PNW fishing

Anyone else chasing salmon right now?

This is my first year going for salmon and steelhead (was late on the steelhead) fishing from the banks of rivers. Chum are flowing thick right now but I’m hoping there’s a B run of coho in the Duwamish/green soon?

Any recommendations on coastal rivers (not asking for honey holes) or areas for winter steel when they start coming in?

 

Everything was early this year for salmon, coho fishing in the puget sound was really heating up in august where it usually heats up mid-late September. There mightbe more coho showing up but I wouldnt hold my breath. good costal rivers to check out are the bogachiel, hoh, sol duck, or the wynoochee. the quinault has had the biggest steelhead in the state for a long time but you need a native guide and there numbers were down last year to the point that it was closed to fishing.

 

Nope, but after seeing your pictures, I wish that I was. Nothing like fresh Salmon.

 

I was unprepared for that…they were coming in so early and the coho seemed even more lock jawed because the water levels were so low and warm.
I definitely want to do quinault with a walk in guide sometime but hopefully their numbers go up. Is Humptulips doable without a boat?

 

Yeah there’s a decent amount of walk in spots on the hump. I’ve never really fished it for steelhead, just coho and kings. I’m sure it’s full of chums right now

 

Just caught and released 6-7 Coho yesterday

 

I haven't been to my honey hole in a couple weeks, but when the water was higher it was stacked with coho. Need more rain again.

 

Finally got the sled I always wanted. 2008 wooldridge alaskan 23’

 

Nice work!

 

Came back from an overseas vacation recently and am back at it after recovering from jet lag and a bad cold. Went 1/3 on some summers lingering around. Hopefully I’ll start seeing some winter soon.

 

Love my 17ft Wooldridge alaskan.
How's the tacoma pull that big boat around?

 

happy to be part of the club. It pulls pretty well but I haven't been on the highway with it yet. We used to have a 23ft glass boat with no trailer brakes so this feels a lot better than that haha

 

I hit up snoqualmie a few times this month. Once when it was close to 3k CFS and last time at 960 CFS or so and what a difference. Super low and clear and down maybe 3-4’. Still, got skunked both times. Not even a trout bite. Anyone know if it’s worth fishing there after December?

 

think it closes after tomorrow. Id recommend heading up to the sauk

 

Lots of nice steelhead so far this winter! Hope this weather bumps the rivers up a bit.

 

Quite late from your post, but congrats on the sled. I was a boat builder at Wooldridge from 2015-2023. You’re gonna love that thing. Awesome boat and truck!

 

Thanks man! I just went down to wooldridge to get some gunnel rod holders made and everyone there was awesome. Danny showed me all his steelhead in his office too which was cool.

 

Haha yup he likes to show off his big steelhead. Good crew down there for sure

 

I’m still chasing my first winter steelhead.

Caught a few firetruck and zombie cohos that are still lingering around though.




Hoping this upcoming rain pushes some more in without needing to go to combat fishing spots…

 

Nice work boys!