USA - Olympic Peninsula

Fly-fishing for steelhead on Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Steelhead caught with flies is for a lot of people the ultimate challenge. If you want to wrestle the north-west American steelhead, the rivers on Olympic Peninsula west of Seattle are the best grounds to try your luck. The original stock of steelhead ascends the rivers from the beginning of February, but March is absolute high season. The fish are large in general, around four to five kilos, and eight to twelve kilo fish are landed every day.

The nature and the fishery remind of what you find in British Columbia and Vancouver Island right north of here.

We fish the rivers in and around Olympic National Park, where the nature offers glaciers on mount Olympic, the moss covered Hoh Rainforest, and the rocky coast of the Pacific Ocean. This is amazing nature that ought to be experienced.

There are abundances of delicious fly-fishing waters in the area. We include a fishing license for all the rivers in the price, so you just have to pick the river with the right colour and the right level of water.

Fishing for steelhead with flies is not easy, but patience is rewarded. Do not expect to land fish every day! In fact it is first when the fish is hooked you are in trouble. Controlling a blank fish on just three kilos in strong current will make your adrenaline pump.

The trip includes one day of fishing from drift boat with a local American fly-fishing guide. You can also buy more days if you should desire to do so. The guides are pros to the bone and know every rock of the river. You really get value for the money.

The primary areas are:
Hoh River
Sol Duc River
Bogachiel River
Queets River

Even though it is March, the climate is relatively mild. We have around eight to ten degrees, but temperatures up to fifteen degrees in the day are not unusual. It does, however, rain a lot. Breathable waders and a wade jacket is the best clothing.

Tackle and technique

Steelhead is either caught on a classic wet fly swing or with a nymph and indicator. The indicator fishing yields the best results, but the pools have a saying in the choice of methods. Traditionally we use one-hand poles of class seven to nine. A two-hand pole seems unnecessary, but can come in handy when you want to cover a lot of water. The fish are found low and it is important that the fly reaches the fish. To fish effectively on the different grounds, we recommend that you bring a float line, some quick sinking tips, and a whole sinking line as well.

We arrange for individual stays as well as group trips in 2008

Pris.   euro 1.190

The trip includes:

• Rented car (transport from Seattle airport) 
• Seven bednights at comfortable cabins
• One day of fishing from drift boat with local fly-fishing guide
• Seven days fishing license for all the rivers
• Danish/english courier/fishing guide through the entire trip

Not included

• Airfare 
• Meals: the cabins have small kitchens and there are a lot of cheap restaurants around.
• Gas: cheap in the USA (euro 40-66 per person)
• Insurance
• Tips

Individual trips

Price when 4 persons   euro 1.100  per person 

The price includes:

• Rented car (transport from Seattle airport)
• Seven bednights at comfortable cabins
• One day of fishing from drift boat with local fly-fishing guide
• Seven days fishing license for all the rivers

Atlantik Travel will be happy to assist you with airfare/transport from your domicile to the destination, please feel free to contact us by emaile atlantik@atlantik.dk

Salmon fishing fall season 2007 on Olympic Peninsula click here