Puget Sound is an angler’s paradise, with its abundant and diverse fish species, breathtaking views, and unique tidal environment. Whether I am targeting my favorite species the sea-run cutthroat trout or migrating coho it is simply too much fun.

In early 2014 I fell in love with Sea Run Cutthroat and ever since I have been obsessed, spending thousands  and thousands of hours on the water both from a boat and off the beach. Today, I started writing about this fishery and will continue to add to this now living document. This guide showcases my personal experience and knowledge into actionable steps to maximize your success in this diverse fishery. It will also take into consideration all that I have learned from those that came before me. 

What is a Sea-Run Cutthroat?

The sea-run cutthroat trout (also known as coastal cutthroat, Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) is a fascinating and iconic fish species found along the Pacific coast, from Alaska to Northern California, including the waters of Puget Sound. Unlike their freshwater counterparts, sea-run cutthroat exhibit an anadromous lifestyle, meaning they migrate between freshwater and saltwater during different stages of their life cycle. They spend part of their lives in saltwater but return to freshwater streams and rivers to spawn.

Sea-run cutthroat typically live in freshwater for 2-3 years before migrating to the saltwater estuaries and nearshore environments, where they forage for food. These fish are known for their aggressive feeding behavior, taking advantage of rich food sources such as baitfish, shrimp, and insects. Their ability to adapt to both freshwater and saltwater environments makes them a unique and exciting target for anglers in the Pacific Northwest.

Key Characteristics of Sea-Run Cutthroat

• Size: Most sea-run cutthroat range from 12 to 18 inches, though larger fish can exceed 20 inches.
• Coloration: They have vibrant spotting along their body, with characteristic red or orange slashes under their jaw (the "cutthroat" marking).
• Migration: Unlike salmon, sea-run cutthroat don’t die after spawning and can return to spawn multiple times over their lifespan, making them repeat visitors to local waters.

Conservation and Management Efforts

My father past fisheries biologist Larry Phillips and family friend and biologist James Lossee, worked for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and have been instrumental in managing and enhancing the populations of sea-run cutthroat in Puget Sound and across Washington State. Their work has focused on understanding the behavior, habitat needs, and population dynamics of this species, while also ensuring that conservation strategies are in place to maintain healthy populations.

Key areas of their work include:

• Research and Monitoring: Phillips and Lossee have contributed to numerous studies aimed at tracking sea-run cutthroat populations, identifying key spawning and rearing habitats, and understanding the impact of environmental factors such as water quality and habitat degradation.

• Regulation and Management: WDFW has worked to protect sea-run cutthroat by implementing regulations like catch-and-release only policies, particularly in sensitive areas, to ensure that these fish have a chance to spawn multiple times. The department has also worked to limit harvest and maintain sustainable fishing practices.

• Public Outreach and Education: Phillips and Lossee have been involved in educating the public and the angling community about the importance of protecting sea-run cutthroat habitats and populations, emphasizing the role anglers can play in conservation through responsible fishing practices.

The Coastal Cutthroat Coalition

The Coastal Cutthroat Coalition is a key player in the conservation of sea-run cutthroat throughout their range. This non-profit organization is dedicated to increasing awareness, conducting research, and promoting the conservation of coastal cutthroat trout.

Key contributions of the Coastal Cutthroat Coalition include:

• Research and Data Collection: The Coalition partners with universities, state and federal agencies, and local communities to conduct cutting-edge research on the life history, habitat use, and population trends of sea-run cutthroat. By gathering comprehensive data, the Coalition helps guide management decisions and conservation strategies.
• Public Engagement: One of the hallmarks of the Coastal Cutthroat Coalition is its strong focus on public education. They work to raise awareness about the importance of sea-run cutthroat and their unique life history. The organization runs educational events, workshops, and angling seminars to engage the community in conservation efforts.
• Habitat Restoration: The Coalition also plays a critical role in advocating for and participating in habitat restoration projects. These projects often involve restoring stream habitats, improving water quality, and removing barriers to fish passage, such as outdated culverts. These efforts help ensure that sea-run cutthroat have access to high-quality spawning and rearing habitats.

Current and Ongoing Efforts

• Restoring Estuary and Nearshore Habitats: Efforts are ongoing to restore and protect estuarine environments that are critical for sea-run cutthroat as they transition between freshwater and saltwater. Projects often focus on reducing pollution, enhancing vegetation, and preserving natural shorelines to support healthy ecosystems.
• Genetic Research: Understanding the genetic diversity of sea-run cutthroat populations is another important area of focus for both WDFW and the Coastal Cutthroat Coalition. Genetic studies help managers ensure that conservation efforts are protecting the genetic integrity of populations, which is crucial for their long-term survival.
• Collaborative Fisheries Management: WDFW, in collaboration with other state and tribal agencies, continues to monitor sea-run cutthroat populations and adjust fishing regulations based on scientific data to ensure sustainable fisheries. Angler participation in reporting and conservation programs is encouraged to help with population assessments.

The Waters: Understanding Puget Sound

Now that you have some background on the species, and before we jump into gear, I think the most important part of this fishery is inspiring you to start. Listing rods, reels, fly lines, and flies right off the bat isn't going to spark that inspiration. First things first: let’s get you curious. The best way to do this is by telling a story and then breaking down that success.

Here’s a video I did with Todd Moen, a good friend of mine and one of the best filmmakers out there.

Now that we have you hooked and you know a bit about my less important soccer past, it’s time to dive in. Puget Sound can be daunting. Looking out and attempting to start this fishery is challenging—there's no way around that. The shoreline of Puget Sound, including all its inlets, bays, and islands, spans over 2,500 miles. We wish we could say we’ve fished every inch, but there just isn’t enough time—and too many spots keep drawing us back.

The shoreline itself varies dramatically. Some areas feature cliffs made of rock and eroding clay, while others offer beautiful sandy beaches, mud flats where you’ll surely get stuck, or small and large rocky beaches. Puget Sound has it all.
So, where do these fish live, and where should you start? This is where this write-up might differ from what you’ve read in books or seen in other outlets. We’ll share what works best, but I truly believe you can find success in a wide array of situations.

Early in my journey to master this fishery, I was told to target rocky beaches during an outgoing tide (we’ll get to tides later). But life doesn’t always allow for “perfect” conditions, and sometimes you only have an hour to fish close to home, and the tides don’t always cooperate.

One afternoon in October, I set out on a beach—no rocks, just so much mud I could barely walk. My dad, one of the state's leading fisheries biologists at the time, told me I was wasting my time. An hour later, I called him. "How many do you think I've caught?" I asked. He replied snarkily, "Zero." He couldn’t see me, but I was smiling through the phone. "I lost count at 20," I replied. That winter, my friend and I caught so many fish off that beach that we had to limit the number of days we fished it, forcing ourselves to continue exploring other spots in Puget Sound. 

Beaches:

The point of that story is that these fish call many places home, and you won’t know until you try. Historically, I look for a few features in a beach that I don’t often see mentioned in books or videos, but I believe they’re key. I will let you in on the way I access a beach. Let’s break down a favorite beach of mine and the main points I am looking for.

1. Freshwater runoff: Not a creek or a stream, but runoff. All of my favorite beaches in Puget Sound have this. It’s subtle but crucial. I used to spend hours on Google Maps or OnX searching for spots that had this feature and then fish them to test my theory. You can see this runoff with fingers of water heading into deeper water, especially evident at low tide or in the rainy winter months.
2. Beach impression: I look for some sort of impression in the beach. For example, one of my favorite beaches above has a visible darkening on the left side, this is where the water is a few feet deeper than the adjacent areas, both closer to shore and further out.
3. No bulkheads: I don’t like fishing near bulkheads. If you look at all of my favorite beaches including this one, the water ends where the forest begins. There’s no big concrete slab or mansion—just woods. Some of the trees provide structure at high tide, giving cutthroat a place to feed and hide.
4. Shellfish presence: This isn’t super visible in this screenshot, but I like areas where shellfish thrive and are farmed. Further out on this beach are hanging oyster bags, and cutthroat love the habitat they provide. Be warned, though—these nets, beds, and ropes will steal your flies.
5. Visible tidal changes: I look for a beach where the tide doesn’t just go up and down in a small area. There needs to be square footage for me, visible beach space that gets covered or uncovered as the tide changes, rather than a ledge or steep drop-off. The other thing is a good tide movement which we will cover in more detail next. Sure there are places where this will be proven wrong but I dont go searching for those places. 
6. Public Access: This part can be challenging. Growing up near the waters of Puget Sound, I had the privilege of knocking on doors and asking for permission to access private beaches—a strategy that still pays off. However, ensuring you have public accessis crucial. Fortunately, there are plenty of incredible public beaches in Puget Sound where the fishing is excellent. I highly recommend exploring all of them! 

Tides:

Hopefully, you're still reading—or maybe you're already out on the water, inspired by this bit of information about which types of beaches to fish. But if you've already gone out, checked all the boxes, and still caught zero fish, the tide might be the issue.

As mentioned earlier, some people swear by the outgoing tide as the best time to fish. Personally, I think that’s a bit of a blanket statement. Yes, the outgoing tide works great on certain beaches, but the incoming tide can be just as effective on others, and even slack tides can be productive in some areas. The key is monitoring the tides. Every time you go out, you need to know what the tide is doing because if you find success, you’ll want to replicate it!

Another crucial element is understanding where the tide "rips." A rip occurs when tidal movement creates strong currents,  easiest way to say it is the tides make a section of the beach look like a river. These rips are excellent spots for fish to feed as baitfish get caught in the flow.

Check the photo below where a buddy is standing on the edge of a particular beach—notice how the current is so strong it’s visibly pushing against his legs. These spots can be good!

You might also hear anglers talk about “good tides” or “soft tides.” Here’s the difference:

• Good Tides: For cutthroat fishing, a "good tide" usually refers to a big tidal exchange—a large difference between high and low tide. This creates strong water movement for a longer period, making fish more active and more likely to feed.
• Soft Tides: On the flip side, "soft tides" have a smaller exchange and less movement. There won’t be as much water shifting in and out, leading to a slower bite. While some areas may still produce fish during soft tides, they generally aren’t as productive as a bigger tidal movement.

The lesson here is simple: know the tides. When you experience a successful outing, take note of what the tide was doing, and build your strategy around similar conditions next time. Remember anytime on the water you will learn!  

Time of Year:

At this point, I’m convinced you can catch sea-run cutthroat almost year-round in Puget Sound. However, there is undoubtedly a prime time for targeting this species, and that’s during the fall and early winter. September is a stunning month in the Pacific Northwest. We still get days in the 70s with cool mornings, but as those warm days quickly become fewer, the cutthroat fishing really heats up!

From October through December, these are hands down my favorite months to fish for sea-run cutthroat. The water temperatures in Puget Sound begin to drop, and these fish cruise their nearshore domain more actively in search of a meal. They're more aggressive during this time, making for some truly epic fishing days. You can entice them with both topwater and subsurface flies, and as an added bonus, most of the algae that reduced visibility over the summer has cleared up with the cooler weather. This brings me to conditions where if you talk to people that truly fish cutthroat conditions can be everything!

Key Elements to Pay Attention To

This is crucial, so pay attention! Conditions are key, and there are several factors to keep in mind. You’ve already got tides down—keep paying attention to those. But weather is another important element. It’s not that you won’t catch fish on a sunny day (because you definitely can), but weather plays a significant role in your success.

You already know that October, November, and December are my favorite months for cutthroat fishing in Puget Sound, and those months aren’t exactly known for having the nicest weather. In fact, these months are typically grey, cloudy, rainy, and with a light wind—and that’s exactly what you want! If you asked me, I’d tell you to enjoy the sunny fall and winter days with your family—go for a hike, head to the beach, or run the dogs. But save those grey, cloudy, wet days for fishing.

That said, there are limits. Two conditions can ruin everything: too much rain and too much wind. Neither is necessarily a problem on its own, but they both affect water clarity, and that’s the main issue. Clarity is KING. Without good water visibility, you’re unlikely to have a great fishing experience.

• Heavy Rain: If it’s rained a crazy amount in the last three days, the chances of finding clear water are slim. Even with good tidal exchanges.
• Strong Wind: Wind-driven waves crashing against the shoreline will stir up mud, significantly reducing water clarity, which can make fishing difficult depending on the beach.

Remember, not all beaches are the same. Some might not react as dramatically to these elements as others, so take note of how different spots respond to rain and wind over time.

"Holy Smokes, How Am I Going to Remember All of This?"

That might be what you're thinking right now. And honestly, I’m probably leaving out a ton of information—but I have faith you’ll fill in the gaps. How will you do this? By taking notes! I know it might sound lame, but if you want to master this fishery, you have to become a student of it.

My OnX maps are full of beaches tagged with information on time of year, tides, weather, and clarity. Every time you have success, document it. And every time you don’t, document that too. Replicate the successes and learn from the failures. It sounds simple, but only a few people actually follow through.

This is a fishery where 95% of the fish are caught by 10% of the anglers, and the people who are consistently successful are the ones who remain students of the fish.

Now that we’ve given you some educational inspiration, I want to set expectations. A good day for me on Puget Sound is 30+ fish to the boat, typically split between two anglers over 4-5 hours. A great day is 50 fish. I share these numbers to show you just how epic this fishery can be and to emphasize that the information you've just absorbed is worth paying attention to.

Gear (Personal Favorites Not Sponsored or even Pro Staff) 

Fishermen are the lowest-paid consultants on the planet. Thankfully, I love what I do, and it’s amazing to hear stories of success after sharing information about these fisheries. That said, we’re a fly shop, and in order to keep the lights on and continue providing you with up-to-date insights, we need to sell gear.
Gear for Puget Sound doesn’t have to be complicated, and we’re here to make it as easy to understand as possible. 

First and foremost, you don’t need a saltwater-specific fly rod. That’s one of the most common questions we get, and the answer is simple: it’s not necessary. However, what is necessary is rinsing all your gear after every single use. Saltwater will destroy your equipment if you don’t take care of it! Alright this is my list of my favorite gear to use on Puget Sound. This is my recommendation, there are other options for success there is zero doubt about that.

    Rod: 

I'll be honest a lot of people recommend a 6wt and I don’t. The vast majority of the fish you will catch you will handle with ease on a 5wt. A 6wt is great if that’s what you have but I prefer the 5. Anything over a 6wt is overkill if you ask me. There are several others rods outside of my favorite I would also recommend. Sage Foundation, Sage R8, Winston Air 2, Echo Boost, Echo Ion XL. 

Douglas Sky G 5wt

My favorite rod for this fishery is the Douglas Sky G 5wt it is an exceptional rod choice for Puget Sound fishing, especially for targeting sea-run cutthroat. This rod combines power with finesse, making it ideal for long casts in windy conditions, a common challenge when fishing the Sound. Despite being a 5-weight, the Sky G’s fast action offers enough backbone to punch flies through gusts or to handle stronger fish like coho when needed.

• Why it works: The Sky G excels in delivering accurate casts at both short and long distances. Its lightweight construction also helps minimize fatigue, especially during longer days on the water. When chasing cutthroat in nearshore waters, you need a rod that can handle precise presentations as well as longer casts into tidal rips or to boiling fish further out, and this rod performs admirably in those scenarios.

Reels:

Lamson Speedster

The Lamson Speedster is known for its high retrieve rate, making it a perfect match for fast-moving fish like sea-run cutthroat and coho. Its narrow spool and large arbor design allow for rapid line pickup, which is essential when a fish makes a quick run toward you. The reel's lightweight construction pairs well with the Douglas Sky G rod, keeping your setup balanced for a long day of fishing.

• Why it works: The drag system is smooth and reliable, perfect for handling the quick runs of cutthroat without risking line breakage. Its durability also stands up to the harsh saltwater environment, especially if you rinse it after every trip.

Nautilus X-Series

The Nautilus X-Series reel is another top-tier option for Puget Sound fishing. Known for its minimalistic, lightweight design, it offers excellent performance with saltwater-resistant materials, making it a reliable choice for any saltwater angler. Its sealed carbon fiber disc drag system provides smooth stopping power, which is critical when you're battling aggressive fish in tidal currents.

• Why it works: The X-Series drag system is strong enough to handle larger species like coho while remaining light and easy to maneuver. With its corrosion-resistant features, it’s built to withstand Puget Sound’s salty environment, provided you give it a good rinse after each use.

Lines:

Choosing the right fly line for Puget Sound can make or break your day on the water. Here’s why each of the lines you mentioned serves a specific purpose:

Floating Outbound Short – Rio

The Floating Outbound Short from Rio is a great line for the vast majority of my Puget Sound fishing and when you need to cast heavier flies this line makes it a breeze. Its short, aggressive front taper allows you to deliver flies at a distance even when facing wind, a frequent occurrence in Puget Sound. This line excels when you’re fishing surface patterns and when you a quick response to a fish jumping.

• Why it works: The floating line keeps your fly in the top water column, ideal for shallow flats or when fish are actively hunting. It also loads fast rods like the Douglas Sky G efficiently, letting you cast further with fewer false casts.

Full Intermediate – Scientific Anglers

The Full Intermediate line from Scientific Anglers is a versatile line for Puget Sound. This line is designed to sink slowly, making it perfect for fishing just below the surface where cutthroat and coho often feed. It allows your fly to stay in the strike zone longer, which is crucial when fishing areas with varying depths or tidal flows. Intermediate lines are especially useful in areas with a bit of current but where you don’t need to get your fly deep.

• Why it works: This line offers excellent control in the water, sinking just below the surface while still providing enough sensitivity to detect subtle takes. It’s a go-to for small baitfish  and shrimp patterns when you want to keep your fly in the middle of the water column, just where the fish are cruising. This line is also very durable!

Sink Tip – Scientific Anglers Titan Sink Tip

The Titan Sink Tip from Scientific Anglers is the powerhouse for getting your fly down into deeper waters or through fast-moving currents. This line is perfect for fishing in areas with strong tidal flows or deeper water, where fish like cutthroat or salmon are holding. The heavy tip helps the fly sink quickly, while the floating rear section allows for easy line control and mending. I far prefer this line to sticking a sink tip on my outbound short and you will too!

• Why it works: The sink tip helps you get your fly to the right depth in fast-moving water, which is often necessary when fish are feeding deeper, especially during slack tides or in channels. It’s especially effective when fishing from a boat!

• Rod: The Douglas Sky G 5wt offers the perfect blend of finesse and power, making it versatile enough to handle everything from cutthroat to small coho.
• Reel: Both the Lamson Speedster and Nautilus X-Series are lightweight, durable, and designed to handle the demands of this type of saltwater fishing, offering smooth drag systems and quick line retrieval for battling fast-moving fish.
• Lines: Having the right line for the situation is key. Whether you need a floating line for surface action, an intermediate line for subsurface exploration, or a sink tip for deeper runs, this setup covers all bases in Puget Sound.

Leader and Tippet

Stop overspending on tapered leaders and tippet. In Puget Sound, this is a presentation-in-the-water fishery, not a presentation-to-the-water fishery. All you need is Maxima Ultragreen or Maxima Clear in 6, 8, or 10 lb test—they all work great. These fish aren’t leader shy, so there's no need for anything fancy.

Depending on the fly line you’re using and the beach you’re fishing, I recommend using a leader length ranging from 7 to 9 feet.

Flies

At Spawn Fly Fish, we pay respect to those who paved the way for our success, but when it comes to the vise, we fish flies that we’ve created. There are many great patterns out there that will perform well, but we like to stick with what works for us.
Some of my favorites include the Simple Shrimp, Steamboat Island Leech, Peach Bum, and the General Gurgler. While flies like the Clouser, Delia Conehead Squid, Miyawaki Popper, and Flash Drive all have their place, we don’t typically fish them ourselves.

The beauty of Puget Sound is that almost every angler who fishes and ties flies has their own secret weapon. We just happen to share ours as much as we can!

Steamboat Island Leech

This is an absolute must-have pattern. Named after the Island I grew up next to in Puget Sound, the Steamboat Island Leech is designed to be fished in both shallow water, where it can bounce along the bottom, or in the mid-water column. Its enticing movement and distinct peach coloration make it irresistible to cutthroat. Whether you're fishing on a sandy beach or near structure, this fly’s action will have every cutthroat in the area coming in for a strike.

Simple Shrimp

The Simple Shrimp is a pattern anyone can tie, and it’s one of the most effective flies for sea run cutthroat. Shrimp are a staple in the diet of many Puget Sound fish, including cutthroat. The Simple Shrimp's realistic appearance and movement mimic a shrimp perfectly. Whether you’re fishing near eelgrass beds or over rocky bottoms, this fly is an essential in any Puget Sound fly box. Plus, it’s a great pattern for anglers at all skill levels to tie and fish. It is also light in weight which is great depending on the beach you’re fishing!

Peach Bum

Designed by Spawn Fly Fish owner Pete Rosenau, the Peach Bum is a game-changer. The combination of rabbit fur and a Spawn Jig Shank gives this fly an insane amount of movement in the water, driving fish absolutely crazy. The Peach Bum excels in the mid-column, where its natural pulsing motion attracts attention it can also hit the bottom with ease allowing the fish to come take a closer look without snagging. This is a go-to fly for aggressive fish looking for a bigger meal, and it's a proven winner when targeting cutthroat and other species.

One Last Thing on Flies: The Chum Fry "Hatch"

One important aspect to cover in terms of flies, which is widely discussed in most fly fishing books, is hatches. While Puget Sound doesn't have many traditional insect hatches like in freshwater rivers and lakes, we do have one key event that resembles a hatch: the Chum Fry outmigration.

Though not a true "hatch" in the classic sense, the outmigration of chum salmon fry from the rivers to the ocean creates one of the most exciting and visually stunning times of year for fly fishing in Puget Sound. As these fry move along the shoreline, they are relentlessly pursued by hungry sea-run cutthroat trout. It's not uncommon to see thousands of fry getting busted at the surface, as cutthroat gorge themselves on these small baitfish.

I believe there's a strong correlation between the health of chum salmon runs and the quality of sea-run cutthroat fishing. In years when the chum runs are strong, cutthroat fishing tends to be phenomenal.

This event offers some of the most exciting fishing opportunities in Puget Sound. The visual spectacle of fish chasing fry across the surface, coupled with aggressive strikes, makes it an incredibly fun time to be on the water.

If I am being honest a wooly bugger will do the trick this time of year but as a tier thats no longer as fun and we’ve designed several chum fry patterns to match this unique hatch. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the fishery, fishing the chum fry outmigration is something you don’t want to miss!

Fishpond Nomad Mid-Length Net

In Puget Sound, a net is essential. While it doesn’t need to be anything fancy, the Fishpond Nomad Mid-Length Net is my favorite choice for this fishery. The mid-length design is perfect for giving you the reach needed to land fish while wading, without being too cumbersome.

One of the standout features is that it floats, which is a game-changer when wading in the unpredictable waters of Puget Sound. You won’t have to worry about losing it if you set it down momentarily or drop it while fighting a fish. The net’s lightweight, carbon fiber construction makes it durable yet easy to carry all day, and its large basket ensures you’ll have no problem landing anything from sea-run cutthroat to the occasional coho.

Whether you’re fishing solo or with a partner, the Fishpond Nomad Mid-Length Net is a dependable tool to help you land more fish efficiently and safely.

Ahrex Flexi Stripper

For years, I got by without using a stripping basket, and you can too. However, I will tell you that using one will undoubtedly increase your chances of success. In this fishery, everything can come together in a matter of moments, and being able to present a fly quickly is key. The Ahrex Flexi Stripper allows you to keep your fly line neatly coiled around its pegs, ready to cast at a moment's notice, without the hassle of untangling it from the water.

Apps: 

I won’t go into too much detail here, but there are a couple of tools that will make your life much easier. Until Spawn can provide everything you need, you'll want to download two must-have apps: Windy and OnX.

Windy gives you real-time and forecasted wind information, helping ensure both effective and safe fishing. OnX—though a bit pricey—is an incredible app that provides landowner information, so you’ll always know where you stand and can identify public beaches. On top of that, you can mark fishing spots and add all the notes and information I recommended earlier. These apps are game-changers!

Casting, Retrieving, and Hooking Fish in Puget Sound

We’re nearly done with this write-up, and by now, you should have a solid foundation of knowledge that will bring you closer to success in fishing Puget Sound. You’ve got the gear and the spots, but the final piece is learning how to cast and retrieve your fly effectively.

In Puget Sound, covering water is essential. A short roll cast just won’t cut it here—you need to be able to double haul with ease. I’m not saying you have to cast 100 feet, but you’ll need to become a competent caster to reach fish consistently. It won’t happen overnight, but the demands of Puget Sound will push you to improve, and you’ll figure it out with time and practice!

Once you get your cast dialed in, the next step is to convince the fish to take a bite. When your fly hits the water, pause for a second, then take a couple of short strips, and pause again. I like to think of it as making the fly “dance.” This movement often coaxes cutthroat into striking. These fish won’t always smash a fly right away—they sometimes need a little convincing.

Continue to retrieve the fly, varying your speeds and adding pauses. Watch closely for cutthroat to swim behind the fly before grabbing it. If a fish follows all the way to the boat and doesn’t bite, get your fly right back in the water as quickly as possible. Sometimes they’ll take another shot at it!

Covering a Beach

Once you’ve added all of this to your repertoire, you can focus on effectively covering a beach.

From shore, I like to start by casting parallel to the beach after wading out a bit. This can be a great way to pick up any cutthroat that are hanging close to shore looking for an easy meal. After that, I fan out my casts, covering as much water as possible. And if you see a fish jump—always cast to it.

From a boat, I usually cast directly toward shore, aiming for the spots where freshwater runoff meets the Sound. After casting toward the beach, I’ll start spreading my casts in different directions, probing every angle for fish. Drifting with the current allows you to cover water efficiently. If we pick up a few fish or notice follows, we’ll often reset at the beginning of the beach and drift it again.

One more tip: if your buddy hooks up, don’t rush for the net right away. Instead, cast near where they hooked the fish. Often, there’s another cutthroat in the area, and you can double up! Chaos on the water is a good thing—invite it! 

Final Thoughts on Fishing Puget Sound

Fishing Puget Sound is a rewarding but challenging endeavor that requires the right combination of knowledge, gear, technique and time on the water. With the insights shared here, you’re equipped with a strong foundation to find success in this unique fishery.

From selecting the right gear—like the versatile Douglas Sky G 5wt rod, reliable reels, and the appropriate fly lines—to understanding the importance of tides, water clarity, and weather, every element plays a role in your success. Choosing the right flies, like the Steamboat Island Leech, Peach Bum, or Simple Shrimp, and using them effectively is key to enticing these fish to strike. Remember to cast efficiently, cover water, and vary your retrieve to get the most out of every outing.

This fishery will test your casting and patience, but with practice and attention to detail, you'll discover why so many anglers are passionate about Puget Sound.

Keep exploring new beaches, pay attention to conditions, take notes, and continue refining your approach. Success here is earned, and the payoff is epic.
So, grab your gear, hit the water, and embrace the adventure.

Puget Sound is waiting, and the fish are out there.

Written by Josh Phillips