likely your best bet.
Fly-fishing: Blake Merwin of the Gig Harbor Fly Shop said, “Resident coho fishing in the South Sound is great right now. Fish are 10-17 inches, numerous and hungry for the fly.” Merwin recommends the following flies: IP Euphasid, Gary’s Euphasid, Sili Shrimp, pink/white Marabou Clousers, chartreuse/white Marabou Clousers or Cerise Lite Brite Clousers.
Razor clams: The next digs scheduled for the Washington coast are Jan. 8-14 at Twin Harbors, Jan.10-12 at Long Beach and Copalis, and Jan. 11-12 at Mocrocks.
Crabbing: Puget Sound closed for crabbing on Monday. Winter catch reports are due Feb. 1. Reports are required to be filed even for those who did not catch any crab.
North Sound: Reports indicate fishing has been good around the San Juan Islands.
LAKES
American: Mike Barr of Bill’s Boathouse says there are big, beautiful fish biting on the lake if you are willing to put in the work. Most recently for him, it took two hours before he caught a large trout that wiggled off the hook just as his friend attempted to scoop it up with a net.
He says the weather is nice but cold, resulting in few anglers staying longer than 30 minutes.
Barr recommends a 6-foot leader with Power Eggs and half-ounce sinker. He cast out about 50 feet and slowly reels it in, getting the most bites about 20-30 feet off the dock.
Washington: The most recent report on washingtonlakes.com indicates that action it slow but that some small cutthroat are biting.
RIVERS
Bogachiel: Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks says the action has been up and down “but not smoking hot.” Said Gooding: “You have a shot at having a good day, a shot at having a bad day and better shot at having an average day.”
Columbia: As of Tuesday anglers on part of the river are required to use barbless hooks while fishing for salmon, steelhead and cutthroat. The rule applies to the section between the mouth (including the north jetty) to the Washington-Oregon state border 17 miles upstream from McNary Dam.
Cowlitz: Some anglers have been rewarded for putting in their time.
Sol Duc: Fish are starting to show, Gooding said. “People are catching fish, but you have to put in the work,” he said.
Skykomish: The action has been slower than usual of late.
Craig Hill: 253-597-8497 craig.hill@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure @AdventureGuys
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