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"Steelhead Fishing On Washington's Olympic
Peninsula with veteran master guide Larry Scott is above all some of the
finest fishing you will ever experience anywhere for this great game
fish".
In mid-November when the rivers swell from the rains of Washington’s
Olympic Peninsula coast, the migration of winter Steelhead begins. The
first Steelhead that arrive to our rivers are of hatchery origin. The
chrome-bright fish weigh from 5-12 pounds. By Thanksgiving the numbers
increase continuing through the Christmas holiday and are done by New
Years.
For the people that love the flavor of Steelhead, this is the time to
catch those hatchery raised fish for the dinner table. The daily limit
is two hatchery Steelhead per/person. Most of our fishing this time of
year is spent on the Bogachiel, Calawah, Sol Duc, and Hoh rivers in the
winter months.
As the new year begins, the infamous native (wild) Steelhead start their
migration upstream which makes our world class rivers home. These
beautiful sea-run rainbows are the Tarpon of the west. With their strong
will to fight, spin, or dance to break loose for freedom; it’s a
challenge for any angler to land one of these Steelhead. Native
Steelhead average about 10-15 pounds, with many into the high teens.
It’s not uncommon in late January and February to catch a trophy class
Steelhead in the 20 pound class, and possibly a monster in the 30 pound
class. Every year these magnificent andronimous creatures are caught.
In the winter season, on February 6th 1998, a Westside Guide Service
client caught the unofficial state record (34.4pound) native Steelhead
and released him to freedom. Again on February 12, 2002 a
(31 lb.) native Steelhead was caught on 8 lb test line. We promote catch
and release on wild Steelhead to ensure the future runs of these
pristine watersheds of the Olympic National Park.
March is known as the height of the season and very productive with
native Steelhead averaging 11-15 pounds. State regulations permit the
taking of one wild Steelhead per year on any river in the state. April
is the start of spring on the Olympic Peninsula, and also a great month
for numbers right to the end of the season April 31st. Included in this
fishery is the occasional showing of spring salmon (springers), also a
very explosive fish, averaging 15-35 pounds.
Most fishing is performed out of a new 2009, 17ft. aluminum (forced
air-heated) drift boat,
using terminal tackle, or wade fishing on our fly-fishing trips. All
bait and tackle are provided, or feel free to bring your favorite rod
and reel, etc. Please bring your own waders if you have them.
The summer months are also filled with
Steelhead! We fish the Olympic
Peninsula, Columbia river, and in the southwest region, Kalama, Cowlitz and Lewis rivers. This
summer we're expecting to have another great season. We can host up to
six anglers per boat. Fishing will be performed out of a new 2008 23 ft. jet-sled
on the Columbia, Cowlitz and Lewis rivers. Drift boating on the Kalama and Hoh
rivers. All bait and tackle is provided.
A variety of accommodations are available. I recommend the Miller Tree
Inn, Sol Duc River Lodge and Brightwater House B&B as the top choices on
the peninsula. All have great sack lunches for the trip. Or if you like
to motel it, the Forks Motel , Pacific Inn or the Dew Drop Inn will
provide you with a comfortable stay, with a local restaurant serving a
healthy breakfast and lunch to go. Check with us for referrals on your
stay on the southern rivers.
All trips are secured with a 50% deposit due when booking is finalized.
Cancellations are 14 days prior to booked date.
Whether you're entertaining a client, bringing a friend, or taking the
family on an excursion, I guarantee this is a trip everyone will enjoy.
Don’t forget the kids! With my 31 years of experience on these rivers, I
will provide a fun and memorable experience of a lifetime.
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