Fly fishing on the Olympic Peninsula


Fly fishing on the Olympic Peninsula is a wonderful, scenic and challenging experience.

Big, chrome bright native steelhead draw most anglers to the region and while there are hatchery runs here in the early winter, some of the other rivers also offer glipses of what once were prolific early winter native steelhead runs.

There are many rivers on the O.P. to experience, a single day is only going to wet your apetite at best for what is here. That said, most are guiding the 3 major and best known waters in the region and we do as well. Here are the most popular:

Hoh River -- Open June through mid April

Bogachiel River -- Open June through April

Sol Duc River -- Open June through April

Most of our guide staff grew up in the Pacific NW, if not right here in western Washington and have been fishing and guiding here for many years, if not decades. Because of this, we also offer trips on some of the lesser known waters on the O.P. as well both as walk and wade and float trips.

As a principal, we swing for steelhead and here is why:

1. You the angler are more involved in the effort it takes to hook and land one of these and we feel that is the way it should be.

2. You the angler become a more versatile and more accomplished angler by learning how to present a swung fly well. That is what we teach you, how to do it very well.

3. Our entire staff are acccomplished spey rod anglers and LOVE to spey cast. We believe your guide should be knowledgeable, confident and passionate about how you are choosing to pursue these fish.

4. You learn new skills, approaches and techniques that will further your fly angling career. We are all about that, making you the best angler you can be.

5. Spey casting is so freaking fun and we want to share it with you!

It is not to be elitist or to divide angrily divide those who love these fish, it is simply how we choose to guide and fish ourselves.

Summer on the O.P. for steelhead can be low and clear water with high sun, defining the need for longer leaders, well presented casts and thoughtful approach to the water.

Winter on the O.P. is a bit different. Water is cold and water color varies considerably from river to river. The Hoh is usually quite colorul with glacial silt while the Sol Duc can be clear as a bell on the same day. Here again thought towards presentation and such can make the difference between a fish or no fish.

What to expect on the O.P. for a steelhead trip weather wise, in short, anything so come prepared for the worst, here are our clothing recommendations. Summer, Winter

We are a strict catch and release fly fishing guide service. We believe this preserves our fisheries so that when you arrive to fish with us, we know and you know there will be fish awaiting you and your fly.

Here is a quick list of some recommended places to stay on the O.P. central to all the best fly angling.

Blue Heron Lodge
Miller Tree Inn
Brightwater House
Manitou Lodge
Quillayute River Resort

For more of the roof over your head, comfortable bed and hot shower, here are some of the better ones in town as well.

Pacific Inn Motel
Olympic Suites Inn

In short, we want to do all we can to ensure you have the best trip possible while visiting Bellingham, and fishing with us.

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