Just six miles long, the Quillayute River forms where the Bogachiel, Calawah and Sol Duc meet near Forks, then picks up the Dickey before reaching the Pacific at La Push. Because it carries the combined runs of several legendary Olympic Peninsula rivers, it’s a bucket-list destination for fall salmon and winter steelhead, about 3.5 to 4 hours from Seattle.
Seattle Fishing Company’s guide covers the full year. Winter is the headliner, with hatchery steelhead early and a catch-and-release wild fishery later in the season. Fall brings Chinook, coho and chum, plus pinks in odd years, with salmon seasons sometimes running into December. Spring centers on Sol Duc spring Chinook, and summer steelhead are available in the tributaries.
Access points include Leyendecker Park, Quillayute River County Park and its broad Richwine gravel bar, and the water near La Push. Much of the river is fished by boat, so hiring a Forks guide is often recommended. Top tactics include Blue Fox spinners for salmon, plunking spin-n-glos for early steelhead, and swinging spoons or drifting worms for wild fish. With rules co-managed by WDFW and the Quileute Tribe, check regulations before every trip.
Read the full post here: Fishing the Quillayute River
Fishing on the Snohomish River
