As the largest river system on the Washington Coast, the Chehalis flows more than 125 miles from the Willapa Hills to Grays Harbor at Aberdeen, fed by productive tributaries like the Wynoochee, Satsop and Skookumchuck. The upper river is just 1.5 to 2 hours from Seattle, making it one of the easiest big rivers to …
Steelhead
The rivers of the Pacific Coast region host great fishing for Steelhead. This page showcases great How To articles, blog posts, fishing reports, fishing seasons, tips and techniques on catching Steelhead in the rivers of Washington, Oregon, Alaska, British Columbia and California. We focus on fishing in the rivers of Puget Sound like the Skykomish River, Snoqualmie River, Skagit River. Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is a world class locale for catching trophy Steelhead in river like the Sol Duc River, Hoh River, Bogachiel River, Queets River, Humptulips River, Wynoochee River and others.
Guide to fishing the Nemah River
Made up of North, Middle and South forks that flow through the Willapa Hills into Willapa Bay near Bay Center, the Nemah River is a small, wild coastal system surrounded by some of the region’s least-disturbed old-growth forest. It sits near the Naselle, about 3.5 to 4 hours from Seattle, so many anglers fish both …
Complete guide to fishing the Naselle River
Winding through the coastal rainforest of Pacific County before emptying into Willapa Bay, the Naselle River is a small, quiet stream known for chrome-bright winter steelhead and a strong fall coho run. It’s a 3.5- to 4-hour drive from Seattle, but anglers are rewarded with misty, moss-covered scenery and far fewer crowds than rivers closer …
Guide to fishing on the Lewis River
With two steelhead runs and four salmon runs, the Lewis River near Woodland offers year-round fishing just two hours south of Seattle. Three dams on the North Fork keep flows cold and stable below Merwin Dam, so the river often stays fishable when neighboring rivers blow out, and it tends to see lighter crowds than …
Our guide to fishing the Kalama River
Draining the southwest side of Mount St. Helens, the Kalama River runs about 45 miles to the Columbia near the town of Kalama, and its clear, green water produces steelhead in nearly every month of the year. Just two hours south of Seattle with access right off I-5, it’s one of Southwest Washington’s most convenient …
Complete guide to fishing the Klickitat River
Flowing about 96 miles from Mount Adams to the Columbia River at Lyle, the Klickitat is famous for some of Washington’s hardest-fighting summer steelhead and fall Chinook. It’s a 2.5- to 3-hour drive from Seattle through the scenic Columbia River Gorge, and its glacial source keeps the water cold, milky and quick to change. Seattle …
Guide to fishing on the Puyallup River
Born on the glaciers of Mount Rainier, the Puyallup River runs about 45 miles to Tacoma’s Commencement Bay and ranks among the most accessible salmon rivers near Seattle. The lower river is just 35 to 40 minutes away, making it an easy after-work option. Because it’s glacier-fed, though, it can turn high and milky quickly, …
Our guide to fishing the Cowlitz River
Backed by one of Washington’s largest hatchery programs, the Cowlitz River offers salmon and steelhead action nearly every month of the year. The river flows about 105 miles from the Cascades near Mount Rainier to the Columbia at Longview and Kelso, and its upstream dams keep flows steadier and clearer than on many nearby rivers, …
Guide to fishing on the Green River
Flowing roughly 65 miles out of the Cascade foothills before becoming the Duwamish, the Green River is one of the most convenient salmon and steelhead fisheries near Seattle. The lower river around Auburn and Kent is about a half-hour drive from the city, while the dramatic upper gorge near Enumclaw and Black Diamond is about …
Complete Guide to fishing the Queets River
Flowing out of the Olympic Mountains, the Queets River spends most of its length inside Olympic National Park, giving anglers a rare amount of public access. Downstream, it enters the Quinault Indian Reservation, where fishing requires a tribal guide. Seattle Fishing Company’s complete guide explains how to make the most of this wild Olympic Peninsula …
Complete guide to fishing the Hoh River
Born in the glaciers of Mount Olympus, the Hoh River winds through one of the world’s wettest temperate rainforests before reaching the Pacific, and it ranks among the Olympic Peninsula’s most iconic fishing rivers. Seattle Fishing Company’s guide breaks down when, where and how to fish it. Winter belongs to Steelhead, Chinook and Coho take …
Guide to fishing the Bogachiel River near Forks
Just outside Forks, the self-proclaimed Steelhead capital of the Pacific Northwest, the Bogachiel River is one of the Olympic Peninsula’s most productive salmon and steelhead streams. Fed by rain and springs in Olympic National Park, “the Bogey” usually runs clear but is often among the first rivers to blow out after heavy storms, and fishing …
Washington’s Coastal 2024-25 Steelhead Seasons Set
We received great news for Washington’s Coastal Steelheaders! Steelhead run forecasts look to be the best we’ve seen in years, and many of the rivers of the Washington Coast will be open for Steelhead fishing (for at least part of the winter) for the first time in years. We wrote up a thorough post at …
Seattle and Washington State Fishing Report – January 2022
Frigid winter weather isn’t going to keep us off the water here in Washington State! For those of us that are eager to get out, we have some great Salmon, Steelhead and Trout fisheries, coastal Razor Clams to dig, and Puget Sound squid to catch. All the fisheries mentioned are bright spots so far, and …
Seattle and Washington State Fishing Report – January 2022Read More
How to Tie a Simple Marabou Steelhead Jig
Float fishing with a bobber and jig is a killer technique for Steelhead! Although there are many variations of the Steelhead Jig, a basic marabou jig can be a great way to break into jig tying. It’s simple and easy to tie. Here is your step by step tutorial. What you’ll need: How to start …
Your Guide to Fishing in Seattle – The City and Beyond.
Fishing in and around Seattle, Washington In this article, we are going to talk about fishing in and around the City of Seattle. And believe me, there is a lot to talk about when it comes to this subject. We have phenomenal fishing opportunities within the city limits. As well as a countless fishing spots …
Your Guide to Fishing in Seattle – The City and Beyond.Read More
New Steelhead Egg Clusters from Western Fishing Operations
Yesterday evening I got caught up in a heavy snow flurry on Highway 18 at the Tiger Mountain Summit. I thought to myself, winter is here early… and it won’t be long before frigid early mornings, launching my drift boat, and Winter Steelhead fishing! Instead of calling it a day, I ended up in my …
New Steelhead Egg Clusters from Western Fishing OperationsRead More
8 Amazing Techniques to Catch Winter Steelhead
The most popular quarry found in our Pacific Northwest rivers is the Winter Steelhead, we will teach you how to catch them. Although most of our rivers host Steelhead throughout much of the year, it is the winter months that bring in strong numbers of fish and plenty of excitement. I want to share with …
Guide to Fishing in Washington – Visitors, Newcomers and Beginners
Washington State is a wonderland of fishing opportunities. For a beginner to Washington fishing, our state’s vast diversity of fishing options can seem overwhelming. But, we will help you get through this, and find some great fishing! If you are a visitor, just moved to Washington, or are new to fishing in general, this post …
Guide to Fishing in Washington – Visitors, Newcomers and BeginnersRead More
The Best 15 Lures for Winter Steelhead Fishing
Chilly winter weather brings a lot of excitement for fishermen around the Pacific Northwest. Winter Steelhead fishing is one of the favorite targets for anglers from December through April. Here are a few of my favorite Winter Steelhead lures for tackling your next trophy. A variety of Winter Steelhead fishing techniques utilize these lures, so …
