Puget Sound Fly Fishing
Puget Sound is blessed with over 3,000 miles of scenic beaches with many remote locations. A vast body of water, complex ecosystem, and migratory fish can be intimidating for many anglers just exploring Puget Sound but our guides know when, where, and how to target these fish.
The Fish
There are a variety of species we target with the most popular being the sea run cutthroat trout. These saltwater trout are similar to their freshwater cousin the Steelhead. They spawn in freshwater streams and live the majority of their lives in the saltwater. One of the large differences between the two are the lives they live in the salt. Steelhead are known for heading out to the Pacific Ocean. The sea run cutthroat, on the other hand, lives most of its life just a few miles from its home stream. What this means for the fly fisher is that these fish are available along the beach nearly every month of the year.
In addition to sea run cutthroat trout we also fish for salmon. There are four species of salmon we hook into on a consistent basis. The mighty King salmon (or Chinook) can be difficult to get on the fly but is a memory maker when it happens. Pink salmon (or Humpies) only return in odd years and they return in force. Th
e Puget Sound consistently gets 6+ million fish back a run with a handful of rivers getting nearly a million fish each. Most of the fishing pressure for these fish are on the rivers, but in our opinion, the best fishing for these fish is in the saltwater. There is more solitude, the fish respond exceptional to the fly, and they are bright and full of fight. Coho salmon (or Silvers) are possibly one of the best fly rod fish on the planet. They are aggressive to the fly, are a great size for fly rods (6-10 pounds), and they jump, cartwheel, and run when hooked. They can even be taken on topwater flies. In the winter months there are resident coho available. Resident coho are a trout sized juvenile salmon. Chum salmon (or Dog salmon) are brutes. When they school up at the mouth of estuaries they get aggressive towards each other and towards the fly. They are large salmon (8-20 pounds) and fight incredibly hard and can be a lot of fun on an 8wt.
Guided Trips
Kayak Fishing Trips – Full Day
Enjoy exploring Puget Sound and Hood Canal by kayak. Our stable fleet of 
Hobie Mirage kayaks are the ultimate in solo fishing vessels. Using these kayaks, we will gain access to rarely fished areas in search of hard fighting, aggressive Sea-Run Cutthroat Trout averaging 10-16” in length and sometimes reaching over 20”. Spring through fall is prime time but this is truly a year-round fishery. Ready to hook something bigger? July – November we also chase salmon: pink (July/August), coho (August/September), and chums (October/November). Get the chance to experience all the Pacific Northwest has to offer in incredible scenery and wildlife such as seals, eagles, waterfowl, porpoise, and sometimes even whales while fishing.
Single Angler Kayak Trips – Full Day
Our tandem Hobie Pro Angler 17T is perfect for older or less mobile clients that don’t want to have to worry about maneuvering a kayak on their own. Check out our video about it below.
Walk and Wade Trips – 1/2 Day
Come explore the beaches of Puget Sound in search of Sea Run Cutthroat and salmon. A great local fishery filled with stunning views and an un-crowded atmosphere. Done as a half day, this is a great option for those who want to get out on the water without having a full day to spare. Available year-round. Trip start times will vary according to the tides for the day. Salmon available seasonally.
What’s Included
We provide all the fishing gear you need for the day: rods, reels, lines, leaders, tippet, flies, etc. You are more than welcome to bring your own rod but be aware that our guides might have you fish a different set up too. For kayak trips, if you would like to request either a Hobie
or Native Watercraft Slayer please let us know and we will try to accommodate. PFD, whistle, and paddle are provided. Lunch is provided on full day trips. Not included: Washington state fishing license w/ catch card, waders/boots, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, or other personal items.
Pricing
*Gratuity not included. Please note, groups with 4 or more clients have two guides. Lunch is included with full day trips. 1/2 day trips can add lunch for $25. We can also accommodate 10 anglers for corporate trips with two guides. Please contact us for pricing. sales@gigharborflyshop.com or 253-851-3474
Booking
Booking a trip with us is easy. Just give us a call (253-851-3474) or stop by and put down a $100 deposit (plus tax). Once your deposit is paid your date is locked in. We cannot hold dates without a deposit. The balance of the trip is due at the end of the trip. Cash or check is preferred. We also take Visa, Mastercard, or Amex.
