Fly Fishing Washington State:

It’s an old question. If you only had these five things for the rest of your life what would you chose? When it comes to places to fly fish in Washington State it is a hard choice to make for me since there are so many great spots. I decided I would break it down by bodies of water. Washington State is a great place to fly fish because you can chose between lakes, rivers, creeks, streams, and the Salt Water. This gives you a very large number of places and species of fish to chose from. Below I’ve listed my favorite lake, river, stream, spot in the salt water, and my favorite all around place to fly fish.

Lakes

Lake Fenwick is my favorite lake. I almost always fly fish either from shore or from a floattube. Because of this I prefer smaller lakes. Lake Fenwick is only 17 acres and maybe 20 to 30 feet deep. It is also open year around. I also like fly fishing for different species of fish when conditions allow for it. Lake Fenwick allows you to use two rods. So, if it is warm enough (basically mid-Spring through mid-Fall) I will bring one rod with a floating line and one with an intermediate sinking line.

Lake Fenwick has stocked Rainbows, some impressively big Large Mouth Bass, Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and Bullhead Catfish, all of which will take a fly. The east and north side of the lake is very brushy with lots of sunken logs and trees.

In the early Spring and Fall this is a great spot to find Rainbows. Similar flies and techniques that I’ve mentioned work here as well. Later in the Spring and Summer Large Mouth Bass (sometimes several pounds) Black Crappie, Sunfish, and Yellow Perch are all possible. The north end of the lake is a great spot, but there is a rope swing on there so there can be a lot of swimmers in the water when the weather is warm enough.

The pier is on the North east end of the lake, which can also be crowded at times too. The south end has a lot houses with docks which is a good place to find Large Mouth Bass and sometimes Bullhead Catfish too.

They do have a public boat launch though, but I believe it is an electric motors only lake now. Even still, with its small size most of the lake can be fly fished easily with a float tube or pontoon boat.

Rivers

The Yakima River is one of the most famous trout rivers on the west coast and possibly in the United States. It too is open all year. The fish are most active in the Spring and Fall, but big Westlope Cutthroats can be caught on flies in the Summer and Winter as well. And it is relatively accessible with lots of bank access, runs that can be floated in a Pontoon Boat, and very good and constant updates about the fishing conditions. Also, if you are up for exploring the upper, middle, and lower parts of the river, in addition to the big Westlope Cutts there are also Salmon, Steelhead, Whitefish, and in the lower section Large and Small Mouth bass.

Streams

Rocky Ford Creek is one of the bodies of water that I probably have fly fished the most. I used to fly fish all the great spots along Highway 17 and I always tried to hit Rocky Ford Creek every time I did. Since it is a Spring Creek the fly fishing there for really large Rainbow Trout is always potentially good since they are active all year.

Salt Water

Bellingham Bay and Whatcom County might seem like an odd choice, but as far as Salt Water goes I have fly fished it the most and know it the best. And when it is an odd year and the Pink Salmon are in it can be really great fishing. Even years can be great too for Chum Salmon, Coho, flounders, Sea Run Cutts, and various bottom fish.

Best All Around

My Secret Stream is my favorite spot. It has both giant Rainbows and Browns. Once it opens in June I always try and make several trips over there until it closes in October. I wish I could share its location, but I know that would make a lot of fly fishers in Washington State pretty angry. Crab Creek is well known and a great alternative though.