Fjord Fly fishing has had some excellent Sea-Run Cutthroat fly fishing on Hood Canal recently. The Sea-Run Cutthroat are once again putting on some weight after returning to the saltwater from their spawning runs, and appea
r to be healthy as ever. This nice cutthroat is one of the largest caught on my boat in the last few years – 23 inches long and a football in appearance – healthy as ever.
I frequently get asked the question, How big do Sea-Run Cutthroat get”? Well, let’s say that a fish over 20 inches is becoming more common, but still a trophy in the realm of a sea-run trout. Remember, these are trout that live in a saltwater environment and offering perhaps one of the most unique fly fishing opportunities around.
On Hood Canal, we have been catching and releasing good numbers of fish recently. On average, an each angler with basic casting skills on the boat has been able to hook and land around a dozen willing and aggressive SRC’s, with that many more being missed with short strikes or just came unhooked. Sea-Run Cutthroat vary in size, some pods of fish are grouped with smaller fish and some with larger. Larger Sea-Run Cutthroat seem to travel in groups. Just a few weeks ago, some clients got into a nice pod of larger than average SRC ranging from 16-19 inches long. There were some truly beautiful fish in the mix. However, earlier in the day the pod of fish we were on averaged in 12 inch size.
What’s the best tide to fish for Sea-run Cutthroat? Well, this is all relative to the beach you are fishing. i prefer to fish the incoming tide through the high tide, when guiding clients. This gives the best overall option at fishing numerous beaches that are productive. Some beaches will fish well on the outgoing and some will fish better on the incoming. It’s all about spending enough time on the water to learn each individual beach well enough, so you know when the fish will show up.
Sea-Run Cutthroat move with the tides, so what we found one day most likely will change the next – keeps it exciting that way!
Questions, or would you like to book a guided fly fishing adventure? Give Fjord Fly Fishing a call at 509-591-2029 or email chad@fjordflyfishing.com