Captain Dave was an incredible host and guide of our salmon trip on the Puget Sound! He welcomed us…read moreat the dock, got us situated, and took us to an incredible spot that we were catching tons of pink salmon! He's a wealth of knowledge about not only the wildlife of the PNW, but all the surrounding areas for hiking, camping and more. He even let our kids feed the resident seal, Carla, our salmon scraps! We will definitely be back!

I must add that Captain Dave's first priority is safety and social distancing. Masks were worn and…read moreyou will feel abundantly safe on board!!!!

Gorgeous place! We were able to go snowshoeing for free! Plenty of parking on the side of the road…read more Highly recommend bringing hiking poles since it's super icy this season!

Definitely arrive early because the lot with fill up fast! A NW Forest pass is required for…read moreparking. This trail is very rocky so make sure to have good hiking shoes and trekking poles. There was also lots of bugs on this trail so definitely pack bug spray as well. The view is beautiful, a little crowded but I came around 7:30am so it wasn't too bad.

Gold Creek Trout Farm in Woodinville, Washington, is a charming, family-owned U-fish trout farm…read morethat delivers an accessible, hands-on fishing experience especially well-suited for beginners, families, and kids. Located at 15844 148th Ave NE (essentially in the front yard of owners Pam and Cecil Thomas), it sits just minutes from Seattle and a short drive from Woodinville's wine country. Because it is private property, no fishing license is required--a major plus that removes a common barrier for casual visitors and families. The setup is straightforward and low-prep. Upon arrival during open hours (primarily weekends, typically 10 a.m.-2 p.m.--always check their calendar page for exact days, special events, or "bring your own gear" dates), the farm supplies simple cane poles, putty-like fish-food bait (not traditional worms or nightcrawlers), buckets, and nets. Staff (including the friendly and knowledgeable owners) offer pointers on baiting the hook and technique, but this is emphatically a do-it-yourself experience: they will not bait hooks for you or remove fish from the hook. You handle those steps yourself (or help your kids do so). This hands-on approach is part of the appeal for many visitors--it teaches basic angling skills in a controlled, success-oriented environment rather than a full guided lesson. There are two main shallow ponds. One is stocked with smaller rainbow trout (roughly 10-16 inches, priced at about $13 and under). The other holds a wider range of fish (10-36 inches), priced according to length with a chart available in the cleaning area. Fish are often cooperative, and many families report catching several in an hour or so, including kids landing their first fish. Larger specimens are visible and catchable with a bit of patience and help from an adult netting the fish properly. Important rule: there is no catch-and-release. What you catch, you keep. Pulling fish out by the line or mishandling them in ways that injure them is discouraged (and can lead to being asked to leave), so using the provided net is essential. The water quality is a standout feature. The ponds are continuously fed by protected spring water (estimated around 5,000 gallons per hour flowing through), so the water never sits stagnant. The farm is a state-certified food-fish supplier, and the trout are safe and tasty to eat--many visitors describe a notably fresh flavor. After fishing, you can have the fish cleaned and bagged for a modest fee (around $0.75 per fish; self-cleaning with your own knife is also an option when available). Bring a cooler with ice to transport your catch home. There is also a feeding area where, for a quarter, you can get fish food and toss it to the trout--a popular activity while waiting for the group or just for fun. The overall atmosphere is relaxed and low-key rather than a high-production commercial attraction. It sits under trees on a quiet hillside, with a covered picnic area available (reservable for parties or groups for a fee, often around $30 for a couple of hours). Picnic tables can be used briefly for snacks. Facilities are basic but functional: a restroom near the entrance gate, accessible parking, and wheelchair accessibility noted by some visitors. Strict rules help keep the place pleasant--no pets, no smoking, pack-it-in/pack-it-out for trash, and respect for the private property. Cash is preferred (cards incur a 3% fee; no Apple Pay or checks). Bags for fish are available for a small charge or bring your own. For families and first-timers, this place shines. Kids as young as toddlers can participate successfully with adult help, and many reviewers highlight the joy of watching children land their first trout and the educational farm-to-table aspect of taking dinner home. Owners Pam and Cecil are frequently praised as kind, helpful with tips, and willing to share a bit of history about the farm if you ask. Birthday parties and school/group bookings are available by appointment (with specific pricing and expectations that groups bring enough helpers for baiting and unhooking). Practical tips from the experience and reviews: Arrive early on open days, as hours are limited. Wear or bring sun protection and water on warmer days. Be prepared to get a little messy (bait and fish handling). Return unused bait and equipment so the farm can reuse it. Check the official calendar before going, as hours and "bring your own gear" days vary seasonally, and some holiday weekends have extended or special rules. If bringing your own gear on permitted days, poles must be checked, hooks must be #6 or smaller (no trebles), and you clean your own fish.

Outstanding experience and so convenient. Kids loved it and the owners were so kind & helpful with…read moretips, and giving my daughter extra support given how well her brother was doing. =) Very reasonable prices too.

EWA is more than a fly fishing shop. This is a community-driven business staffed by extremely…read moreknowledgeable, kind, and attentive people who love their sport and truly want to help. I lost an irreplaceable rod on a river yesterday. I never would have found it without the incredible help of Muaaz, one of the staff members, who was so exceedingly caring and attentive that he voluntarily managed to track down the person who grabbed it from the bank. Thank you, Muaaz! Many fly shops are intimidating. Most are uncomfortable to hang out in. Plenty of them employ "experts" who are outright disdainful and rude to customers who don't know what they're doing. Most other shops aren't designed to foster a real community, let alone bring a positive force to the larger community of the neighborhood. There isn't a single employee here who won't go above and beyond for you, whether you're an absolute novice, intermediate to expert angler, or just have a friend or family member who's into fly fishing. Need a gift for the angler in your life? Curious about why people are so obsessed with this sport? Want to understand why matching a rod with the appropriate reel, line, leader, and tippet seems so complicated? Want to know if that piece of equipment is really worth the price tag? Maybe you don't really need anything, but you'd like to hang out in a comfortable space designed for customers like you to relax and socialize. Maybe you're tinkering with the idea of getting into fly tying but have no idea where to start. Or perhaps you could really use some expert advice based extensive experience -- without being told you have to buy $2,000 worth of whatever. If any of the above rings a bell, this is the place. No upselling, no uptight attitudes, no joke. This place is invested in making a real contribution to the community of West Seattle. If you live closer to another shop, give this one a shot. It's worth the trip, and you might not go back to that other place. The junction is lucky to have EWA at their new location on California Ave. I shop here instead of buying directly from vendors because there's no price gouging or elitist vibe, and because I honestly want this business to thrive. Most of the other customers who frequent this place do too. Moving this shop from 42nd and Oregon to the heart of the junction took an enormous group effort. There's a good reason so many of its customers volunteered to help with whatever was needed. There are also plenty of good reasons I've spent this much of my time and this many words writing a yelp review. Come see what all this fuss is about.

I've been to plenty of fly shops, but EWA will have my patronage as long as I live near Seattle…read more Staff is incredibly friendly and excited to get people out on the water. The shop's dedication to be carbon-neutral and support Patagonia's upcycled wader program is really commendable, and the fly-tying materials are excellent.

Capt Steve and Skipper Ben was awesome. Thank you for such a wonderful experience. Great variety…read moreand plentiful. Loved catching the wolf eel. If ever in Seatyle again will definately charter with you. Thank you again for the great experience!

Steve and his daughter were awesome! Caught lots of fish, super knowledgeable, and great fishing…read moresetup. We would definitely recommend to others. Thanks again!

Came to Seattle for our mini-honeymoon! Had such a great experience with Justin! Very friendly and…read moreeasy to talk with! Had quite a few action and ended with two beautiful salmon (of course the wife caught the bigger hog!) Definitely coming back in the summer for some crabbing with Justin!

Can I just say that my family and I had the best experience with Captain Justin? We did a morning…read morefishing trip and caught Lingcod! Justin was a fantastic captain--super easy to talk to, very informative, and had answers to all my questions about fishing and sea life. We had an amazing experience on our fishing charter today! Justin is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. He made sure our lines were set up perfectly, helped us with casting, untangled any issues in no time, and was super patient the whole trip. His guidance made the experience smooth and enjoyable, especially for those of us who aren't expert anglers. The boat was clean and comfortable, and the views were incredible. It was such a fun and relaxing experience--definitely a highlight of our day. Highly recommend!!

Great park with lot of activities suitable for all age groups. It's a good picnic spot with great…read morefood options around the area

No one follows the lane rules it's chaos walking. I'm the crazy looking one for following the lane…read morerules

Incredible customer service!! Ryan helped me get set up with my first setup. The selection was…read morefantastic and hooked me up with free leader, free hard case, and half a dozen flys! Cabelas can really make shopping feel kinda hostile but here, everyone is so nice and happy to help! Will be back

The service and overall experience at this store were absolutely amazing! My husband and I are…read moregoing to Alaska and needed to purchase waders, and the staff could not have been more helpful. They spent so much time with us, answered all of our questions, and helped us select exactly what we needed for our trip. We truly appreciated their patience, knowledge, and exceptional customer service. Such a great experience from start to finish!