Visiting the coast during winter can seem daunting with its wet, windy, and cold weather. But for those of us born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, there’s something undeniably captivating about the ocean, even during the stormiest months. The beauty of the coastline, combined with the tranquility of quieter seasons, provides more than enough reasons to plan your coastal getaway. And, of course, if you’re headed to the coast, there’s one essential item you should never leave behind—a fly rod.

The winter months along the Washington coast are about more than just the fishing; they’re about the whole experience. But if you’re coming, you should be prepared to make the most of the diverse angling opportunities. Here’s a breakdown, month by month, of what to expect and what to bring on your coastal winter adventure.

November: King Tides, Coho, and Chum Salmon

During this month, you can target both chum and coho salmon. Early in November, chum are still prevalent, but as the month progresses, coho fishing becomes red hot. These fish are eager to take a fly and put up a serious fight, so an 8wt or 9wt rod is a must for these hard-charging fish.

But don’t forget, the coast offers much more than just fishing this time of year. November marks the beginning of our annual the King Tides, which shape our local ecosystems and create exciting opportunities for site seeing and photography. Not only that but between crabbing, razor clam digs, beachcombing, mushroom picking, and hunting, there’s something for everyone. So pack your gear and don’t let the rain keep you away—November is packed with opportunity.

December: Coho and Steelhead Make a Splash

December’s allure is similar to November’s but with the added holiday charm and the anticipation of “Crab Pot Christmas” events. Coho fishing remains excellent, making your 8wt rod indispensable. But as the coho season winds down, December is when the first steelhead of the season begin to trickle into our rivers, especially in systems with active hatcheries.

Steelhead are a dream fish for many anglers, offering a challenge that demands dedication and skill. While these silver ghosts start to appear in December, be sure to keep a lighter rod handy as well. Our local lakes remain well-stocked with rainbow trout, and you never know when the rivers may be too high for safe fishing due to storms and rainfall.

January: Storm Watching and Steelhead Pursuit

January signals a new season and a fresh start. There’s no better place to welcome the new year than on the coast, sipping hot coffee as you watch the powerful Pacific storms roll in. Fishing remains a viable option, with the focus fully shifting to steelhead. While the weather can be tough—sometimes seeing rivers rise and fall unpredictably—an 8wt rod is perfect for targeting steelhead in our smaller coastal rivers.

When the river flows are manageable, and the skies clear for those rare, stunning sunsets, the rewards are great. But even on stormy days, crabbing, clam digs, and beachcombing continue to be enjoyable coastal opportunities.

February: Steelhead Season in Full Swing

February is prime time for steelhead fishing in Southwest Washington. While the weather may test your patience, the steelhead fishing opportunities are well worth it. Don’t forget that trusty 8wt rod! If conditions line up just right, you may also encounter cutthroat trout that have been out of sight since November. These fish, previously overshadowed by the larger salmon, eagerly take flies, offering thrilling and unexpected action in February.

March: Wrapping Up and Looking Forward

As March rolls in, most of the region’s fisheries begin to wind down. Steelhead fishing may still be available in a few rivers, but this is also a time to look out for something special—the chum fry outmigration. If conditions are right and the rivers are open, you’ll find cutthroat aggressively feeding on the tiny, silver chum fry, boiling up in the rivers. A 4wt or 5wt rod is ideal for this action, and it’s an opportunity not to be missed.

For many anglers, March is a month for reflection on an amazing season and the anticipation of what’s to come. It’s the perfect time to relax, tie flies, and get lost in your favorite fishing book, all while preparing for the new season.

April: Preparing for the Cutthroat Season

By the time April arrives, fishing opportunities narrow down mostly to stocked lakes. But that doesn’t mean your coastal adventure should be canceled this is a perfect time to visit many of our local attractions including lighthouses, breweries museum and small businesses like ours that need a boost headed into spring and summer! 

Plan Your Coastal Adventure

Winter at the coast is a time of quiet beauty, with plenty of fishing and outdoor opportunities if you know where to look. Whether it’s chasing coho, battling steelhead, or simply enjoying the solitude of a winter storm, there’s always a reason to come to the coast—and always a reason to bring your fly rod.

And if you find yourself in Ilwaco, make sure to stop by Spawn Fly Fish. We’d love to hear about your adventures and help you make the most of your time on the water.

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It’s official—after today's much-anticipated rain, chum salmon have arrived in droves, making their way into all of our local rivers. If you’ve been waiting for this moment, now’s the time to grab your gear and hit the water!

Chum salmon are a unique and thrilling target this time of year. While they aren’t always the first choice for those seeking trophy fish, chums offer an exceptional fight and are an important part of our fisheries. Known for their striking patterns and aggressive nature, they can make for an exciting day on the water. Not only do these fish give anglers a great challenge, but they also help sustain the health of our local ecosystems.

The heavy rain we’re seeing right now has triggered their run, and they’re moving into all of the smaller and larger systems throughout Southwest Washington. Whether you’re fishing for them on the fly or using more traditional gear, their sheer numbers and willingness to bite make for an exciting fishery as we head deeper into fall.

For many of us, the arrival of chum salmon means a shift in our fishing focus. Cutthroat fishing may be winding down as these large salmon take over the rivers, but there’s no denying the excitement that comes with targeting these hard-fighting fish.

If you haven’t already, now’s the perfect time to get out there and take advantage of the fresh arrival of chum salmon in our local rivers. It’s shaping up to be a great season, so get ready for some memorable fishing!

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If you're passionate about fly tying, you already know that adding the right materials can make all the difference in bringing your flies to life. One of the most dynamic materials in the fly tying world is rubber and silicone legs, which add movement, flare, and an irresistible action to your patterns. Whether you're tying bass bugs, coho streamers, nymphs, saltwater flies, or crafting the perfect jig, legs are essential for that added realism and motion that drives fish crazy.

Why Rubber and Silicone Legs?

Rubber and silicone legs offer incredible versatility. When submerged, they create lifelike movement that mimics everything from fleeing baitfish to struggling insects. The slight wiggle of these legs can trigger predatory instincts in fish, often turning a follower into a hard hitter. Their flexibility means they perform equally well in stillwater and moving water, adapting to currents and your line action.

But it’s not just the movement that makes these legs a game changer. The range of colors, patterns, and textures means you can tie flies for just about any species and water condition. Need a high-contrast bug for murky water? Grab a set of barred silicone legs. Want to add subtle motion to your nymphs? Thin, rubber legs are perfect for the job. The options are limitless!

The Full Range of Hareline Legs at Spawn Fly Fish

Here’s the exciting news: Spawn Fly Fish now carries every single leg that Hareline has to offer! That’s right—whether you’re hunting for classic round rubber legs, perfecting your hopper patterns with speckled silicone, or getting creative with crazy legs, you can now find it all in one place.

We've expanded our inventory to ensure that no matter what leg style or color you need, we’ve got you covered.

As you know, at Spawn Fly Fish, we pride ourselves on offering the best and largest selection of fly tying materials in the Pacific Northwest. With this addition, we’re continuing to strengthen our position as the premier destination for all things fly tying. When you shop with us, you're not just getting materials—you’re getting top-notch customer service, expert knowledge, and a constantly growing inventory, all under one roof.

If you haven’t searched "legs" on our site recently, now is the perfect time! Explore the full range of Hareline rubber and silicone legs and stock up for your next tying session. Whether you’re working on a proven fly or dreaming up something entirely new, having the right legs at your disposal will take your patterns to the next level.

Click here to check out the legs selection on our site!

At Spawn Fly Fish, we’re always working to provide the best materials, so you can focus on what you do best—tying incredible flies and catching fish. Thanks for continuing to choose us for your fly tying needs. 

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At Spawn Fly Fish, we rely on top-tier gear to ensure success on the water. Generally speaking people want to know specifically the gear we personally fish so here are the two rods that we use plus a few others that we love! 

Spawn Owner Josh Phillips fishes with a 9ft 8wt Douglas Sky G, a rod known for its lightness and incredible power. The Sky G offers fast action, making it perfect for casting larger flies and handling aggressive fish like coho and chum. Its construction allows for superior accuracy and the ability to punch through wind, making it ideal for both large rivers and the open waters of the Pacific Northwest. For Josh, the Sky G delivers the perfect balance of power and precision when targeting larger species like salmon.

Spawn Owner Pete Rosenau, on the other hand, prefers the 9ft 8wt Sage R8. This rod, Sage’s latest innovation, focuses on control and versatility. The R8’s responsive feel provides a level of finesse that enhances casting accuracy and delivers just the right amount of power for fighting bigger fish. Whether fishing for migratory coho or battling the brute force of chum salmon, the Sage R8 is Pete’s go-to choice for its durability, lightweight design, and incredible responsiveness. It’s a perfect rod for the diverse and challenging fisheries we tackle in the Pacific Northwest.

We also fish and recommend gear for anglers at every level, and two more standout rods that see plenty of action are the Echo Boost Fresh and the Sage Foundation.

The Echo Boost Blue 9ft 8wt is an excellent option for anglers who demand high performance without breaking the bank. This rod is built for speed and power, offering fast action to help deliver long, accurate casts even with larger flies and in tough conditions. Its lightweight design and powerful backbone make it a great choice for targeting salmon species like coho and chum, while still being versatile enough for a wide variety of fishing situations. Whether you’re casting into the wind or need that extra muscle to fight a big fish, the Echo Boost delivers.

On the mid tier higher end, the Sage Foundation 9ft 8wt offers a perfect blend of power and performance for salmon anglers. Known for its fast action and smooth casting, the Foundation is designed to handle large fish with ease, making it ideal for salmon fisheries. Its Graphite IIIe technology gives the rod a crisp, responsive feel, ensuring precise casting and control even when handling heavier flies and bigger water. For anglers who want a premium rod experience without jumping into the highest price brackets, the Sage Foundation offers an exceptional balance of quality and performance.

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Well, that’s a great question, but the answer is not so straightforward. There are many factors to consider when deciding what weight rod to use for salmon. These include the species of salmon, the type of water you’re fishing in, and the size of flies you’re planning to throw. Let’s break it down by species and scenarios to give you a clearer idea..

Salmon Species we target in the Pacific Northwest (PNW)

Here in the PNW, we typically target Chinook, Coho, Chum, and Pink Salmon. Each species presents different challenges, so let’s examine whether an 8wt is truly necessary for each.

Chinook Salmon

Chinook, also known as king salmon, are among the largest and most powerful fish you’ll encounter. In Southwest Washington, targeting Chinook on the fly is challenging but rewarding. These fish can reach upwards of 20-30 pounds, and when they strike, they showcase their brute strength and size.

For Chinook, I can confidently say that an 8wt rod—and often a 9wt—is absolutely necessary. Anything lighter will struggle to handle the weight, speed, and power of these fish, leading to drawn-out battles that aren’t good for the fish or your gear. If you want to successfully land these giants and preserve your gear, go with an 8wt or higher.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon is where things get a bit more interesting. While an 8wt is generally recommended for migratory coho—especially in tight quarters or when using heavier flies such as jigs—many anglers, including us here at the shop, have landed big coho on 6wts. We’ve even caught them on 5wts in Puget Sound.

That said, an 8wt is still the right call for most situations, particularly when fishing for large, late-season coho (which can reach up to 20 pounds). In larger bodies of water where fish have room to run, a lighter rod may suffice, but for smaller rivers or estuaries where space is limited, an 8wt provides better control and reduces the risk of breakage and losing a fish.

Chum Salmon

Chum salmon are the unsung heroes of the PNW’s salmon fisheries. These fish are large, aggressive, and incredibly strong. Many anglers don’t give chum the love they deserve, but they can be an exhilarating catch. If you’re targeting chum, anything under an 8wt is a mistake. These fish are notorious for breaking rods, and trying to fight them on anything less than an 8wt will either result in frustration or a broken rod.

Chum salmon can get big—10 to 15 pounds on average—and they have the power to back it up. For these brutes, reach for your 8wt or even a 9wt to ensure you can land them efficiently and enjoy the fight without putting your gear at risk.

Pink Salmon

Pink salmon are the smallest of the salmon species in the PNW, and while they don’t match the raw power of coho, chum, or Chinook, they’re still a lot of fun to catch. For pinks, you can confidently fish with a 6wt rod. In fact, using an 8wt might be overkill, as pinks generally weigh around 4 to 5 pounds and are much easier to handle.

While pinks aren’t as exciting on heavier rods, fishing for them on lighter gear can turn what some see as a less challenging species into a thrilling fight. When the pinks run, grab your 6wt and enjoy a great day on the water.

Other Factors to Consider

Type of Water

• Larger bodies of water: If you're fishing in a larger body of water, you may be able to use a lighter rod because there is more space for the fish to run. However, in smaller rivers or tight quarters, an 8wt provides better control and helps you manage big fish in confined spaces.

Fly Size

• The type and size of fly you’re using also affect your rod choice. If you’re throwing heavy flies like jigs or larger streamers, you’ll want the power of an 8wt to deliver them effectively and control your cast in windier conditions.

So, do you really need an 8wt to fish for salmon? The answer largely depends on what species you’re targeting, where you’re fishing, and what you’re using. For Chinook and chum, absolutely—go for the 8wt (or even a 9wt). For coho, it depends on the conditions, but an 8wt is a safe bet. For pink salmon, feel free to go lighter with a 6wt.

Ultimately, an 8wt is one of the most versatile rod choices for salmon fishing in the PNW, but there’s room to go lighter or heavier depending on your specific needs.

Want to know which rods we use? Click HERE for another blog! 

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