John's flyfishing weblog
The Peninsula's West-side
05 March 2010 - 13:36 Steelhead Fly Fisher,I’m ensconced here on the west-side of the Olympic Peninsula. In the past two weeks, l have fished a lot of water: the Sol Duc, the Bogachiel, the Queets and the Hoh. Everyone has their favorite; the Hoh remains mine. It rains now and the river rises, allowing me a respite from pulling oars. Time to catch up, tie flies and write you.
Though the calendar calls it late February; the flora says late March. Skunk Cabbage, Indian Plum, Salmon Berry—all are in flower weeks ahead of time. The sun, the clock wild steelhead reckon by, bids that the spawning migration commence. Underway, the run shows fish in promising number.
It’s time to book a day of guided steelhead fly fishing for wild steelhead here on the Olympic Peninsula’s west-side. Why?
Low population density and wild steelhead abundance are synonymous. Few people means less pollution. No dams. Rivers are open for fish to come and go. In 2011, even the north end’s Elwha River dams will fall. The Olympic National Park provides unadulterated habitat. Non-profits such as the Hoh River Trust advance the same cause.
It’s enough to say the setting is beautiful, the environs wild, and that the free-flowing rivers harbor steelhead. Besides, with Puget Sound rivers closed, where else would you go? It is the season to join me fly fishing the Peninsula.
Except for a chapter titled, “The Swing Gets the Take,” the magnum opus, Reading Water, is nearly complete. To finish it, I need your assistance and support. Whether double-handed or single-handed rod, floating line or sinking, overhead cast or roll, bare hook or dressed. Together we’ll fish for science; not for fame, nor for fortune, but for discovery and enlightenment.
So let’s go fishing. Check my web site calendar and tell me when you’re coming.