Forks steelhead report

[nwhunter]

I don't do much steelhead fishing but thought I'd post what I have been hearing to save guys from wasting a trip. The hatchery run this year is almost nonexistant compared to most years. A buddy of mine who guides has been cancelling trips rather than have disappointed clients who are used to hooking double digit fish on a normal year and they are lucky to get one per trip this year so far. Normally Forks is busy with all the steelheaders this time of year, full motels and restaraunts but it is pretty quiet around here. Should be a lesson for the wild only people who keep pushing to get rid of the hatcheries. Without the hatchery fish this time of year there are basically no fish in the river! Bad for the fishermen and the economy. Not trying to start an argument just throwing out a report from the wetside! nwhunter

[asl20bball]

well said...hopefully there will be some fish between xmas-new years to be caught.

[Bootfish]

Yeah,
It has been a sub par steelhead season everywhere so far this year.  Normally, even on a bad year the OP still has a decent season compared to everywhere else.  The double whammy for this year was that this years group of fish had to be destroyed because of IHN virus, and the only fish that got planted into the Bogey (only 80,000) came from the Makah Hatchery on the Hoko.  No steelie plants in the Hoh either.  Also, the Snider fish for the Sol Duc had to be destroyed as well, so no late run.  Very few hatchery fish= very few fish to catch this time of year.  Hopefully guys dont take their aggressions out on the last few wild fish that come back this year.

[Button Nubbs]

It hasn't been slow everywhere

[JimmyHoffa]

I've heard similar about the late/no show of fish.  A few people are finding just a handful steelies mainly on the lower Hoh.  Also heard that the silvers never really came back in any great numbers this year.    Last time I saw big numbers of silvers in the rivers was 09.

[lostbackpacker]

Went Sunday the 23rd.  Went home w three limits

[TheHunt]

I have a few days and need some fish.

I might give it a go.  That is a long travel...  I am wondering if the Sol Duc or Hump would have some fish in it.

[_TONY_]

I have a few days and need some fish.

I might give it a go.  That is a long travel...  I am wondering if the Sol Duc or Hump would have some fish in it.

Pretty much all of the rivers that you pass on your way up, will have hatchery fish in them...

[BigGoonTuna]

the hump has some in it, but it's barely worth the 20 mile drive from my house to stand in the idiot line at stevens creek.

it's too bad it doesn't get the kind of return on its smolt plants that the other chehalis tributaries get, it'd be fantastic fishing.

[Fishaholic]

for the hump use jigs with a bobber and some shrimp on the jig it works great i use it for salmon on the hump to i got rid of all my spinners. i still use spoons though.

[_TONY_]

the hump has some in it, but it's barely worth the 20 mile drive from my house to stand in the idiot line at stevens creek.

it's too bad it doesn't get the kind of return on its smolt plants that the other chehalis tributaries get, it'd be fantastic fishing.

The 'nooch has been fishing really well...

[bankwalker]

the hump has some in it, but it's barely worth the 20 mile drive from my house to stand in the idiot line at stevens creek.

it's too bad it doesn't get the kind of return on its smolt plants that the other chehalis tributaries get, it'd be fantastic fishing.

The 'nooch has been fishing really well...

Yes it is.
I have went 2 for 3 in the last couple days. I've been fishing the limited bank access between wishkah rd and black creek.

[PolarBear]

Yeah, I hear the lower Nooch is pretty good right now.  I'm waiting to hit it a little further up.

[bankwalker]

The area around 7400 bridge is pretty dead right now. I prefer a lot higher up myself where I know the river good. The lower section is all new water for me.

[BigGoonTuna]

i drove to olympia on friday afternoon, there must have been 20 trailers at the satsop launch already   i can only assume the wynoochee was at least twice as crowded.  i've got a hard time getting psyched up to fish that river these days much less on the weekend, if you are lucky enough to be the first guy in a bank spot, you'll usually have a drift boat or sled pounding that water pretty shortly.  my old stand-by hole in the winter was down at the crossover, but the owner of the property lets some people drive in now, so it's not much fun walking a half mile and coming up on a dozen guys fishing that spot.

i used to really like fishing way, way up on the wynoochee but it just seems like it hasn't been that great in the last several years.  i've got a little sled but these days i find myself mostly sticking to places that boats can't or won't go for my steelhead fishing.