FLY FISHING the PUGET SOUND: SEARUN Cutthroat & Coho fishing with Josh Phillips

FLY FISHING the PUGET SOUND in Washington State: This film highlights Josh Phillips and his story of growing up near the Puget Sound, just a stones throw away from where he learned to fly fish for sea-run cutthroat trout in the saltwater. Josh tells his story of fulfilling his dream of playing soccer professionally and ultimately creating his dream job at Spawn Fly Fish in Ilwaco, Washington. This film captures Josh Phillips story of working hard and having success with the things he loves. Fly fishing for Sea-Run Cutthroat, Coho and his professional soccer career with the Portland Timbers all highlighted in this Todd Moen film. spawnflyfish.com @SpawnFlyFish
Special thanks to these companies that help support my film work with Catch Magazine and helping introduce fly fishing to new anglers around the globe.
R.L. Winston Rod Company - winstonrods.com
Bauer Fly Reels - bauerflyreel.com
Orvis Fly Fishing - www.orvis.com/fly-fishing
#FLYFISHING #SPAWNFLYFISH #cutthroatmode
@newflyfisher @tightlinevideo @orvisguidetoflyfishing

[@chuckmorgan3049]

Josh as a lifetime puget sound resident and avid fisherman who has persued sea runs several times with struggling success you've inspired me to give it more attention! Steelhead, salmon and trout all on the fly and now sea run cutthroat, my wife will be so thrilled once again!! Cheers and enjoy as I know you will!

[@208flatheads3]

That one fish looked like a summer run steelhead

[@codycook9610]

One day! One day I'll get my first steelhead and salmon on the fly. I just started fly fishing few months ago and I've been fairly successful with trout on a local stream so far. My goal is to get a winter steelhead so we'll see. I was visiting long Beach and looked up online for a fly shop not really expecting to find anything. Was pleasantly surprised to find spawn. Went in and talked with Josh for a little and he gave me some spots to try out for cutthroat and rainbows. He also recommended some flies that killed it. He mentioned how they have a big selection of tying materials and by talking to him and watching his videos, he's inspired me to try and start tying my own. I had no idea that I was in the presence of a total bad ass though! Professional soccer player, avid fly fisherman and successful business owner?! This man's got it all!

[@lucasholmgrenmusic]

I was up in Puget Sound on a business trip, and had brought one rod and some Coho lures. I found a spot where I could elevate above 10-15 foot of water, cause they weren't up close to shore. Once I got near that depth and boulders I start jigging a 2/5 oz little cleo and Cutties from 10-15 inches were coming out of the boulders and smashing it! It was amazing. A harbor seal almost stole one...but luckily the Cuttie got away!

[@ToniBoordane]

Your new blend of highlighting unlikely fly fishermen or just fly fishermen you wouldn’t expect is amazing. Loving it

[@waynethiessen729]

Another stunner Todd! Josh also is killing it with Spawn Fly Fish. Cheers!

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks Wayne! Appreciate it!

[@SPxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxACE]

Love to see my home water being represented so well! Big fan of Fishing Josh and all he does

[@andy1or2]

He sure makes us proud of the Pac. NW for sure....great video ...!! great Guy ...

[@CatchMagazine]

1st class guy for-sure! Thanks for watching.

[@paulnee4156]

Nice meeting you Josh this evening at the Roo

[@SpawnFlyFish]

haha thank you! it was a pleasure!

[@boobear1907]

2:33 that’s Dom Badji!!! Went to high school with him, incredibly nice person

[@hooks4nooks]

I was introduced to sea-run cutthroat in the 80's on the Cowlitz River. Big, and lots of them. I was just a kid and just learned what a Royal Coachmen was and the trout were eager to take them. It was too easy to catch 5, 14-18" sea-run cutthroat in an hour or so. It was a fisherman's dream. Your video has inspired me to dust off the old 8-9 weight. I've spent so much time chasing salmon and steelhead I've forgotten about these wonderful trout available to us in the Puget Sound. I still fish the Cowlitz but it seems those big cutthroat are long gone. I've caught 12" ers but that's about as big as I've seen them and I don't know why that is other than maybe the hatcheries aren't planting as many and different strains? Thanks so much for such a cool video. Time to get the old fly tying vice out and maybe buy a new fly rod. Definitely some new fly line. Lol.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks for the great message. Dust that gear off, these cutthroat are a real special creature. Josh in this film explains it perfect as they are a really fun fish to chase. Appreciate you watching and glad it was inspiring!

[@codylamaar]

Wow. I’ve been a follower/spawn customer and had no idea about his background. What a stud

[@MV-Dan]

Puget sound transplant and new fly fisher. I can’t wait to get my first SRC, great video.

[@midnitehi7735]

Great video buddy! I'm from Alaska and just moved to the Olympic peninsula a few years ago. Being from Cordova, I mainly chased searun cutthroat and silvers around on the Copper river delta. You just showed me that your fishing the same way as I do up north. Cool 😎 I just need to get off my surfboard and start fishing the beaches here.

[@gjbingham]

Dang! So many Coho! What a blast that must have been on a 5 wt. Spectacular video captures of Cutties jumping too.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thank you!

[@miked.r.6671]

Cutthroat on The Fly has always held a special place for me. More of a hunt, & when you find one theres often a pod to go with it .Such beautiful fish to be admired ! Nothing like going out after cutties with a 5 weight & slaying coho! Stunner Video footage!

[@Paulpoission]

Awesome Todd!

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks Paul!!

[@Fishnutz737]

what an awesome video

[@sportsmandan025]

Great video! Great to see your success on and off the pitch. You’re an inspiration to pursue your passion, whatever it may be! Thanks Josh, cheers

[@gregorynespor2618]

Such a great guy. I don't know him, but years ago he came by Rajeff Sports and it was a pleasure to meet him. He was a big bass guy on the Columbia. He gave me a bunch of Spawn cone heads for tying flies with. Still have those original heads that he started with!! Great film Todd...

[@SpawnFlyFish]

Heck yes! I still love the bass, need to get out there and walk the tracks again next season! Truly appreciate you!

[@stephenpacovich7724]

Great video Josh I been to the sound many times fishing small steams but didn’t realize how good the sound small body’s of water fished keep your videos comming

[@adammcneese1]

Very cool to learn a bit about your background. Been a minute since I’ve been to the shop. Spawn Fly Fishing is the spot!!! Congrats Josh.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks for watching!

[@guillermopetermann]

what a great vid man !!! thnx for sharing

[@D2uned]

Catch Magazine really does the greatest videos with amazing sound tracks and music. No better way to tell these stories. Can't beat the subject matter either.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks. Appreciate that!

[@cachi-7878]

Todd, man you keep knocking them out of the park. Well done, Sir!

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks so much! Appreciate it!!!

[@SledorFish]

Great film on our cool coastal cutthroat. I fell in love with them as a kid and have been having a blast chasing them with my nephews this fall. I have never fished for golden dorado but I imagine that is what our cutthroat would be like if they got that big. Nothing would be safe...

[@particleboard]

So good. Captures fishing on the sound and life in western Washington so well. Killer cutty and coho footage!

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks very much. Glad you liked it!👍

[@SpawnFlyFish]

Love this!!!

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks Spawn!

[@harleytakuachemode]

Thanks for the fresh vibes.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamesgilford157]

Another great video, Todd. Cool story.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks James. Appreciate it!

[@KenJohnsonFlyfishing]

Todd, your videos are by far and away the best out there! Keep it up!

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks so much Ken. Really appreciate that. Thanks for watching!

[@coreygolpheneee]

Whoa man, don't blow up the best kept fly fishing secret in the US, but in all fairness sick video.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks, glad you liked it. Always very careful when mentioning destinations in my films.

[@ericlecko]

Great video. Thanks

[@thebigtroutranch]

Best videos on the net! Keep them coming!

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks for this!!! Appreciate it!

[@mikehoefer1827]

Well done.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thank you!

[@dolanpatj]

Thanks again. Soccer, salmon, Puget Sound. Life as a kid around here could be pretty special. 🚣‍♂

[@CatchMagazine]

I agree. I grew up outside of Seattle. Totally get that feeling. 👍

[@dolanpatj]

@@CatchMagazine 70's kid from QA fishing sockeye in Lk Washington and steelhead at the locks, stockers at Green Lake. Ate crayfish from the ship canal 🤢. But by the 90's, the pull of flyfishing and central Oregon took hold and since then nearly all of my trips have been to the desert. I'm only recently starting to contemplate flyfishing these local waters again with my Alpacka rafts.

[@PhelpsontheFly]

Another timeless classic!

[@CatchMagazine]

Hey Will! Thanks. I appreciate that. Hope all is going well. You are working hard and it shows! Keep at it man!

[@PhelpsontheFly]

Thanks for the kind words, it truly means a lot. Your work has always been a big inspiration. Keep crushing it as always! @@CatchMagazine

[@daveschlom4033]

Fabulous film about an amazing human being!

[@CatchMagazine]

Agreed!!! 👍

[@seafly9078]

Great video Josh and Todd! Love seeing our local waters featured in a way that does them justice!

[@SpawnFlyFish]

Thank you Brita I truly appreciate it! Were going to do more together!

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks Brita. Hope all is well!

[@michaelfukuda5545]

Great footage.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-ti4vk2lk4j]

Great video. Really hope to get up to that fishery. But, and I hope this is ok, I'm mostly here to plug/vouch for the shop. I've been shopping at Spawn (remotely) since close to the beginning. Pretty sure I'm up to 20 orders (mostly tying materials). Fair prices. Fast shipping. Personalized notes. Just top notch. Love the Spawn heads/shanks/jigs. Easy people to do business with. Easy people to root for.

[@CatchMagazine]

You nailed it with your comment. Thanks for this feedback. It’s really cool to hear this. The Spawn team works incredibly hard and it shows. Thanks for watching and supporting Josh and the top notch crew there.

[@SpawnFlyFish]

THANK YOU SO MUCH means everything to us!

[@lancerjigs7587]

Incredible video dude 🤙

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks Lance. Appreciate it.

[@PaulManzanedo-hj1dc]

Great videos, and the soundtrack is a step up.interested in the song on spring creek pmds and jeep creek,which I fish every spring.thanks for the good work

[@girdlebugboys]

Main part I miss about living in Seattle - that fishery!

[@alexredhat3476]

Great Story. Sad I lived in Seattle and did not use those fishing possibilities

[@HungryH1951]

Pretty cool.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks.

[@thomastero4662]

Awesome. Didn't know much about this area. 100k subscribers soon! He has a very interesting grip when stripping line.

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks for watching Thomas!

[@JLM_Fishing]

I think I might’ve caught some sea run cuddies this past weekend on the Cowlitz, but I’m unfamiliar with them so it was hard for me to tell. Figured they were small steelhead lol

[@robheale5656]

Thanks

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks Rob! Very much appreciate it.

[@robheale5656]

@@CatchMagazine love the content would love to come and fish in America one day 👌

[@208flatheads3]

One of those fish looked like it was a summer run steelie. Il rewatch and time stamp it

[@CatchMagazine]

Could have been Good eye!

[@cheechwizard6541]

Down in Oregon we call them Bluebacks.

[@DForDuxs]

Is there a video of you guys tying that same fly? I wanna get into fly fishing in the sound

[@scottsullivan7176]

Nice video. What boat are you using? Is it good for the sound when the wind picks up?

[@SpawnFlyFish]

A Lowe and it’s solid, I wouldn’t fish when it gets crazy windy that is for sure but nor would I fish in my buddies whaler! There’s a lot of places to tuck out of the wind too!

[@joesutherland225]

Come over to port renfrew bc in Sept. Fly for big coho from the beach

[@BilboSandbaggins]

What is the best ride to do this?

[@danielpeek8001]

Loved to see the shot of a guy from the Puget Sound wearing a Portland Timbers shirt.

[@noblestsavage1742]

is this a re upload? im sure i saw it a while ago

[@CatchMagazine]

Yes, it was up for a short time. Added new footage to it that wasn’t part of the original last year!

[@charlesspringer4709]

Almost no fishing in this video. But 5 minutes you get to see a boat!

[@CatchMagazine]

Thank right! We love the story!

[@PeeHaa1]

Wat What kind of landing net is this and where can you buy it? Regards from Germany

[@CatchMagazine]

My favorite nets are PNW Landing nets here in Oregon. This one in the film is a Fishpond net. Send Josh an email… he’ll get you all set up! [e-mail]

[@PeeHaa1]

Thanks!

[@akintomeatloaf]

Is this a re-upload?

[@CatchMagazine]

Hey man! Yes, an updated version. Wasn't satisfied with the first cut that was only up for a few months last year. It's been gone for almost a year not until now. New footage and edits have been made.

[@akintomeatloaf]

@@CatchMagazine Ok cool! It rang a bell deep in the cobwebs of my Todd Moen awesomeness haha. Always top notch stuff!

[@stephenpacovich7724]

One question is that your fly shop?

[@SpawnFlyFish]

It looks a lot different these days but yes! That’s what it looked like, been built piece by piece through support!

[@stephenpacovich7724]

@@SpawnFlyFish if interested and need any flys let me know I used to tie commercially

[@SCOTT-vm5nj]

I’ll be down (to the shop) for some supplies. Peach stuff. Thanks, great video!

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

Fishing 1500 hours a year? That's a full time job!

[@realityobservationalist7290]

I've never understood why our coastal cutthroat don't get bigger. Of all the anadromous salmonoids, our coastal cutthroat seem to be on the smaller end. They don't get much bigger than the natives that stay in freshwater year-round. Meanwhile, almost all other cutthroat sub-species that stay in freshwater grow much bigger. You would think they'd grow to a size comparable to our PNW steelhead while they're in the ocean, but I guess not.

[@seafly9078]

Unlike steelhead and salmon, our coastal cutthroat prefer to stay in our estuary waters and rarely migrate more than 5 miles from their native river. They do not head out to sea as the others do to the same extent, and most in Washington don't leave Puget Sound. We also have resident salmon that don't leave the Sound for the Pacific that also do not get as big as the migratory salmon that do. The biggest cutthroat in the Sound I've witnessed was at the 26 inch mark, with anything over the 20 inch mark being a trophy.

[@realityobservationalist7290]

@@seafly9078, thank you!!! I thought that might be the case but I wasn't sure. Someone needs to tell them there's a lot more food out there!

[@bobcaddock3264]

Used to be outstanding here n Olalla, but not so much anymore.

[@CatchMagazine]

What happened?

[@bobcaddock3264]

Thought it was the fishing pressure,(lots of fly fisherman), but that doesn't fit because of catch and release. We have a lot of seals and sea lions around. That could be it. @@CatchMagazine

[@SpawnFlyFish]

When was the last time you fished it? I’ve had a lot of success there but primarily fishing from a boat

[@dannybales5677]

Great video,I live near hood canal and fish Puget sound as well as all rivers and lakes.you always make me feel like I'm there.seen all your videos ,kudos to you and your views on life and outdoors!

[@CatchMagazine]

Thanks so much for this message. Appreciate it and thanks for watching!