Summer Road Trip to Vancouver

[thepeacockspecial]

I'm planning a road 2 week road trip from San Francisco to Vancouver. I was wondering if anyone was able to provide me some information on which rivers in Oregon, WA, and CANADA that are fishable during the summer. The only rivers I know I I'll stop by to fish.. is the Rogue and Deschutes. I'm unfamiliar with the rivers up there. Can I get some help here?

[shawn kempkes]

What is your time frame. The biggest problem you could run into is low water conditions.
But I would definately hit the olympic peninsula.

[Tony Buzolich]

Hey peacock,?

When you're passing through Eugene give the McKenzie a try. There is some great steelhead fishing right in town during the summer.
TONY

[pvsprme]

Hey peacock,?

When you're passing through Eugene give the McKenzie a try. There is some great steelhead fishing right in town during the summer.
TONY

The willamette tribs; Clackamas, North Satiam & McK all have summer fish. Look for the Springer run (April/May), they come in fat as they have to winter over before spawning the following spring. SW WA has em in the Kalama & Lewis. Jim Kerr @ Raincoast Guides can help you there.
As with all steel, it's about the timing.

[joshfish]

the n. umpqua has a summer run. beautiful river to fish.

[thepeacockspecial]

thanks all. i'll look into those rivers. i plan to fish at least 1 full day on each river and keep on moving up. depending on how much time i have left on my way back, ill fish the ones i skunked in lol..i'm keeping my hopes up that i don't skunk on every watershed lol.... wishful thinking :p

[Ned Morris]

Depending on what month of summer you are headed can have some impacts where you should go. Also if you are bringing a drift boat or strictly shore accessing it? If not bringing boat this is what I would do if leaving in August-

Go all the way up to WA and fish the Skagit - It will be an off year for Pinks but you can catch them in good numbers right near I-5 and good shore access. Pink flies and get it down deep! Let them all go too. Pinks are not that good eating.

I know you're saying why not fish McKenzie or N. Umqua OR rivers for that matter. Well if it's hot, and it gets warm up there that time of year, not gonna do to well. I lived in Eugene for 5 years of college and speak from experience. Fall is the time to go. McKenzie is a good summer steelhead fishery but you need a boat. You could hit the Upper Willamette below Dexter but it resembles Nimbus. Snaggers are thick!

If you got time go straight to Vancouver and take Ferry over to Nanaimo Vancouver Island and drive to Campbell River. See some history of Roderick Haig-Brown house and great fishing in the Salt from shore for Cohos, Pinks, and Chums plus some sea-run cutts. Not to mention Campbell River itself. Gold River also has excellent Summer Steelhead fishing too but they are on the smaller side (4-7lbs).

I would then drive down to Victoria and take the Coho Ferry to Port Angeles and Drive to Forks WA, TONS of great fishing for Summer Steelies and Cohos in the nearby rivers with good shore access.

Go down Hood Canal and there are a couple spots to fish for Hatchery Cohos as well but you will have plenty of company.

Like I said, have no idea when you're leaving but throwing out some ideas for you.

[thepeacockspecial]

when you mentioned forks, i thought about how crazy my gf would be wanting to get a ton of souvenirs there... i just might pass that up even though the fishing there might be great. lol..i'll map a chart out for you guys. just trying to not steer myself away too far from the i5 to save myself time.

i'll be wading.. no boat for me.. so whichever rivers provides good shore access, i'll be visiting for sure. i honestly think 2 weeks is not enough for this kind of trip :( but i'm gonna have to manage and choose my rivers wisely.

the ferry idea sounds good though. I'll probably take it on my way back. thanks for all the feedback. i really really really appreciate your time into replying to my thread. just trying to make this the best summer vacation ever.