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Finally got some time off to hit an optimum tide swing again!

I Made my way down to a favorite beach of mine which has yielded plenty of success in the past for a hour or two of fishing until the sun fell behind its' ocean veil. Fishing two afters after the slack ebb, with decent water movement.

At first the water was highly stained and clogged with debris. It only took ten minutes before I noticed a swirl, which turned into a nice 12" cuttie. He didn't even know he was hooked until he got within 10 feet of me, then he fought like a maniac until I netted him. Quickly took a picture and released him.

A couple minutes later, a couple of large slashes at the water surface indicated the presence of a larger fish. Cast, and he hit like a train. This bugger was bigger, and fought like the Bull Trout of one of my favorite, secret, hidden, under-pressured streams, the *SLAP*.....uhhh, Rio Grande.....

But nope, it was just a good cutthroat. And really not even that big of one. At 14-15", he probably weighed almost a pound, so a chunky fish, but if he weren't dragging the entire kelp bed of B'ham Bay with him, he probably wouldn't have fought so hard. Netted him, took a picture, and released him.

Then I saw a tank jump out of the water. Let me tell you with certain honesty, 3-4lbs of cutthroat. Not a bull trout, not a salmon/steelhead (God knows I wouldn't mention even seeing one of them with a rod in my hand these days!)... A cutthroat. Big fish. He was a little beyond my casting distance.

A couple minutes pass, and finally after moving a bit, a hard take. It came off within a couple seconds. Was this the brute? I couldn't tell ya. I've had 12" cutts feel like halibut before on my 7' UL.

I switched lures, to one of my favorite trout lures, the *SLAP* uhhh... powerbait... and fired it out there. Two casts in, and game on. Maybe the same fish as before. If so, another good 14" cuttie. Netted and released.

As the tide crept higher, the bite died and fish moved on. I was greeted by a warm spring rain and a gorgeous sunset intermixed, along with the beloved, sweet smell that a fresh rain brings. Saltwater and rainwater, a glorious sunset, and a fishing pole in my hands, three fish brought to hand in an hour or so... geez what an awful day!

Gotta love it. The cutts are keyed in on baitfish right now. Some of the fry are getting big already. They'll probably start moving further away from their natal streams as summer comes closer (in general, some will always hang around) in pursuit of migrating smolt.

Unfortunately I have severed my floating fly line on a barnacle? Yep, cut clean through like a knife. Unusable (and getting old anyhow) so my fly rod is out of saltwater commission 'till I get a new line. Throw chum, herring, sand lace, or even gunnel patterns at them. I saw a seagull grab a gunnel today.

Good luck out there. Oh and by the way, I actually didn't catch the last cutt on powerbait. That was a joke. Or was it?

Tight, unbroken lines, and watch for barnacles.

dutchman2858

5/12/2016 8:17:00 AM

Nice fish! Just a comment...I don't fish cutthroat, and don't anticipate doing so, but I've always done my best to assist other anglers in their success. I understand keeping hard won "secret spots" secret, but have never understood not sharing the lure/fly/bait that helped me achieve my own success. Just my opinion, however. Your report--your choice :-)

Ian Horning

5/12/2016 12:36:00 PM

Yeah I mean nothing negative by it. I'll tell you my standard lure of success- Kastmasters or Crocs from the gear side. Spoons aren't any secret. As for this other lure, I have legitimate, non-selfish reasons not to share it. That may not make sense, but it's all I'm gonna say.

I would be happy to share tips and techniques relative to the pursuit of Sea-Runs with anyone who wants it. I am also a proponent of not giving away locations, but instead observations and things to look for so other anglers can develop their own understanding, and find their own "secret" spots off of the grid. That's just my style.

Thanks for the comments and concern!

jonb

5/12/2016 7:50:00 PM

One reason a person might not share their lure is because its success is based upon the fact that other fish havnt seen ANYTHING like it in that particular fishery, in order for this to be the case it has to be unthinkably off the wall. Which i know is the case here. Ill never tell, dont worry ian. If he told everyone about it, they would use it, the fish would recognize it and it wouldnt be as successful it is.

For those looking to get into src fishing , flies and spoons are best imo. I prefer flies. Size 6 streamers, olive chum babies, white minnow patterns (polar chenille/maribou tie it like a leech) white/blue epoxy minnows. Your trying to immitate coho and chum fry.

Thanks for the report mr. Horning.

clarkhess122

5/13/2016 11:28:00 AM

Hey Ian, great report! My dad is really interested in picking up Sea Run Cutt fishing (I've tried to get him into Bass but he doesn't care for it), would you mind sharing what you look for in a good beach/ what tides you would reccomend fishing? I've gone for them once before, but as a bass angler, the amount of space and lack of cover is a bit mind boggling haha! THanks!!

Ian Horning

5/15/2016 4:42:00 AM

Thanks for the positive feedback! When I have the time clarkhess122, I'll PM you info.

themidnightrambler

6/14/2016 6:03:00 PM

Ian, I love reading your reports. Beautifully written. I live up North as well (Anacortes) and have been trying to catch some SRC on the fly around here but have had no luck thus far. Any tips or advice?

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