Olympic Peninsula trout fishing
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There certainly are plenty of trout on the Olympic Peninsula waters. We don't have the kind of "resident" trout fishing that many other regions enjoy, but we do have enough to keep most fishermen happy, if they are willing to do the work. There are cutthroat that never stay from the streams or lakes, and there are cutthroat that go to sea every spring, to return in the later summer or fall. And there are some resident rainbows, (termed "residualized steelhead"), that are caught on occasion. And we do have some summer steelhead. There's Bull Trout too. And some of the mountain lakes have some brook trout left. The beaches have good fishing for sea-run coastal cutthroat trout too.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
https://www.amazon.com/Fly-Fishing-Guide-Olympic-Peninsula-Doug/dp/157188419X
https://www.amazon.com/Fishing-Olym...8986371&sr=1-2&keywords=Doug+Rose+fly+fishing
https://www.amazon.com/Steelhead-Fl...8986467&sr=1-3&keywords=Doug+Rose+fly+fishing
Doug is gone now. But he left behind a good body of work on the Olympic Peninsula fly fishing life. You will do well to read his works. He will lead you to the trout.
If you do some searching on these forum pages you will find trip reports, stories, and plenty of information about fishing out here at the end of the road. Most of us have had to work long and hard to find the fishing that we did. So don't be surprised if people are not too quick to hand it over to you easily online.
http://olympicpeninsulaflyfishing.blogspot.com
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Probably won't get a lot of responses about specific places, but in general there are two types of trout fisheries on the OP moving waters. Searun cutts will be found in the lower reaches of any stream emptying into the salt from late summer thru fall. Pick any river any and you will find find them. Just check the regs closely as there are a lot of closures this year.
The other fishery is high elevation streams above anadromous access points. Most of these will require some degree of hiking and can offer numerous small native trout. Lots of places in the park to explore.
The other fishery is high elevation streams above anadromous access points. Most of these will require some degree of hiking and can offer numerous small native trout. Lots of places in the park to explore.
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As one drives along Hwy. 101, it seems that you are crossing a bridge over a river or creek every 30 miles or so. While the lower reaches of these rivers are surrounded by private property, the upper reaches are on Forest Service or Olympic National Park land. Doug's books are a solid now as they were when he wrote them (except for the Elwha which is still closed to trout fishing during salmonid/steelhead restoration post dam removal). Check the park's web site for current regulations for those waters. You will encounter mostly cutts and some rainbows and maybe even some brookies. On rare occasions, you might even encounter a bull trout. The fish generally won't be big but with the appropriate-sized gear, you can have a great time.
Another flowing water option would be to learn the ways of the searun cutts. Think of Puget Sound and Hood Canal as rivers that change directions several times a day. These fish take flies readily but the challenge is to learn when and where they are located. Hire Bob Triggs for a day and he will greatly reduce your learning curve.
Steve
Another flowing water option would be to learn the ways of the searun cutts. Think of Puget Sound and Hood Canal as rivers that change directions several times a day. These fish take flies readily but the challenge is to learn when and where they are located. Hire Bob Triggs for a day and he will greatly reduce your learning curve.
Steve
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What a gem of a book from Doug Rose. I have three of his. Are there any others?
Also, Triggs, thanks for the Sea J's recommendation for fish and chips (read from another thread). I went by there after work today and surprised the wife with brews and fried fish. It was delicious.
Also, I remember from my "Made it" thread that some folks were talking of bad-ass breakfast joints around Port Townsend. Please inform me. I'm assuming there is no spot burning associated with this. If so, forgive my uncouth request.
I have plans to hit my first SRC beach next week. Cross your fingers. I'll report back.
Also, Triggs, thanks for the Sea J's recommendation for fish and chips (read from another thread). I went by there after work today and surprised the wife with brews and fried fish. It was delicious.
Also, I remember from my "Made it" thread that some folks were talking of bad-ass breakfast joints around Port Townsend. Please inform me. I'm assuming there is no spot burning associated with this. If so, forgive my uncouth request.
I have plans to hit my first SRC beach next week. Cross your fingers. I'll report back.
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Salvy, Go to the "Blue Moose Cafe", in the Boat Haven, at the Port of Port Townsend. The entrance is across from the McDonald's, at the traffic light next to the Safeway. Go into the Boat Haven two blocks. The Blue Moose is on the left. They serve only breakfast until 2 p.m. on the weekends. On weekdays they serve breakfast until 11. Lunch is then served until 2. Real Food. The coffee is roasted fresh daily, next door at the Sunrise Coffee Company.
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Actually called ONP visitors center yesterday and discovered the Elhwa is open to fish now as far as dam removal goes, but they are repairing a washed out bridge and the trail is closed to public til repair is complete...late Sept/early Oct!!! STOKED!!
BJ
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I think you may have been misinformed. WDFW says it's closed to fishing and so does the Park's website.
https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm
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OK, I just got off the phone with the visitor center again to confirm. First off, my wife and I are planning to hike into the park 8 to 12 miles up to the ranger station so we will be inside the park not in the valley where the dams were. The Ranger did in fact confirm that as soon as they are done repairing the trail and the bridge from the washouts last spring it will open to all activities including fishing. So while you are posting a link that says it is currently closed, it is relative to trail repair, not fish return Or conditions. STILL stoked.
BJ
BJ
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Thanks for the kudos Matt. And this location is the absolute most beautiful fishing hike my wife and I have ever taken and we were there for several days. I would never dream of doing anything to spoil this phenomenal resource. Only hope perhaps with the change in the river biology to hook a little larger fish this trip. But I have to be honest, when we went last time after the hike we made and the skinny water we finished, a 13 inch trout seems like trophy to me
BJ
BJ
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Yep, I've been up there a few times. It's a wonderful place. I hope to go back some day. Like Ed, I wonder if the person you talked to is misinformed, and I also hope you have a great trip. I only wonder because all the planning documents I ever read said it was going to be at least 5 years after all dams were removed before fishing would re-open.
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Totally agree with both of you will do more research but he seemed adamant and informed. He did say that The rules governing the lower sections outside the park are different than those inside the park. But as I am not a park ranger nor do I play one on television, I will definitely do more research. I was just simply worried that if it ran the full five year course I wouldn't have the physicality to make the trip again so I hope he is correct.
BJ
BJ
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Ok...just had a thought... Any suggestions on who I should call to make certain he is in fact correct? Like somebody at the WDFW? That can be a difficult phone call to make. It's hard to find a number that will get you to the right human
BJ
BJ
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If the Elwha was re-opening, it would be huge news.
I have severe doubts it opens for many, many years
I have severe doubts it opens for many, many years
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This is in error. With all due respects, the Visitor Center is not the best accurate source for this kind of information. You need to talk to the fisheries office at Olympic National Park for clarification. The Elwha trail may be open or closed, depending upon river restoration related activities, road and trail conditions, etc. But the actual fishing is still closed.
Call during business hours, Monday through Friday, and ask to be connected to Dr Samuel Brenkman in the fisheries department. 360-565-3130
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