Flowing about 60 miles from the Olympic Mountains to the Chehalis River near Montesano, the Wynoochee is a clear, cold, dam-regulated river that often stays fishable after storms blow out its neighbors. It’s roughly 2 to 2.5 hours from Seattle and pairs easily with the Satsop or Chehalis on the same trip. Seattle Fishing Company’s …
Summer Steelhead
Complete Guide to fishing the Skykomish River
Fast, boulder-filled and full of classic runs, the Skykomish River forms near Index and flows about 29 miles past Gold Bar and Sultan before joining the Snoqualmie near Monroe. Just 45 minutes to an hour from Seattle, the “Sky” is one of the region’s most famous steelhead rivers, with Highway 2 providing easy access. Seattle …
Our guide to fishing the Quillayute River
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 …
Our complete guide to fishing the Humptulips River
Flowing out of the Olympic National Forest into the north side of Grays Harbor, the Humptulips River is often called the heart of the Washington coast’s fall salmon fishery. It’s about 2.5 to 3 hours from Seattle, and it pairs well with other nearby central coast rivers for a multi-river trip. Seattle Fishing Company’s guide …
Guide to fishing the Sol Duc River
Winding about 78 miles from the Olympic Mountains through classic peninsula rainforest, the Sol Duc River joins the Bogachiel near Forks to form the Quillayute. The river supports all five species of Pacific salmon and some of the healthiest wild steelhead stocks in the Pacific Northwest. Expect a 3.5- to 4-hour trip from Seattle. Seattle …
Our guide to fishing the Chehalis River
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 …
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 …
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 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 …
Seattle and Washington State Fishing Report – June 2022
I needed to cast a wide net to capture even half the great fishing opportunities we have in Washington State this month. Every corner of the state is brimming with fisheries that are worth your time. I want to thank all the great charter captains and guides that shared their reports with us. Have a …
Seattle and Washington State Fishing Report – June 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 …
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
Steelhead Fishing Opens on Columbia River
Eastern Washington Steelhead anglers will get a large section of the Columbia River to fish once again. With over 113,000 Steelhead already over Bonneville Dam, it should be good fishing! Date: November 1, 2020 Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to open hatchery steelhead retention from the Dalles Dam to the Highway 395 Bridge …
16 of the Best Skykomish River Fishing Spots
The Skykomish River is Seattle’s favorite Salmon and Steelhead River. The Skykomish River is one of Washington’s most famous Salmon and Steelhead fishing rivers. Summer Steelhead, Dolly Varden, Pink Salmon, Coho Salmon, Chum Salmon, Chinook Salmon and Trout inhabit the river. If you are yearning to learn more about exploring the Skykomish River, then you …
How to Catch Summer Steelhead
Summer wouldn’t be the same without river fishing for Steelhead! Summer Steelhead are one of the most prized catches that swim in our Pacific Northwest rivers. If you are a fisher who just recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, or are simply interested in trying out a new fishery, then you are exactly the person …
Skykomish River Summer Steelhead at Reiter
First Summer Steelhead fishing trip on the Skykomish River this year! I always tell myself, “you have to invest more time fishing for Summer Runs,” and usually, I don’t listen to myself enough. Summer is a hectic time of year for most people that live around here, myself included. We spend months indoors, pining, waiting …
