The Kitsap Peninsula, truly a saltwater fly anglers paradise, encompasses lands from the southerly reaches starting at the Tacoma Narrows bridge, the Key Peninsula, and North Hood Canal areas which consist of all land bordering the eastern side of Hood Canal. This wide swath of land continues north eventually ending at one of the most scenic lighthouse beaches in Washington State – Point No Point County Park. The peninsula is a broad area consisting of bays, points, lagoons, estuar
ies, inlets and as many near shore salt water fly fishing options an angler can find just about anywhere. The Kitsap Peninsula sits in the shadow of the famous Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park – which has it’s own reputation as a great fly fishing destination. Anglers may not know that they are driving right through some of the best and easiest accessed shore based saltwater fly fishing opportunities available.
A great starting point is to check out the Visit Kitsap website for details on what to do besides fly fishing – yes I know it’s hard to believe, but there are actually are a ton more outdoor recreation activities to pursue besides fly fishing on the Kitsap Peninsula.
Beach anglers have numerous options for public land access throughout the peninsula. Anglers have multiple species to pursue including Sea-Run Cutthroat trout, both resident and migratory Coho salmon, resident Chinook salmon(aka blackmouth) and migratory Chinook salmon available throughout the year. Sea-Run Cutthroat are open year round in the marine waters in Puget Sound and Hood Canal and offer saltwater anglers a great fly fishing opportunity.
Point No Point County park resides at the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula and is a great fishery throughout the summer and into fall when Coho salmon are present. Anglers looking to tie into a fiesty ocean run Coho should target them from July – October. Look for anglers lining the beaches and find a spot to fit it. However, there are key areas where anglers will experience success here – can you say find the rip. A rip is a current seam, where fast moving water meets slow, generally on the lee side of a point where baitfish tend to stack up and so do the salmon. Coho like moving current, so finding that combination of moving current and a current rip is an anglers best shot at finding aggressive Coho. Don’t be surprised if you tie into blackmouth or mature Chinook salmon here either – particularly at first or last light as they move closer into shore chasing baitfish.
Eglon Access – a great little access spot for anglers looking to pursue migratory Coho salmon in the summer and fall months. Access is gained off the Hansville Highway, and then a right on Eglon Rd., and follow it till you see the boat launch on your left. Best fished on a lower tide, since it gives anglers the ability fish over the ledge and eel grass beds. Anglers who are into hiking can hike North or South along the beach and find even more access if your willing to put in the work. There is also a nice boat launch for small to medium sized boats here. Beware however, the tidelands flatten right out and you may not get your boat back on your trailer if you time the tide wrong.
Salisbury County Park offers shore bound and boat based anglers a jumping off point. Coho salmon start making a showing here around mid-summer and anglers start lining the shore once the season opens around August. There is a nice developed boat launch at this location, and offers anglers a great shot to fish multiple areas by boat. Sea-run cutthroat will also be present at certain times on the beaches surrounding this park.
Shine Tidelands State Park – although not on the Kitsap Peninsula proper it resides just across the Hood Canal bridge and directly across from Salisbury County Park. This park offers anglers a decent cutthroat beach and when migratory salmon area making their way into Hood Canal a decent shot at intercepting some of these find specimens. The park actually extends north and encompasses the shoreline all the way towards Bywater Bay State Park. Bywater Bay is one of the lesser known access points for anglers and beach enthusiasts.
Kitsap Memorial State Park – this fine park is great for a family outing and also the option to add some fly fishing in the mix. Anglers have a nice 1/4 mile stretch of beach to fish here, and cutthroat tend to hang on this beach. I haven’t experience big numbers of fish here, but they are present from time to time. A nice Oyster Bed adds to the attraction and allure for Sea-Run Cutthroat.
Fay Bainbridge State Park – this nice little state park sits on Puget Sound on the eastside of Bainbridge Island. Fly anglers here have a shot at migratory Coho and the possibility of tying into a Chinook salmon. Cutthroat will occasionally visit the area also, and anglers have a shot at them. There is a rough boat launch for car topper sized boats or kayaks.
The Kitsap Peninsula is a really large area to fish, the opportunities are endless. Grab a map, check out google earth, saddle up those waders, a few fly patterns and head off fishing – it might seem daunting at first but over time 
this fishery will prove its worthiness.
Capt. Chad Gillespie
Fjord Fly Fishing
www.fjordflyfishing.com
chad@fjordflyfishing.com
Sea-run Cutthroat guided boat adventures on the Kitsap Peninsula; including Hood Canal and Puget Sound
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