According to many reports and some filtered through fish stories, the steelheading on the Olympic Peninsula has been good so far this year (or last year, since this is a new year technically) and should continue on through the remaining season.
For those of you that want to fish the OP but feel intimidated by the seeming complexity or overwhelming mythology that seems to surround the Peninsula (No I don't mean vampires or werewolves, just the mysterious shroud that is OP steelheading)we may have the perfect opportunity for you, especially if you would like to gather a group of buddies and go on a fishing adventure in the land of mist and giant trees.
Troy Dettman of River Guides LLC.has open dates for individuals or groups in March on the OP. Troy has years of experience and great knowledge about Washington steelheading. His quick wit and humor create an enjoyable fishing experience for everyone.
Current Dates:
March 5-8
March 12-14
March 21-23
If you have any questions or just want some more information feel free to call us at the shop or you can contact Troy via email at islandangler@msn.com or via his Facebook page, River Guides LLC.
Also for those of you looking for those Issak's Ranch dates we have our dates with Jay Robison in.
April 13th
April 14th
May 12th
May 13th
Again any inquiries can be sent to the shop at (425)392-3800 or via info@creeksideangling.com. Issak's is Washington's premier pay to play. It's huge fish and secluded setting make it hard to beat as a destination, especially in spring when most rivers are running high and colored. Prices are $225 per rod. Spots are filling fast so get on it!
Until next time.
Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins.
-RB
Showing posts with label trout. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trout. Show all posts
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
The Best of 2011, Creekside Edition
We have entered 2012 with tails...err...tales of steelhead in our brains and dreams of fishing trips to come. 2011 was a year of high water, really high water into mid summer, a crappy summer of weather until the very end, Donald Trump's run for president and subsequent tongue lashing as he pulled out (please, please run as an independent, we all need something to laugh about), epic steelheading and great fall trout fishing. All in all, from a fishing standpoint it was a great year. So in the effort of beating a hatchery steelhead into further submission, so to speak, we shall review the year, Creekside style.
Best Steelhead River, The Klickitat: While steelheading was pretty good across the board this past year, the Klickitat takes the cake. This fall it provided more entertainment for fly-fisherman and gear heads then Donald Trump's presidential campaign did for Jon Stewart. A lot of fish, and not just hatchery fish were being caught, lots of big wild fish, bringing smiles to even the most hardened man's face. Hell, even I caught some, which tells you just how good it was and I have proof.
See. Proof. Anyway, the Klickitat fished really well this year. We recommend you start thinking about heding down there next year, hanging out with the boys from the Steelhead Ranch and hooking some chrome in the cold, crisp autumn air.
Creekside Catch of the Year: This one was a tough one to determine.We had some good ones to peruse. From little girls holding their first fish to seasoned vets showing off slabs we got them all. So after much thought, for our Catch of the Year we have chosen. (Someone queue a drumroll or something.)
Gotcha! Ok, ok. Here is the real Catch of the Year.
Top Fly: The bead. I keed, I keed. There were a lot of great flies this year. The one we would choose to be the top fly for this year would be everyone's favorite to say because it drums up Bill Murray. I, of course, am talking about the Dali Llama, as our fly of the year. Cinderella story, this greenskeeper...
Ok and with one finally thing.
Epic Fail of 2011: Steven Tyler. We are talking to you. You single handedly cleaned out our feather market with your silliness of using grizzly hackle, in your hair, while on American Idol. So consequently all us poor defenseless fly-fisherman had nothing to tie size 26 gnats with. So congratulations, you sir, are Creekside's Epic Fail of 2011.
There's our best and worst of 2011.
In other news the westside rivers are coming back into fishing shape, especially the Snoqualmie and Sky. So head on out and get some steelhead that are within reach of Seattle.
I hope everyone had a great New Year and here is to a very fishy 2012.
Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins.
-RB
Best Steelhead River, The Klickitat: While steelheading was pretty good across the board this past year, the Klickitat takes the cake. This fall it provided more entertainment for fly-fisherman and gear heads then Donald Trump's presidential campaign did for Jon Stewart. A lot of fish, and not just hatchery fish were being caught, lots of big wild fish, bringing smiles to even the most hardened man's face. Hell, even I caught some, which tells you just how good it was and I have proof.
See. Proof. Anyway, the Klickitat fished really well this year. We recommend you start thinking about heding down there next year, hanging out with the boys from the Steelhead Ranch and hooking some chrome in the cold, crisp autumn air.
Creekside Catch of the Year: This one was a tough one to determine.We had some good ones to peruse. From little girls holding their first fish to seasoned vets showing off slabs we got them all. So after much thought, for our Catch of the Year we have chosen. (Someone queue a drumroll or something.)
 | ||
| Hugh and Scott doubled up on the Klickitat! |
Ok and with one finally thing.
Epic Fail of 2011: Steven Tyler. We are talking to you. You single handedly cleaned out our feather market with your silliness of using grizzly hackle, in your hair, while on American Idol. So consequently all us poor defenseless fly-fisherman had nothing to tie size 26 gnats with. So congratulations, you sir, are Creekside's Epic Fail of 2011.
There's our best and worst of 2011.
In other news the westside rivers are coming back into fishing shape, especially the Snoqualmie and Sky. So head on out and get some steelhead that are within reach of Seattle.
I hope everyone had a great New Year and here is to a very fishy 2012.
Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins.
-RB
Monday, December 5, 2011
Creekside Angling Winter Rate Special!
We here at Creekside Angling are happy to announce that for the dates of December 1st through the 15th of March we will be offering special winter rates for trout fishing on the Yakima River of $275 for 1 or 2 people! This includes flies, leaders, tippet material and if you can't provide your own rod/reel we have those too. These trips will be bring your own lunch and last around 6 hours on Washington's only blue ribbon trout stream. Snacks, water and soda will be provided.
The Yakima in winter can be a perfect time to float. The water is low and clear and the fishing can be excellent. However it is eastern Washington and it will be chilly so don't forget to bring warm clothing and some waterproof gear and a thermos of coffee may not be a bad idea either. The scenery isn't bad either.
The fishing has been good on the Yak and the weather hasn't been terrible at all so give us a call here at the shop (425-392-3800) if you would like to set up a trip and we can get you rolling on a mid-winter excursion that breaks the doldrums of fly-tying and watching the BCS nightmare known as bowl season.
Tomorrow should bring a post entailing our first full-length fly-tying lesson featuring Shop Pro Charlie Robinton! Learn how to use our new Sculpin Helmets to tie a killer Yakima winter staple, the Sculpin. So stay tuned for that and enjoy the slice of nice weather we are having. Get out and angle!
Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins.
-RB
The Yakima in winter can be a perfect time to float. The water is low and clear and the fishing can be excellent. However it is eastern Washington and it will be chilly so don't forget to bring warm clothing and some waterproof gear and a thermos of coffee may not be a bad idea either. The scenery isn't bad either.
The fishing has been good on the Yak and the weather hasn't been terrible at all so give us a call here at the shop (425-392-3800) if you would like to set up a trip and we can get you rolling on a mid-winter excursion that breaks the doldrums of fly-tying and watching the BCS nightmare known as bowl season.
Tomorrow should bring a post entailing our first full-length fly-tying lesson featuring Shop Pro Charlie Robinton! Learn how to use our new Sculpin Helmets to tie a killer Yakima winter staple, the Sculpin. So stay tuned for that and enjoy the slice of nice weather we are having. Get out and angle!
Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins.
-RB
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Circle 3 Spring Creek. This Month's Featured Destination.
We are more then just a fly-shop here at Creekside Angling Company. We have stable of wicked good guides and a couple top notch destinations to fulfill all of your fishing urges and addictions. Not to mention our frequent classes and personal instruction to help improve your ways in everything fly-fishing.
Every month we feature a destination on our website of places we have fished or really, really want to fish. Since we are in the thralls of a La Nina winter and it's waves of never-ending, soulcrushing weather, this month's featured destination will be a happy summer place in southwestern Montana and is perfect for you spring creek fanatics, like our owner Pete. If casting dry flies, to large hungry trout, in water that is about 15-20 feet wide is your cup of tea then this place may be your Mecca. Here's a video to wet your appetite.
For more information, you can talk to us here at the shop or go here Circle 3 Spring Creek. We are excited to offer you these premier destinations to get your fixing fish...err....your fishing fix. I apologize, I apparently need more coffee or Mountain Dew.
We may post a little fly-tying instructional video later today, so keep your eyes peeled for that! It will be exciting! Perhaps some humor!
Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins.
-RB
Every month we feature a destination on our website of places we have fished or really, really want to fish. Since we are in the thralls of a La Nina winter and it's waves of never-ending, soulcrushing weather, this month's featured destination will be a happy summer place in southwestern Montana and is perfect for you spring creek fanatics, like our owner Pete. If casting dry flies, to large hungry trout, in water that is about 15-20 feet wide is your cup of tea then this place may be your Mecca. Here's a video to wet your appetite.
For more information, you can talk to us here at the shop or go here Circle 3 Spring Creek. We are excited to offer you these premier destinations to get your fixing fish...err....your fishing fix. I apologize, I apparently need more coffee or Mountain Dew.
We may post a little fly-tying instructional video later today, so keep your eyes peeled for that! It will be exciting! Perhaps some humor!
Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins.
-RB
Monday, November 28, 2011
This Is What the Rock Is Cooking, Fly-Tying 101: #6 Skintilla
With the La Nina winter finally here, most of us shut down our fishing for the season, hunker down in the house and start tying flies for the upcoming spring/summer/fall. Sure we come out of hibernation for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, make a show of being alive then recede back into our caverns. Fishing only crosses the mind of those that chase steelhead or those of us that need to get that fishing fix and stumble over to the Yakima on one of the few days when the sky opens up and reveals that precious commodity known as the sun.
There are other options however to the hermit type existence lived by Pacific Northwest fly-fisherman. Rocky Ford comes to mind. A spring creek that flows through the basalt and sagebrush,loaded with large fish that eat small flies, especially in the winter. The Ford produces well in the middle of winter when all the rivers are blown out. . It provides the option to fish, it may not be the warmest, but it's an option when you get the Cabin Fever. Small flies are the name of the game. Midges, scuds, and serendipities. I learned of this fly during my time down on the San Juan and have used it up here on the Yakima and the Ford with success. And this fly is an excellent one to add into the mix. So here we go with fly tying victim #6. The Skintilla.
As always our tying lessons can be found on our Tying Page. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment and we will answer it with all possible speed.
Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins
-RB
There are other options however to the hermit type existence lived by Pacific Northwest fly-fisherman. Rocky Ford comes to mind. A spring creek that flows through the basalt and sagebrush,loaded with large fish that eat small flies, especially in the winter. The Ford produces well in the middle of winter when all the rivers are blown out. . It provides the option to fish, it may not be the warmest, but it's an option when you get the Cabin Fever. Small flies are the name of the game. Midges, scuds, and serendipities. I learned of this fly during my time down on the San Juan and have used it up here on the Yakima and the Ford with success. And this fly is an excellent one to add into the mix. So here we go with fly tying victim #6. The Skintilla.
Supply List
Hook: Daichi 1120 #18-24
Thread: 8/0 Uni, Olive, Red, Black, Grey or Blue
Bubble: Mini Glass Bead, Peacock
Rib: Brassie Ultra Wire, color can vary
Step 1: Choose a color of thread. I would stick with olive or black. Tie the thread on the hook. Build up the body by wrapping thread back towards the bend then back towards the eye.
Step 2: This part is the only tricky part. Cut a piece of ultra wire. Fold one end back towards the other. Slide the bead over both strands of ultra wire and let it run down the bend. Place the looped section near the eye of the hook, leaving enough space to tie a head. Tie down the ultra wire in front of the bead, making 1 loose wrap and then 2-4 tight wraps. Then wrap behind the bead with one loose wrap and 2-4 tighter wraps. Cut the loop of wire in front of the bead off.
Step 3: Cut one of the strands of ultra wire that protrudes behind the bead. Wrap the thread over the other strand of ultra wire back towards the bend. At the bend wrap the thread back forward towards the bead, building a tapered body up to the bead. Make one wrap in front of the bead and leave it for now.
Step 4: Wrap the strand of ultra wire forward towards the bead over the body to create a ribbing. Wrap to the bead then make one more wrap in front of the bead. Tie the ultra wire off, trim it and build up a head. Whip finish and place a dab of head cement.
Color Schemes: This fly is simple to tie and can be used in multiple colors. I focused mostly on Olive thread and green wire, but red/red works, black/silver, black/black, black/green, black/red, red/silver, gray/silver, gray/green, gray/red, blue/blue, blue/green, blue/silver. I'm sure there are others that would work, but those are the main ones I have used.
Where it Fishes: It's pretty much all I used on the San Juan. I had a box filled with these in different sizes and colors. But I have used it during a BWO hatch on the Yakima, the Ford, the Gunnison, Flat Creek, and I'm sure it will work on any spring creek you can think of. I haven't had much of a chance to fish it here in Washington outside of the Yakima but it will work anywhere there is a BWO or Midge hatch and the fish are targeting those food groups.
Feed Fish Flies, Not Toxins
-RB
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