Feb. 27th 2009 Report

Saltwater:
Area 8.1, 8.2, and 9 Blackmouth:

While Blackmouth fishing remains fair in Saratoga Passage and southern Area 9 the Blackmouth seem to be starting there out migration. Traditionally by the first week of March you will see the inside waters start to slow and places like Mid Channel Bank, Port Angeles, and Sekiu will pick up. In the mean time there are still fish being caught at Baby Island, Elger Bay, the Race Track, and Possession with most guys Trolling "White Lightning Coho Killers" behind your Flasher of choice. Best results will come fishing in 90-120 ft of water with your gear fished within 10 ft of the bottom.

We have a new Flasher from Hot Spot that is already proving to be a consistent producer on Winter Blackmouth. It's the only one that I know of that has both UV and Glow built into it. "Jelly Crush UV Glow"

Smelt:
Smelt has proven to be very inconsistent lately. We had a customer that stopped at Everett, La Connor, and Cornet Bay without success only to find good fishing at Oak Harbor.

Freshwater:

While steelheading has been a bust this year if there was going to be a time to go this would be it. Finally some rain is falling and lord knows the rivers need it. I expect things to really pick up here as the rivers come up. It won't take much water to get these fish going. The Sky will be closed Sunday so Saturday is your last good shot locally at the returning Wild Steelhead. The fish are there and I expect fair fishing these last couple of days. Starting Sunday the Sauk and Skagit are your only bets locally. Look for a report in a couple of days from up there.


The coastal streams finally got a shot of water but it was hardly the amount that we needed. Though it did bring in a few fish and catches increased some. We still need some water and with it should come a push of Wild Steelhead into the Hoh and Sol Duc and get things going. March is the traditional peak of the run on the coast and I wouldn't expect anything different this year. The Hoh and Sol Duc are the places to be for the remainder of the season.

Good Luck
Ted's Staff