Northwest Fishing Reports

I've never caught a steelhead in my life and I really want to go catch one so I have thursday friday and saturday off this week and don't mind making a trip even out of state. I don't want to return to work with out a fish story again. So where could I go to improve my odds of catching that elusive steelhead. I understand no where is a gurantee but would like to improve my odds. And rembere distance does not matter to me.

Wish I could answer that question, lol. I've caught 5 steelies in the last week and still don't know the answer to that question. I guess that's steelheading though ha

Where At?

Pay the extra $$ and get yourself a guided trip on the coast or SW Washington. It will be well worth it. My guess is starting Thursday after the snow storm is over and the rain hits a huge rain-on-snow event will likely blow out most coastal and PS rivers for at least a week. I would suggest hitting a dam controlled river.... say maybe, the Cowlitz?

Get a guide!

I wouldnt mind that but my pocket sure would is there anyone out there you would recomend that wont break the bank?

Expect to pay 150$ per person per day for a reputable guide service. The Blue Creek area has plenty of bank access and always has fish, if you want to just go for it I'd say hit that up. Fish glow in the dark corkys and yarn w/ scent at night and bobber/jig during the day. Good luck.

Also, try using the "Search" feature of the forum, and check the river fishing section for more info.

http://washingtonlakes.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Guides are kinda spendy for one guy, about half price if there is 2 guys on a drift boat. Think about it the guy has to get gear ready the night before and be hitched up to a well maintained boat (2-3 hours) get up at 4 or 5 am to get on the river. Then you pay 300 for a trip down the river he spends 50 on gas, 50 on all the gear you loose and another 15 on propane for the heaters 30 for the shuttle service, a few bucks on lunch and your down to $150 bucks for an 18 hour day... the guy is making about 9 bucks an hour when its all done.

Try to find a buddie to go with, ask around at work and see if anyone can go with ya. As for a good river for steelhead I cant seem to get one yet either.
Google Mike Z Guide He is one of the best

Look at the late run rivers, and hit 'em before they blow, but on the way up. The Skookumchuck, wynoochee, or of course the cow. There are lots of fish on the OP, if yer gonna make it a multi-day trip I'd checkout the queets, the sol duc etc. But if you're willing to drive outta state, a guide on the cow will fit the same bill as gas to get to the vedder, or anywhere east or south. Just sayin. Going out with a guide gets you on fish.

Welcome to the board Fish-freak! That is some really good advise, also. If you do use a guide service, pay special close attention to their setups, locations, and bait when they are getting into fish. A guide can be a great way to learn new water for the first time.

The thing is with a guide you learn how to fish out of a boat which I do not have so I do not think this would really benefit me. Great advice tho thanks guys.

That is certainly NOT all you can learn fishing with a guide. Rigging, bait, gear, presentation, location, the list goes on an on. From the view point of a shore bound angler, covering a lot of water will show you new areas to access along the bank that you were unaware of previously. I know I learned lots of new spots along the Sky this way fishing from my boat. Also, fishing with a guide will give you an idea of where in a system the fish are currently staging. These people fish for a living, there is much to be learned from them if you are willing.

Matt wrote: These people fish for a living, there is much to be learned from them if you are willing.

I cannot say enough about fishing with a top notch guide. I fish A LOT. Like many people on this forum, but I almost NEVER target Steelhead or salmon. ( I have fished steelhead like 3x total) and salmon, not counting Pinks,, maybe 5x.
I have fished with a guide for salmon just once... I caught the 30lb native King in my avitar. The next time out (same guide) I caught a 19lb native Steelhead. It was all about the guide.

Who's ur guide

Wow dude calm the ef down I'm taking the advice didn't u see the part where I said thanks for the advice and if that's the kind of attitude u want to have ur going to make a bad name for your self on here so how about thinking before we post

Look guy your advice you gave was great I took it into consideration and plan on doing it. I'm looking into getting a guide when funds do allow. I don't even know where you are getting that Im shutting down advice when all Ive done is ask a little bit more about guide service and as a matter of fact Im even talk to a guide service that I'm thinking of going out with. You comming in here accusing me of things that are nopt true is not cool.
P.S. I don't need a gramar lesson on a fishing website either

Apparently you do...... And we are a very close family of friends here so lose the attitude and be nice and be welcomed by the gang. Hackles up after a post or two is not very becoming.

chill out everyone, shall we?

There are also guides that are specifically for shore-bound anglers. I know of one, but his web site is not quite ready and I'm not sure he is ready to be public until it is. He'll see this and can shoot you a PM to give you more information. Great one on one service that isn't going to cost you an arm and a leg and will show you some spots and techniques to use. It's a nice alternative from going out with a guide in a boat.

Mike Carey wrote: I know of one, but his web site is not quite ready and I'm not sure he is ready to be public until it is. He'll see this and can shoot you a PM to give you more information. .

I've got 20 bucks that says I can guess who this is..... If I'm correct, I would say that this site has done this guy and his future customers a huge favor by just being a public forum.
(maybe that would mean that he doesn't need my f.f. anymore, if he guides exclusively from the bank)

Thanks mike if it's who I think it is he has already contacted me and I'm thinking of possibly doing that

Mikeel1987 wrote:Thanks mike if it's who I think it is he has already contacted me and I'm thinking of possibly doing that

cool. I'm not trying to be secretive, I just don't want to jump the gun on the guy.