Olympic Peninsula Steelhead

As a professional fishing guide my #1 job is to care for the wild steelhead and trout we pursue. I guarantee you this is my highest consideration and I will pursue this perfection right down to the hook point.

The debate of what really constitutes fly fishing may never be resolved, some fly fishers fish only the dry; some go as far as attaching drift weights (i.e.; slinkies, pencil lead, etc.). Other anglers attach flies to a simple running line, and strip cast it – somewhat like egg fishermen did, in the late 50′s called rolling shot. I do have fond memories of following grandpa around the river when he was egg fishing dirty water, with a glass fly rod & reel loaded with mono, and a stripping basket. However, I prefer the more conventional fly fishing methods, some old and some new. As I see it, fly casting/fishing is about using the line as the weight to load the rod for casting. The weight attached – either sink tip, shooting head, split shot or weighted fly – is the means of reaching an appropriate depth, and or presentation.

If I had to fish one method for steelhead for the rest of my life, I would chose to swing a fly rod. I have caught steelhead every way possible and enjoyed every style, but for me the management of the grab from an aggressive steelhead of any size is the thing I live for. With over 30 years of fishing the fly rod for steelhead, I can honestly say “consistently catching steelhead on the swing is only possible with agreeable steelhead in the river and correct presentation for those particular fish.” 

Presentation of the swung fly is as complicated as a drag-free drift, even more so since you must also reach a level of depth, that will put the fly within the strike zone and keep it there. This matched with river and weather conditions, leaves us with a multitude of options. 

Despite my devotion to swing fishing, there are holding water spots that cannot be effectively fished on the swing. There are a lot of good lies between the easily seen swinging runs. As much as I love the swing, I cannot pass up good steelhead water. The paraphrase I like to use is “it’s like going on a cruise and closing your eyes between ports” it really does not make any sense IF you are out to actually try and catch them. This is where the float rod has its place in the quiver. As much as I wished it to be different, float fishing is the single most effective way to catch steelhead and by far the safest for the fish. The float rod has a place from the bank or boat however the regulations are written.

As a guide, my philosophy is simple; I can put you on steelhead in a multitude of ways, I can help you perfect your chosen method and be sure the steelhead is handled with the utmost care. You as a client must catch a few fish to then determine your preferred method. Once that is accomplished, I can then guide you specifically the way as you wish to angle. I would never insist on one method over another since it should be based upon your personal preference.

If you are interested in setting up an Olympic Peninsula Steelhead adventure, call us at 253-307-3210 or email us here or by using the contact form on this page. We also offer great trips to other areas of Washington including: Methow River Steelhead, Methow River Trout, Klickitat River Steelhead, Yakima River Fly Fishing, and the Naches River Fly Fishing Trout trip. We look forward to hearing from you and fish always!