Fly anglers beware! Pink salmon, somewhat affectionately known as humpies for the hump back males develop when they enter rivers to spawn, are invading Puget Sound by the millions. The pull of the line by these great fighting fish will set many a fly angler’s heart racing. Pinks return every other year on the odd numbered year, and this is an odd year. Biologists predict the beginnings of about 6.8 million pink salmon are currently entering the straights of San Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. The number could be far higher. In 2013 6.2 million were predicted but 8.7 million arrived. Pinks started to arrive at local beaches a couple of weeks ago and numbers are expected to peak mid-August. Beaches to fish for early returns include Point no Point, Point Marrowstone on Marrowstone Island, and Point Wilson at Fort Flagler State Park in Port Townsend. And, for the first time in 22 years, north Hood Canal south of the bridge is opened July first to target pinks. We know from local reports that pinks are already being hooked in the Canal. And get this; there is a four salmon limit in the Hood Canal up until October 15 (excluding King and chum salmon). So the silvers are open too! Although pink salmon will hit almost any fly that silver salmon will hit, in general smaller and flashier flies work best, but not always. Many of our Peninsula Outfitters angling cohorts swear by fluorescent pink flies, and not by association. Likewise, where the water is more than three or four feet deep consider using a line that sinks 1.5 to 2 inches per second to get to the fish. There is one major concern for this fishery. That is the predicted low flows in our rivers may seriously impact spawning beds. Serious mortality could occur if returning pinks over crowd flow restricted areas of local rivers and streams where pinks spawn. This species of salmon can make very good table or smoking fare, but only if treated properly. If you plan to keep some, and with the numbers there is no reason not to, it is important to bleed and gut them immediately after landing, then immediately ice them if at all possible. We at Peninsula Outfitters will keep eyes and ears out for who is catching what, where…and what flies and methods are proving most effective. Stop by the shop for the most current information.