Post by: deerhunter_98520 on May 31, 2014, 07:38:21 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 31, 2014, 08:12:33 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 31, 2014, 08:13:38 AM
Post by: Bullkllr on May 31, 2014, 08:21:08 AM
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,148480.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,148480.0.html)
Great info & guides in that link, but it kinda depends on what kind of experience you want.
Cowlitz in a sled for summer runs is fun, and should be good for numbers (hopefully a good year).
If you want a chance for bigger fish, and to fish out of a drift boat, look to fish north of you between late January-March. Lots of good guides- I'd recommend local and experienced (but those aren't the only good ones): George Rose, Oneill, McGee, Larry Scott, Kratzer, Zavadlow, etc.
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on May 31, 2014, 07:13:17 PM
Post by: Westside88 on May 31, 2014, 08:07:54 PM
Post by: WAbowhntr on May 31, 2014, 08:15:17 PM
www.adventurefishing.net (http://www.adventurefishing.net)
Post by: mossyoak arrow slinger on May 31, 2014, 09:08:42 PM
Post by: Buck_Nasty11 on May 31, 2014, 09:31:40 PM
Post by: WDFW Hates ME!!! on June 01, 2014, 04:25:58 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 01, 2014, 06:45:00 PM
Post by: WSU on June 02, 2014, 07:40:54 AM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 02, 2014, 09:51:16 AM
Post by: bearpaw on June 02, 2014, 10:01:52 AM
Post by: snowpack on June 02, 2014, 10:24:12 AM
I think if you go to some of the bigger rivers where they have sleds, anytime after the springers are done should work...until the fall Chinook come in.
For the smaller rivers, it seems like more fish come in late (August) but are easier to catch early (June). The rivers still get a lot of snow melt early and decent flow and water color. Later in the year they get really low and gin clear and the fish can spot a human walking on the bank or see your fishing line so you have to move down to 6 lb test or lighter. You have to use rafts instead of driftboats in places because the water gets so low.
Post by: WDFW Hates ME!!! on June 02, 2014, 12:02:49 PM
Post by: rackattack on June 02, 2014, 12:30:00 PM
Bearpaw, I'm not a guide but I can guarantee you a fish if you want to come down and fish. I have all the gear and I catch fish everyday.Chris, are you still trolling for chubs, or are you targeting the trowser trout now? :chuckle:
Post by: SeaRun1 on June 02, 2014, 02:11:19 PM
I recommend Justin Tenzler of Olympic peninsula outfitters. Great guy and great fisherman. Catches some brutes each year.
Lots of these guys are good people and great fisherman. I know Justin and he is one of the most knowledgeable fisherman you will ever meet. He approaches the water like a scientist and really knows his fish, their habitat, and all of the nuances of the OP rivers. Great guy as well.
SR1
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 02, 2014, 02:50:47 PM
Post by: WSU on June 02, 2014, 03:03:15 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 02, 2014, 03:16:09 PM
If I were you, I'd pick something out your way that you can do on your own. You are in a great location for a small stream angler!
I have a co worker with a drift boat that said he would take me but I've always wanted to just try a guide one time and he said he wanted to go too
Post by: WSU on June 02, 2014, 03:17:49 PM
If I were you, I'd pick something out your way that you can do on your own. You are in a great location for a small stream angler!
I have a co worker with a drift boat that said he would take me but I've always wanted to just try a guide one time and he said he wanted to go too
I would definitely go with a guide. I'm just saying to figure out a river you'd like to fish in the future. You will have fun and learn a ton for the future while you're doing it.
Post by: floatinghat on June 02, 2014, 03:20:53 PM
You could get a guide for one day and spend a couple DIY.
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 02, 2014, 03:31:16 PM
Post by: WSU on June 02, 2014, 03:32:53 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 02, 2014, 03:39:51 PM
Post by: WSU on June 02, 2014, 03:45:00 PM
Post by: Forks on June 02, 2014, 04:00:19 PM
George Rose fishes the Hoh for summers. Everyone and their mom fishes the nooch for summers. The hump gets damn-few summers. I'm not sure who guides it in the summer.Goerge gets my vote on the coast. He's a great guy and you will learn a bunch by watching and asking only a couple questions a trip.
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 02, 2014, 04:02:51 PM
I haven't but you won't be able to go on your own. It is tribal only.
I know...that's why I was told it was such great fishing
Post by: Bullkllr on June 02, 2014, 04:19:58 PM
Pros: it is less crowded (mostly); 30+ miles of river; can run a sled (most guides do);doesn't go out easily; lotsa hatchery fish; can keep wild fish (if that's a +); as good a shot at a bigger fish as anywhere
Cons: native guide is required/can't learn with a guide to fish it on your own; wild fish escapement is not great; ; when it gets high and colored it can stay that way for weeks; better guides are pretty busy
For a one-time deal I'd think you might learn more that you could apply on your own on a different river.
So you're thinking about next winter?
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 02, 2014, 04:31:14 PM
Post by: Curly on June 02, 2014, 04:48:53 PM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on June 02, 2014, 04:53:24 PM
I haven't but you won't be able to go on your own. It is tribal only.
I know...that's why I was told it was such great fishing
Used to be. It gets the crap netted out of it. There is a good hatchery summer run fishery in late Sept and Oct. And for big hogs look to the end of Jan when the monster hatchery fish come back.
Post by: SeaRun1 on June 02, 2014, 04:54:47 PM
Does justin have a website?
Yep...
Olympicpeninsulaoutfitters.net
PM me if you have any questions or want a referral.
SR1
Post by: mossyoak arrow slinger on June 02, 2014, 06:02:39 PM
Does justin have a website?
Yep...
Olympicpeninsulaoutfitters.net
PM me if you have any questions or want a referral.
SR1
Dang good guide.
Post by: mossyoak arrow slinger on June 02, 2014, 06:05:56 PM
I recommend Justin Tenzler of Olympic peninsula outfitters. Great guy and great fisherman. Catches some brutes each year.
Lots of these guys are good people and great fisherman. I know Justin and he is one of the most knowledgeable fisherman you will ever meet. He approaches the water like a scientist and really knows his fish, their habitat, and all of the nuances of the OP rivers. Great guy as well.
SR1
Just saw this! I have only fished with justin one time but my cousin has a few times. Very very knowledgable and determined.
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 02, 2014, 06:22:15 PM
Post by: Bullkllr on June 02, 2014, 07:27:13 PM
I'm thinking this summer if possible or next winter...maybe both
Reason I was asking (and I'm sure you can find exceptions to this); runs of steelhead on the peninsula are much stronger in the winter than in the summer. Not really enough water or fish to keep many guides in business. That's why many of them move to SW streams (Cowlitz, etc.) where consistent amounts of water and summer runs are more prevalent.
I'd look to Cowlitz/Columbia this summer, peninsula late Jan- March.
Post by: mossyoak arrow slinger on June 02, 2014, 07:27:23 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 02, 2014, 08:28:39 PM
Post by: SeaRun1 on June 02, 2014, 08:51:34 PM
His website says he's in Alaska till sept.
He is staying home this year. Give him a call. I know he has been doing some Springer trips on the OP and summer run trips as well.
He is tied up literally right now tying 1000's of flies for his (former) lodge. He has plans for expanding his winter guiding and knows the summer runs on the OP pretty well. He got me started on them.
SR1
mossyoak are you a long time GH guy?
Post by: mossyoak arrow slinger on June 03, 2014, 05:47:22 AM
Post by: WSU on June 03, 2014, 07:44:23 AM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 03, 2014, 08:39:28 AM