Question re river outfitters for wildlife viewing

[jackelope]

All those rivers and no River Otters?  Say it isn't so! 

Hopefully the Fisher will take off
http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/fisher-reintroduction.htm

Beautiful river pics btw, really jealous

I've seen river otters on the Grand Rhonde. I know they exist on other eastside rivers and maybe over on the peninsula. Not sure. Not anywhere near Seattle though.
Runamuk's right about the eagles on the Skagit. Later in the winter once the chum salmon are in the river, river guides will float just to sightsee the eagles.

[FC]

Not sure. Not anywhere near Seattle though.

I saw some pretty recently right out of Shilshole. 

[boneaddict]

Tough list of critters to spot in 5 days.   Two are feasible but not with any predictability.   The others like the Fisher are once in a lifetime critter.  I'd bet 99% of the members on this site have never seen one.  Probably 50% don't even know what one is.   More might know what a Martin is but doubt that 1% on here has seen one outside of NW trek.   A great place to view animals by the way, but still zoolike.  Otters are hit and miss as are weasels and mink.   

[GoldTip]

Tough list of critters to spot in 5 days.   Two are feasible but not with any predictability.   The others like the Fisher are once in a lifetime critter.  I'd bet 99% of the members on this site have never seen one.  Probably 50% don't even know what one is.   More might know what a Martin is but doubt that 1% on here has seen one outside of NW trek.   A great place to view animals by the way, but still zoolike.  Otters are hit and miss as are weasels and mink.

I would agree with Bone, coming west with any intent of seeing any of those critters within a 5 days period is a tall order.  The Fisher I would think your best bet would be in the far NE corner of the state, and extremely little chance you'll see one then.  I've never seen one in WA.  The river otter, even that's a maybe in a 5d period unless someone on here knows where a family of them lives.  Pine marten are much easier to find in Winter, usually weasels seem the same to me as well.  You've got a cool list of animals you want to see, but most are seen as happenstance as opposed to going looking for them. 

[quadrafire]

I have seen several otters in the Wenatchee river at Leavenworth, just off the golf course. May be dependent on fish runs, This would have been in Dec, Jan when I saw them. That would be a good sightseeing trip if you are driving over Stevens pass to the east side. Do the chicken dance in Leavenworth (a bavarian village styled town), and see the sights along the wenatchee river in tumwater canyon (driving), and the icicle river just outside of town.

[Ripper]

I have seen river otters on the Snohomish river a few times. I saw a family of five while walking along the river in Feb. Still, it's not something you see with any regularity. You are right about all the opinions on here, everyone has their own favorite places. If you don't mind skipping Rainier this trip, then I'd do the hwy 20 drive I mentioned earlier. Stay the night in Winthrop then get up and drive around to Leavenworth like someone else mentioned. A very neat Bavarian village. Stay the night then from there take Hwy 97 through Blewit Pass to Ellensburg. Jump on 84 and drive all the way to Oregon and stay the night. Then head West on I forget the Hwy to Portland and back to Seattle. That will give you a great overview of what this area is like. Lush green west side, Dry arid East side. You'll be along rivers most of the way, so wildlife viewing will be optimal.

[fish vacuum]

A lot of guides offer eagle watching trips on the rivers north of Seattle. Eagle numbers are highest in the winter months but there are plenty of resident birds around. If you want to pay them money to just float down the river, I'm sure most would be happy to do it any time.
One guide has recently started "eco tours" which might fit what you're looking for.
http://www.flyfishsteelhead.com/tours/eco-tour.htm

[Giesela1000]

Yea, I throw my mammal list out there knowing its all but practically impossible.  But you never know right?  That's why I also birdwatch.  Well anything and all nature really.  Those are just on the top of my wish list.
More good inputs.  Don't know how I'm going to sort out all my choices.  Wish I could retire and spend more time. 
I'm going to have to map out some of this. 
Thanks!

[eggster]

been seeing on average 15 deer on the cowlitz in the morning.also see beavers,otters,eagles,and even a bear.its about a 2 hour drive south of seattle.

[Giesela1000]

Thanks for chiming in eggster, that's quite the tip!  I don't have the best map, it looks like the Cowlitz starts around Mayfield Lake on hwy 12 and runs a little ways west and than turns and pretty much follows the highway 5 down to the Columbia...is that right? 
Any suggestions on which area or stops might be good? 

Also, is there a fav entrance to Mt Ranier and hotel reccomendations? 

[Deer slayer]

I recommend the Klickitat River. Look up Klickitat River Guides and ask for leidle to slide out trip. It has amazing scenery.

[Giesela1000]

I recommend the Klickitat River. Look up Klickitat River Guides and ask for leidle to slide out trip. It has amazing scenery.

Its just too far out of the way for this trip.

[JimmyHoffa]

20 looks amazing but I would have to do that instead of Ranier I think. 

My wildlife list would start with River Otters, then American Pine Marten, Fisher, mink, weasel.  None you can predict at all but at least with River Otters you know they are around water:)
I did find a tour on the Nisqually(sp?).  Not sure if it would be worth it or not...is that river and area pretty crowded?  I will be stopping at the NWR for birdwatching. 

Thanks for the rec on the Lodge.  Everyone seems to have their own favorite and I have to choose where to stop in the Olympic NWR.  Physical issues limit hiking right now.

River otters--behind the salmon hatchery on the Sol Duc River.  Or along the Hoh River behind cottonwood campground off Oil City Road.  Can get a boat ride from a fishing guide through either of these areas.
Pine Marten--Marmot Pass in the Buchkhorn Wilderness.  Requires a lot of hiking though.
Fishers--http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/fisher/updates.html

[Giesela1000]

Thank you so much for the otter tips.  I did some reading on Buckhorn and I'm probably not up to the task but I may take a drive to a trailhead just for the experience.