I have to admit, I have definitely been slacking with my blog writing the last few months. It seems it is a very busy time in life with family, fishing, hunting, crabbing – does the list every stop! All good things happening for sure around the Hood Canal and Puget Sound area, and plenty of options available for the outdoor enthusiast!
I feel extremely grateful that I live in such a diverse area with lots of options available the angler. December brings the holiday season, cool weather, steelhead and of course our year round Searun cutthroat fishing opportunity that is luckily always available year round. We need to make sure to 
take care of this special species, so it continues to provide anglers with a healthy and viable year round catch and release fishery. It is a unique, one-of-a-kind fishery that exists only on the west coast of North America. So much great research is being conducted by the Coastal Cutthroat Coalition that allows anglers, conservationists and research biologists to make educated management decisions. Please consider supporting this great group.
December is one heck of a great month to try your luck at Sea-Run Cutthroat fishing. The water has cleared up some due to the algae dying off, and this can make for some great sight fishing if you happen to be fishing from an elevated position on a boat. You are not so much actually identifying and casting to cruising fish, but rather seeing them chase your fly down out of a their hiding spots within bottom structure – this can be quite exciting.
Olympic Peninsula Steelhead
Anglers minds are undoubtedly focused on steelhead this time of year, and hatchery runs of steelhead are available on many Olympic Peninsula streams. One of the most successful ways to chase after these fish is to nymph fish them with a tandem glo bug or yarn combination, just as you would river trout. Swinging for steel is also a great option, and nothing beats the tug of a steelhead on the end of you line. The best resource to book a guide for steelhead or find out more information is Waters West Fly Shop in Port Angeles. Dave Steinbaugh is the owner and a super knowledgeable individual regarding what to use and where to go to chase steelhead on the OP.
Christmas Island Fly Fishing
Thinking some warm weather fly fishing this year? Well, I happen to be a host in training with Reds Fly Shop and their Christmas Island trip to The Villages this year. I will be spending a week on Christmas Island chasing Bonefish, Giant Travaily, Blue Fin Trevally and many other species on this tropical island destination. Reds Fly Shop books numerous destination travel trips around the world. The May 2018 trip is full, but if you are interested in booking a trip with me and Reds Fly Shop in 2019 the dates area already set. Go here for more information on booking a trip with Reds Fly Shop to Christmas Island!
Can yo believe the size of that Giant Trevally in that picture! Wading knee deep in warm tropical warm is certainly something that sounds really good right now, especially after the last few weeks of cold weather here in the Seattle area. I am anxiously awaiting this trip.
Want to fly fishing Hood Canal this winter/early spring? Give me a call, text or email about booking a trip. I am happy to fill you in on any details or questions you may have. Happy Holidays and keep in touch!
Capt. Chad Gillespie
Fjord Fly Fishing