Saturday, March 2, 2013

Can you spell rain?

 

The Queets River is an absolute jewel to flyfish. This gentle stream flows through the lower section of Washington's Olympic National Park. Towering Sitka Spruce have lived here for generations as has herds of Roosevelt elk. For all it's splendors though, all this simply becomes the back drop for the late winter native steelhead that calls the Queets river, home. Big, brawly steelhead, hours away from tidewater.
 Yup, if you were looking for that steelhead that can stop your heart while it stops your fly, Queets river steelhead are built for that.

The good news is: the Queets is off to a grand start this year with already fine numbers of returning steelhead headed for home. The fish run doesn't even peak until the end of this month, and some the best fishing continues until the river closure April 15.

The bad news is: The poopy weather lately hasn't allowed for much fishing the last few days. Bummer but when you fish out on the coast, you get to expect it. it's just the way it is.

Flows:
The Queets fishes best from 2,500 - 8,000 cfs. Right now, it's at 15,600 cfs.

Fortunately, the soils out here are "excessively drained", which it a fancy way of saying, the river can come up in a hurry, but also drops just as fast. Welcome to free-stone streams, it's what they do. Mike will be keeping his eyes peeled, because when the Queets drops, it always full of fish.

Last week I mentioned a few of my favorite flies for fishing these waters. That part isn't going to change much.

Here is an piece I wrote discussing the sink-tip leaders I use for chasing cold water steelhead. It's called, Leaders-the steelhead connection. I hope you enjoy it.

On the home front: casting classes will commence as well as our Lakes classes. Mark March 9 in your calendar as I will lead our next lakes class to one my favorite local haunts. You can call me directly for details. Cost is $59./angler, and I will arrange for all your needs in this 4 hour crash course. Sorry, I will only take the first six anglers.

 

Best of fishing,

Dennis Dickson   Fisheries Biologist/Flyfishing Guide
www.flyfishsteelhead.com
425 238 3537

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