What Southwest Washington Anglers Need to Know Right Now

I've fished the last three weekends in a row with Pete. Yes, I've become a bit of a weekend warrior lately. Between my job at the Visitors Bureau, Spawn Fly Fish, and being a relatively new dad, there just isn't much time to fish during the week. So when the weekend rolls around, I'm trying to make every hour count.

One thing has become very clear over the last few weeks: fishing has been tougher than normal.

For starters, I believe a lot of it has to do with rainfall—or more accurately, the lack of it. Fishermen follow weather patterns. We remember everything. We know what a section of water should look like based on the time of year. We know where the fish should be holding, how much current should be moving through a run, and what a creek typically looks like in June.

This year has been different.

To put some numbers behind it, Ilwaco is roughly 2.7 inches below normal rainfall for the May-June period to date. The bigger story is just how dry this spring has been. Through late May, Ilwaco had received only about 26.8 inches of rain year-to-date compared to a historical average of 39.3 inches. That's a deficit of more than 12 inches.

That isn't a small difference. It's a measurable amount, and the rivers are low. The creeks are even lower.

If you're going to find fish this year, you're going to have to change your game.

Coastal cutthroat are often a forgiving fish when it comes to a less-than-perfect cast. In normal water conditions, you can get away with a mistake or two and still find success. When water gets this low and clear, that's no longer the case. Even a good cast can send fish racing for cover.

Slow down. Make deliberate casts. Focus on presentation. Make sure your fly lands softly. Every movement matters.

Another thing we've noticed is that the fish are stacking up. There simply isn't much water available, which means fish are concentrated in the limited habitat that still provides depth, cover, and security.

We're finding the majority of fish in deeper pools with structure. In many years, every logjam, undercut bank, or pocket water feature seems to hold a fish. That's just not what we're seeing this season.

One of the biggest adjustments we've made has been letting our flies sink deeper. The drop continues to be the ticket. Fish aren't chasing flies all the way across the creek or river. Instead, most of our eats are coming near the bottom after allowing the fly to settle and then imparting just a few short strips for movement.

Patience has become a critical part of the presentation.

Looking ahead, we have another ten days of dry weather in the forecast. If that forecast holds, it will only exaggerate what we're already seeing.

As a result, we'll likely begin fishing lower in the systems and spending more time around tidewater. One of our favorite approaches is waiting for the tide to switch and fishing as the outgoing tide begins to clear the lower river. Those transitions often reveal small pockets of fish that can provide surprisingly good fishing even during difficult conditions.

Is it going to be an easy year for cutthroat anglers?

Probably not.

But fish are still being caught. Success simply requires a little more patience, a little more stealth, and a willingness to adjust.

Move slowly. Present your fly well. Let it sink. Focus on the best water available.

Do those things, and you'll still find fish and if not, we will switch over to carp soon and let you know all about how that goes!