Olympic Peninsula Steelhead trip

[yubaman]

Three buddies and I made our annual steelhead run up to the Olympic Peninsula a couple of weeks ago. This was our third year for this trip, and we had just made a successful coastal California trip two weeks before this, so we were very stoked to head up there. We based out of the town of Forks, which put us within 30 minutes reach of 4 major rivers that have runs. Forks is pretty limited on dining options, especially on anything half decent for quality.

We had some good weather, as we only had a half day of serious rain on the first day of fishing. When we talk serious rain, it's a pretty different scale up here, as annual rainfall can hit 200+" in many areas. Beyond the first day, it was favorable weather, mostly cloudy and cool.

Each one of us had at least a couple of good days on the water out of the 4 days that we fished. The fish being caught are between 3 and 10 miles out of the ocean, depending on where you fish, so there are some hot fish in the water. Each of us were fortunate to land at least one steelhead in the 18 lb. range. It's kind of funny when you land what you think is a decent fish and the guide says, " Aw, it's only a 10 lb. fish"!!!!

For the hardcore steelheader, this is a great destination trip. The weather can go ugly in a hurry, and the rivers can blow out in a heartbeat, but then it wouldn't really be steelhading without that? The good news is that the rivers are pretty short and get back into shape in a hurry. A half inch of rain is nothing for these rivers. It is certainly a beautiful area to fish, very, very scenic. Below are a few pictures . . .

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

My good friend and Steelhead guide Mike McCune said the winter run fish on the coastal rivers of Nor Cal, Oregon and Washington are some of the last large wild Steelhead left in the world which makes chasing them worth while.

If a new comer to serious classic winter Steelheading can land one fresh run coastal hen of about 10 pounds they will be hooked forever.


I was lucky to have fished the California north coast rivers some for Steelhead in the 1970s.

Just seeing the violent fight of a wild Steelhead is spectacular to watch.

[yubaman]

The fish we caught here on the Eel and Van Duzen were actually brighter and more chrome than the fish in Washington. The average size of fish seems to be a little bigger up there on the OP. Either way, the rip on that reel of that first run is epic. Cheap reels don't have a long life span in either place.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks YubaMan

I am 73 this month and am a little sad that I don't feel up to chasing the winter run anymore but your report gives me hope that other are still taking the risk.


**I have many fond memories of being so cold chasing winter Steelhead, wading in Pyramid Lake and duck hunting in my younger days.

[John H]

Nice job on getting out there, Yubaman. That is what it is all about.

[yubaman]

In what looks like it was a nice weather day up there, look at this toad that they landed on the Hoh yesterday . . .13972

[Rick J]

awesome fish but be nicer if head and gills were in the water. Makes a good photo great

[STEELIES/26c3]

awesome fish but be nicer if head and gills were in the water. Makes a good photo great

Like the one in your profile photo?

[avidangler]

Illegal to remove native steelhead from the water in washington. Should make that a rule wherever they swim.

[lee s.]

Not sure if we want to carry all the paraphernalia to determine if a fish is native or just WILD......and kudos to STEELIES/26c3
I do believe in respecting our fish, I don't believe in pampering them....nature sure doesn't.
....lee s.

[yubaman]

So guys, just to make it clear . . . I did not catch the Steelhead, I did not take the picture, I was not there. Just passing along a picture of a nice fish that someone landed up there. It is correct, Washington says leave them in the water.

[Rick J]

Steelies - I take your point and that photo is from 8 years ago and one of the last times I have ever gone for a "hero" shot. Since then I have read much more about impacts to fish out of water and been involved as the CA TU representative for TUs Wild Steelhead Initiative. I cringe some about past handling practices. I will say that my fish in question was out for less than 10 seconds but I make no excuses. I have learned and try to be better than my old self

Best,
Rick

[donkeyhunter007]

we most definietley should be pampering these fish. They enrich our lives and the environment on multiple levels.
The steelhead have co-evolved with "nature" just fine....... excliuding ONE species....Human Beings. The rapid decline of steelhead is directly related to the activitvities of man.
Lets enjoy our old hero shots. i am not gonna blast Trey Combes for a 30year old Hero Shot, just like i am not gonna bash the LImit Takers of the past who didnt know better. We know better now.
.........we know now its better to keep them in the water and limit the stress to the fish. This is NOT Fake News.

Please dont fish Bait on our coastal rivers. The fish are wild and they take flies.

[STEELIES/26c3]

Steelies - I take your point and that photo is from 8 years ago and one of the last times I have ever gone for a "hero" shot. Since then I have read much more about impacts to fish out of water and been involved as the CA TU representative for TUs Wild Steelhead Initiative. I cringe some about past handling practices. I will say that my fish in question was out for less than 10 seconds but I make no excuses. I have learned and try to be better than my old self

Best,
Rick

Fair enough... I'm not holier than thou either... I respect and appreciate your honesty and forthrightness. Thank You and thanks for caring for the fish.

In many ways, I'm no purist. I fish gear. I harvest and eat hatchery steelhead and salmon and stripers. But I also treat all fisheries and all fish with respect, even hatchery steelhead, stripers, salmon, suckers, or sculpin. I treat them all like they are alive and fragile... in how I target them, where I target them, how I fight them, land them, and how I handle (or don't handle) them, and release them. I'm rarely seen in any of my fish photos as I keep them more for records and data than to share.

I have a friend who is a serious striper guy like myself and he's caught many 40 and 50 lb stripers in our American River. I always take photos of my monsters before putting them back but he rarely takes a photo of his big stripers. "I know what they look like" he says... "I don't need photos..." I have tremendous respect for him in that regard. I still want my photo but I won't compromise the safe release of a fish to get one and that's my line in the sand...

Anyway, I feel bad for calling you out. After I did, I thought a PM might have been a more tactful option.

Thanks for bringing the situation to light and airing it out as now there is mutual understanding and an opportunity for an important conversation to continue without shame or hurt feelings.

CHEERS!
Mark

[Larry S]

Civility and respect are the hallmarks of the Kiene Forum.
Happy Easter to all!
Larry S
Sun Diego

[Rick J]

Steelies - I was wondering if someone would call me out and glad you did - it was the right thing to do and was done without any flaming - just making an observation. I can't quite bring myself to change the photo as it brings back such fond memories of one of the most beautiful and memorable steelhead I have caught on a skater no less

Best,
Rick

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Today, my contribution to the wild Steelhead is to just watch them on YouTube.

I can only imagine the hours people spend yearly swinging flies for wild winter run Steelhead.

I am so excited that in our lifetime they are finally taking out some dams.