Puget Sound

[SeaRunner]

Great info. As mentioned, I’ve used Amphipod and Euphausiid patterns in the winter and spring, but never at this time of year.
Has anyone ever tried them in the summer and had success with them?
SF

Have not but ran into a situation 1st week of September that I wish I had some with me. Late morning bright sun, deep water and the tide had pushed a bunch like in your picture to the surface. There was a mix of what appeared to be juvenile coho, adult coho, and dogfish feeding on them right on the surface. Some of the boils were impressive. I was mooching and finished my limit that way, but it would have been fun to try and target the surface game.

I have caught many coho this time of year and later with what appear to be krill and amphipods in their stomachs. I wouldn't call it as frequent as the June residents, but it happens enough to not be a surprise IMO. Attached is a pic I posted in the gear forum a few years back of two November saltwater coho that were feeding on amphipods of some sort. They are in the blood there but kind of hard to make out. Fish were caught about 170 feet down in 190-200 feet of water so not sure if they were hyperiid or gammarid.

 

[jasmillo]

Another great day yesterday. Had a gear buddy onboard so mainly jigged but one was fly caught. Another amazing day once the switch flipped and the bite turned on. Saturday was more consistently good over a longer period of time but Sunday was bananas in a shorter window. Both days resulted in highly memorable action. Not sure what the difference was? Maybe the cloud cover Saturday versus the bright sun Sunday? The success on jigs the last two days has really opened my eyes. When I have had non fly fisherman onboard chasing coho in the past, divers and trolling were the most common method used. However, we boated more coho the last two days across the different anglers on board than the last few years trolling, and in my opinion it’s a much more enjoyable way to catch them if fishing gear.



Been texting with @Kfish and others thinking up some fun experimental stuff to try next weekend. How do you effectively get a fly down to fish in 50-75 feet of water?

Could this be the answer…