Olympic Peninsula - Winter
Steelhead
Mid November
to Late April
Mid-November means that the long awaited winter
steelhead fishing season has finally arrived once again.
Beginning around the second week of November the first of the
hatchery steelhead begin to nose into the Hoh, Bogachiel, Sol
Duc, Calawah, and Quillayute rivers of the Olympic Peninsula.
The hatchery steelhead runs peak around mid-December and begin
to taper of in early January.
All is not lost though!
In early January the first of the anticipated native steelhead
begin to show up in good numbers in the same rivers. These
native steelheads are what makes the Olympic Peninsula rivers
world-renown for steelhead fishing. The native steelhead runs
peak from late January to early March. They still provide good
fishing until late April.
Each year rods will bend and
endurance will be tested by steelhead in excess of 30 pounds.
Many over 20 pounds (considered a trophy) are caught by our
clients each season.
Although not required by law in
all stretches of the rivers, we do support catch-and-release
on native steelhead. At this time, you are allowed to keep one
native steelhead per day, up to 10 annually, from the
Quillayute River System. The native steelheads are arguably
one of the greatest of the freshwater gamefish and we are
committed to do what we can to help preserve their stock. If
you do catch a trophy fish, we always have a nice camera and
tape measure to record the deed so that your story doesn't
have to start with "You should've seen the one that got
away…!".
We fish from a heated 16' Willie Drift Boat
that can accommodate two people for the white water trips. We
use only the finest of equipment, including G-Loomis and Talon
fishing rods, Gamakatsu hooks, Shimano and Ambassadeur reels
and Izor line. Of course if you're more comfortable with your
own gear, bring it along.
Reserve your fishing dates as
early as possible because prime dates, especially week-end
trips, book early.
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