SIMPLY A SALMON HIATUS Despite what many anglers may think, salmon fishing is not really closing; there simply is a 11-day hiatus.  Area 9 adjacent to the northern part of Kitsap Peninsula including Point no Point closed to king salmon fishing August 5.  Area 9 will open again November 1 for hatchery kings.  Other species of salmon, most notably Coho, have been closed for some months due to forecasted poor returns. Conversely, the northern part of Hood Canal south of the Hood Canal floating bridge opens for Coho August 16.  Some of our best salmon fishing opportunities in past years, and this year should be no exception, have been in Hood Canal.  While the preponderance of these Coho appear to run down the west side of Hood Canal, many can be had off of beaches on the east side.  While access can be a limitation, a friend with a boat can open up miles of summer fishing fun!  Stop by the shop and we can point you in the right direction, show you some unique fly patterns or, better yet, sign you up for one of our very popular beach fishing seminars. These seminars can help out with the specifics of where, when and how to attack this fishery.   ALPINE LAKES ARE PRIME Olympic Mountain alpine lake fishing is at its prime this month, and they should continue to fish well into September.  Alpine trails are mostly clear of snow making for easy passage.  Many Alpine lakes are substantially unexploited by the angling community. There are some great venues on the east side of the Olympics in Jefferson and Mason counties.  Several that come to mind are Lower Lena Lake  and Mildred Lakes.  Dave Shorett’s Olympic Mountains Fishing Guide is a good starting primer on where to go and how to get there.  We have this book in the shop.  In addition, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has an excellent rundown on these lakes including trout species and when they were stocked:  http:/wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/washington/highlakes/GeoLocation/600/   OLYMPIC TROUT STREAMS – OFTEN OVERLOOKED One of our most underrated fisheries in Washington State. This alpine wonderland provides miles of uncrowded, pristine waters. Most Olympic mountain streams are open above salmon migration obstructions or as described in the regulations.  Most Olympic streams offer exciting trout fishing on small flies and very light fly fishing gear. A 3wt or smaller rod is the ticket here. The Hama Hama, Dosiwallips and Duckabush Rivers, among a number of other streams, are under selective gear, catch-and-release regulations. Check the fishing regulations before going.