Washington Report/Forecast for August

Washington Rivers in General

What to Expect in August:

Trout. August is always a tough month for trout anglers. There are five good reasons for this:

1. High water temperature increases a trout's metabolism to the point where it's more wired than an espresso junkie; they'll spook very easily.
2. Warm water also holds less oxygen, so fish are stressed.

bblBright, sunny days make fish feel exposed, plus fishing pressure has made them wary.

1. Trout have spent May, June, and July gorging on salmonflies, caddis, PMDs, etc.; they're not hungry.
2. There are no big, intense hatches.

What do you have? Trout that have no reason to expose or exert themselves in the search for food. They seek deeper, cooler, darker water. Or undercut banks, the shelter of overhanging tree branches, crevices alongside rocks, or other places that make them feel safe.

So seek your fish in the early morning hours and at dusk.Look for water that doesn't have the sun on it. Midday, take a siesta and rest your casting arm. Or, if you're fishing a river that has a bankside population of hoppers, cast a hopper pattern with a nymph on a 24-30 inch dropper. Above all, resign yourself to the fact that the trout are going to be moody and will play hard-to-get.

The primary hatches in August are caddis and midges. Both will be small: size 16-18 for the former, size 20-22 for the latter. Some waters, such as Rocky Ford, have tricos--a size 22-24 bug.

Later in the month, longer and (we hope) cooler nights may improve fishing. As the water cools, trout will increasingly target large stonefly nymphs in rivers that have them. Evening midge and caddis activity will continue to be important.

Steelhead. This can also be a tough month for steelheaders. Rivers are low and clear. Very low. Very clear. And warm. You'll probably do best if you're on the river at 4:30 a.m. and leave by 9:00 a.m.. You're not going to catch many August steelhead if you keep banker's hours.

A useful noontime activity is to climb the banks above the river, if the geography permits it. With the advantage of height you can often spot fish; they'll still be there in the evening, but they'll be more likely to bite when the light's off the water. Even if you don't see any fish, you can understand the structure of a run much better because the rocks, slots, and ledges become clear in your mind. You'll gain a better idea of how to fish it. You might even discover some new, productive run that you didn't know existed.

Washington Lakes in General

What to Expect in August:

Most eastside lakes are too warm for good fishing in August, and many low-elevation westside lakes are weedy. Your choices are to head for the mountain lakes of the Cascades or wait for September. If you head into the Cascades, you won't need a big arsenal of flies. Size 10 olive Woolly Buggers, some midge pupa patterns, size 14-16 Timberline Emergers, Griffiths Gnats, size 14-18 Parachute Adams, and some beetles and ants will go a long ways on these lakes. You may also encounter hatches of Callibaetis mayflies on some lakes.

Amber Lake

What to Expect in August:

Amber is too hot to fish at this time of year. It may start to bounce back if the weather cools off a little. Waterboatman patterns and immature damselfly nymphs are good choices when that happens.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Lakes in General report. See the Amber Lake report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Bogachiel River

What to Expect in August:

When rain comes, the Bogie can be a good choice for steelheaders. But that will be an unusual event in August. In general, expect low, clear water.

If the levels are low, use a thin leader (8-pound or less), approach and cast carefully, try to spot fish before casting to them, concentrate your efforts during the low-light times of day. Use traditional patterns, such as Skunks, Green Butt Skunks, and Muddlers, in smaller sizes (6-10) and traditional tactics.

Sea-run cutthroat will be moving into the Bogachiel this month, with the numbers dependent on how much rain falls. When pursuing sea-runs, use bright size 8-10 streamers or Spruce flies. Retrieve them through slack water, backeddies, or slow water that is overhung by alders. You can also pick up sea-runs on nymphs, such as beadhead Pheasant Tails or Cased Caddis.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Bogachiel River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Calawah River

What to Expect in August:

If August is dry and the river becomes low and clear, use a thin leader (8-pound or less), approach and cast carefully, try to spot fish before casting to them, concentrate your efforts during the low-light times of day. Use traditional patterns, such as Skunks, Muddlers, and Green Butt Skunks, in smaller sizes (6-10) and traditional tactics.

If we get some rain, you can expect more sea-run cutthroat to move into the Calawah this month. When pursuing sea-runs, use bright size 8-10 streamers or Spruce flies. Retrieve them through slack water, backeddies, or slow water that is overhung by alders. You can also pick up sea-runs on nymphs, such as beadhead Pheasant Tails or Cased Caddis.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Calawah River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Dry Falls Lake

What to Expect in August:

The Columbia Basin just gets too hot in August, and trout get too stressed. Give the fish a rest here this month.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Lakes in General report. See the Dry Falls Lake report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Grande Ronde River

What to Expect in August:

Too early for steelhead. Next month, however, there may be some fish to catch. Look for good smallmouth bass fishing near the mouth.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Grande Ronde River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Hoh River

What to Expect in August:

The Hoh is not normally a good August choice. Warm weather causes glacial melting, which makes the river too murky to fish. However, it's always possible that we could have a week or so of cool weather (possible, not likely). If so, and the river is clear enough for decent fishing, use small, dark flies and thin (8-pound or less tippets). If it is silty but fishable, use large dark flies and a heavier tippet. If you wade in up to your knees and can't see the tops of your boots, forget it.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Hoh River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Kalama River

What to Expect in August:

The lower five miles of the river--from the Red Barn Hole on down to the mouth--is the most popular section, but you can find hatchery fish throughout the river because WDFW is letting fish go up higher.

Fish during morning and evening hours and focus on runs near fast, aerated water, pools, or places that offer shelter and security, such as near rocks, ledges, logs, and high banks. Approach fish with care; steelhead will be spooky when the water is low and clear. If a rainy spell comes along, hit the river a couple of days after the rain stops.

A few early coho salmon may enter the river near the end of the month, but most of the Kalama's coho arrive in two spurts: the first week and a half of September and early October.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Kalama River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Klickitat River

What to Expect in August:

The Klickitat holds a fine run of summer steelhead, but fishing is entirely dependent on the weather: if it's hot, Klickitat Glacier (Mt. Adams) sends a load of silt down the river and fishing becomes impossible. Cool weather, however, can improve visibility to two or three feet, which is about as good as it gets here in the summer. If we have a cool spell where the temperatures are below 80 for several days and nights are cool, the Klickitat could clear and be good. Get there quick, though, because it won't last.

The Klickitat has a mix of water types. Some runs are well suited to traditional tactics, while others fish well with indicator tactics. Hwy 142 follows the river for about 15 miles, offering plenty of public access and good wading. You can also drift this section, but be sure to take out by the Fisher Mill boat access; the lower three miles is not driftable. The canyon stretch above Wahkiacus requires a boat.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Klickitat River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Lake Lenore

What to Expect in August:

Too hot. Give it a rest and let the fish recover.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Lakes in General report. See the Lake Lenore report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Lenice, Nunnally, Merry Lakes

What to Expect in August:

Too hot. Give it a rest and let the fish recover.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Lakes in General report. See the Lenice, Nunnally, Merry Lakes report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Lewis River, East Fork

What to Expect in August:

The East Fork is rarely a good August option due to low, clear water. However, if we get a summer rainstorm that raises the river a half foot and puts a little color in the water, this could be a good stream for a few days.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Lewis River, East Fork report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Merrill Lake

What to Expect in August:

Hexagenias continue to hatch at Merrill Lake. By August, Merrill's Hexagenias are running smaller than many of the patterns you'll find in fly shops (if indeed you can find any by August). Use size 8-10 Quigley Cripples, Hexagenia Paradrakes, or Sparkle Duns for surface patterns. A Burks Hexagenia makes a good nymph imitation. The hatch lasts until after dark and offers good shots at rainbow and brown trout that can weigh a couple of pounds.

In the evenings, you may also find Callibaetis and caddis on the water. If you're there for the Hexagenias, try putting a size 16 Elk Hair Caddis on a 24-inch dropper leader tied off the hook bend of your Hexagenia imitation. Trout might take either fly.

In two or three weeks you can expect to find termites on the water. They're blown out of the trees or land on the water while flying around (they're clumsy flyers). Try casting an Ant pattern in size 10-12 with a rust body.

Because trout have spent the past month gorging on Hexagenias, they will not be terribly hungry until dusk. Once the Hex hatch fades, trout will be interested in dining at other hours of the day.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Lakes in General report. See the Merrill Lake report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Queets River

What to Expect in August:

If the nights get cooler, the Queets could start to clear up a bit and fishing for summer steelhead will improve. Otherwise, go elsewhere.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Queets River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Rocky Ford Creek

What to Expect in August:

Hoppers, olive or orange scud imitations, and tricos, along with a few damselfly adults, will provide most of the action this month. Tie on a Parachute Hopper or whatever your favorite pattern is. Cast it near the cattails and grassy banks. Impart some action to your fly. Beetles and ants are also good choices.

Tricos will be active in the morning hours. Carry a Sprout Midge or size 22 black Sparkle Dun for hatches, and a size 20-22 Polywing Spinner or CDC Biot Spinner for spinner falls.

Flashback Callibaetis nymphs (size 16-18) and are worth casting, too.

You may find hatches of size 16-20 midges in various colors.

Access is tricky due to weed growth along the banks. Watch for rattlesnakes.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Rocky Ford Creek report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Skagit River

What to Expect in August:

Some dolly varden may be available in the Sauk system near the Suiattle River later this month. Use silver or white streamers in large sizes, such as 2. Sea-run cutthroat may arrive in the lower Skagit later in August, especially if there's some rainy weather.

Some sea-run cutthroat may arrive at the mouth of the river and in tidewater. Expect more if we get a substantial rainfall. Coho will not be far behind.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Skagit River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Skykomish River

What to Expect in August:

When the Sky gets low and clear, opt for long leaders and small flies. Small Marabous and Woolly Buggers are good choices for traditional tactics. Stonefly nymphs (Rubber Legs, Kaufmanns Stonefly, etc.) work well if you're using indicator tactics. Low water is going to push steelhead into pockets, slots, and holes, and indicator fishing reaches those spots well.

It's August, and weekends will be busy times. You can expect to run into vacationers who are not serious anglers and have no knowledge of angling etiquette. That's life close to a major metro area. The only solution is to fish very early in the morning or go somewhere else or don't fish on the weekend.

Campgrounds on both forks fill up very quickly, and most spots have already been reserved for weekends. If you're not there first thing Friday morning, you'll be out of luck.

Sea-run cutthroat will be entering the river later this month (they follow the salmon) and can be caught in the lower reaches and the Snohomish.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Skykomish River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Snoqualmie Basin

What to Expect in August:

You might find some steelhead in the stretch near Carnation, below the Tolt River. Also, between Neel Road and the Falls, and the two miles below Tokul Creek. However, with the arrival of summer conditions, most steelhead will stack up in a few deep holes and won't come out until there's some rain.

Some sea-run cutthroat will arrive in the lower river this month. More sea-runs will arrive when (if?) we get some rain; they follow the salmon upriver.

The middle and north fork are usually very low and clear at this time of year. The best fishing is from 7:00 p.m.to dark. When trout fishing here in August, use small attractors, such as Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams, Royal Wulffs, etc. Bring Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, and Prince nymphs for subsurface probes. A Soft Hackle can be very productive when fished in the riffles of these small streams.

Terrestrial patterns are another good August choice on the forks. Try some of Jeff Morgan's beetle patterns as detailed in Meeting the Late Summer Challenge. A beetle with a size 16 Sparkle Pupa or Brassie on a trailing leader tied to the hook bend can be deadly when cast to slow (but moving) water that is over two feet deep and is overhung with tree branches.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Snoqualmie Basin report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Sol Duc River

What to Expect in August:

When we get rain, the Sol Duc can be an excellent August steelhead choice. Of course, we might not get any rain in August.

You can camp at Sol Duc Hot Springs, then hike upriver and fish. Both steelhead and sea-run cutthroat should be available. When you're done pursuing them, return to the campground and soak your casting arm and leg muscles in the Hot Springs. That's not a bad life.

The Sol Duc's summer steelhead are more scattered than the fish in the Calawah and Bogachiel. As on all rivers, small flies and light leaders will be needed due to low, clear water.

Sea-run cutthroat will be moving into the system this month. When pursuing sea-runs, use bright size 8-10 streamers or Spruce flies. Retrieve them through slack water, backeddies, or slow water that is overhung by alders. You can also pick up sea-runs on nymphs, such as beadhead Pheasant Tails or Cased Caddis.

This river gets the earliest run of coho on the Peninsula, and some could move into the river in late August if we get some rain.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Sol Duc River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Spokane River

What to Expect in August:

Look for trout in deeper pockets, near bubbly water, and by springs and other cool inflows. The river on the east side of town is too hot. Concentrate on the first couple of miles downstream from the Maple Street bridge; springs add cooler water.

Your best fishing will be from sunrise until 10:00 a.m. (at the latest) and from 6:00 p.m. (at the earliest) to dark. Most of the action will be to surface patterns and emergers: Soft Hackles in size 14-18, CDC Caddis, and adult caddis patterns (Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Caddis, etc.). Good Soft Hackle colors are yellow, dark olive, and peacock; even pink can take trout at this time of year.

For the caddis, use size 14 in the afternoons, and size 18-20 near dark.

You may also take some trout with attractors such as size 14-16 Royal Wulffs and Trudes. Small midges are another good option, so carry some Griffiths Gnats in size 22-24.

If you find some deep pools, think about using a weighted brown or gold streamer on a sink-tip or a full-sinking line if the water's very slow; cast into the pool and let the fly sink before retrieving it.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Spokane River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Stillaguamish Basin

What to Expect in August:

Use small flies and light leaders. Size 12-16 Pheasant Tails and Hares Ears, as well as sculpin patterns can pick up steelhead, as can traditional tactics and flies. The nymphs and sculpins may also prove attractive to the river's dolly varden.

Under late summer conditions, steelhead and salmon may stack in a few deep pools. You can see them there in incredible numbers. This is a snagger's paradise, and you should (a) not fish these waters and (b) report poachers and snaggers.

When sea-run cutthroat enter the lower Stillie, you can find them between Sylvana and Arlington. They enter on the tides and will take streamers, such as Muddlers and small Clouser Minnows.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Stillaguamish Basin report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Yakima River

What to Expect in August:

Caddis, hoppers, short-winged stoneflies, and streamers are the main games for August. Expect caddis in the early morning and late evening. Match them with size 14-16 Elk Hair Caddis, X Caddis, Parachute Caddis, or Casanova Caddis. If you want bigger fish, use a more exact, low floating imitation (which an Elk Hair Caddis is not).

Hoppers will soon become a factor during the midday hours. Cast them anywhere there is shady water near the riverbank. Put your fly tight against the bank. Don't be shy. The difference between success and failure can be a matter of inches. If you're not leaving some flies in the bankside vegetation, you're not doing it right. For a hopper imitation, try a Parachute Hopper or a Turcks Tarantula. Size 10-12 green hoppers, size 6-12 yellow hoppers, and size 6-10 tan hoppers are all reasonable size/color combinations.

Ant and beetle patterns are also good flies to stick in your box. They are fished with the same tactics as hoppers. Hoppers and other terrestrial imitations work best on windy days. Early in the month, a size 10-12 hopper can work best. Later in the month, a larger fly--size 6 or so--may be a better choice.

Streamers are also a good August fly choice. Use them in riffly areas, drop-offs, deeper pools, and current seams. A streamer with a trailing nymph can be effective, too.

The short-winged stonefly (Classenia subulosa) can be important in the canyon this month. This size 6 bug is on the water in the afternoon and evening. A size 6 Stimulator or Clarks Stonefly with a tan body matches it. Cast near the river banks and skate the fly across the surface.

Subsurface, a Rubber Legs, tan Kaufmanns Stonefly, or Matts Fur can be productive this month when fished with trout indicator or tight line tactics. Team the big nymph with a smaller fly, such as a size 18 gold-ribbed Hares Ear, size 16-18 Pheasant Tail, or size 14-16 Czech Nymph. Concentrate on riffles and the deeper, slower water just below riffles.

For more on August tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report. See the Yakima River report for current conditions, hatches, guides, and other information.

Northeast Region

What to Expect in August:

The Methow is a good August choice. Size 14-16 rubber-legged Hares Ears can work well subsurface. On top, size 16 caddis imitations, such as an Elk Hair Caddis, should do well in the mid-morning and evening hours. During the day, hoppers, beetles, and Yellow Jackets can take trout.

Small rivers that stay cool, such as the Twisp, upper Icicle, and Entiat are good places to seek trout this month.

Peninsula Region

What to Expect in August:

The Elwah should fish well for trout, both between the dams and above the dams. Pale morning duns and yellow sallies can be found, and green drakes and golden stoneflies are coming soon. You can find good trout fishing between the dams and above Mills Dam. A sparse Parachute Adams or similar fly is good for the slow, flat stretches.

Puget Sound

What to Expect in August:

Sea-run cutthroat are still available to beach anglers. A gravel beach on a point is a good place to fish. Sea-runs feed in the intertidal zone--the region between the high and low tide marks. Scout the beach at low tide and look for depressions. Choose beaches that are within a mile or two of a river. Sea-run fishing is usually best under low light, so mornings are a good time to seek them.

You can actually catch them on terrestrial patterns (beetles, ants, hoppers); use a floating line and cast so the fly swings in the tidal current just like a wet-fly swing on a river. The fly needs to make a V-wake. Fish can slam 'em.

Anglers chasing sea-run cutts with sculpin patterns, Clouser Minnows, and other streamers often think they need a new fly when they aren't catching anything. What they really need to do is find a new spot or fish at a different depth. There's plenty of fish out there, and August is prime time because they're chowing-down prior to entering the rivers. So it's a matter of finding the fish and presenting something to them at the depth they're feeding at.

Coho salmon are another saltwater option. In odd numbered years, pink salmon are also available; use a pink fly, such as a pink Clouser Minnow, for pink salmon. If you're there when the fish are passing through, you'll do well. If not, enjoy your casting practice.

Coho can also be taken off the beach, and fishing for mature, pen-raised fish will improve throughout the month. Point No Point and Fort Flagler (Kitsap Peninsula), Fort Casey (Whidbey Island), Kayak Point (Everett), and Lincoln Park (Seattle) are all good places. See the article Fly Fishing for Puget Sound Coho Salmon for tactics.

There are four keys to effective fly fishing in the Sound:

1. A clear intermediate sinking line
2. Overload the rod; e.g., use a seven-weight line on a six-weight rod. This allows you to quickly pickup line and recast it.
3. A short, stout leader. A four-foot, ten-pound leader works for both coho and sea-runs. The sea-runs aren't leader shy.
4. A stripping basket. There's plenty of floating gunk in the Sound, and the bottom has lots of sharp, pointy things, like barnacles. So keep your line clean and out of the abrasive stuff with a stripping basket.

One caveat: when Area 9 opens for retention of salmon, some beaches can devolve into combat fishing conditions.

Southeast Region

What to Expect in August:

Carp fishing in the Columbia and in Banks Lake is good at this time of year. This untapped fishery is the coming thing for serious Washington fly fishers (no joke!). See Serious Carp for tactics. Smallmouth bass fishing is also excellent.

Southwest Region

What to Expect in August:

The North Fork of the Lewis has steelhead, but they tend to develop lockjaw when it hasn't rained for awhile. If we get a rainstorm in August, this could be a good choice for a couple of days. The upper North Fork is good for trout.