Hoh river

They swim directly from salt to fresh, from the Pacific to the Hoh. They hold, a mercury shimmer in the long run above tide, then streak on. Steelhead!

Upstream an ocean salt tang seasons the air. Spruce, fir and cedar lie strewn on the river bank. Ten feet of annual rainfall swells this river, floods this sharp-shinned valley and threatens Highway. 101. We fish hard by the Pacific searching for sport with the fly, searching for steelhead—the best of stream and sea at the uttermost edge of Washington State.

By dory or raft, by oar I ferry fly fishers to the river’s distant reach—our classroom. We wade nimble and cast far, searching the drifts with the wet fly swung deep, swung slow.

We fish the holding water, not the hatch. Always keen to discern where fish hold, we study the water. We imagine the river a railroad and the holding water as a railroad station where fish hold to rest before migrating on.

We anglers strives to cover the holding water methodically with precise, successive swings. If the fly fishes at the right speed and attitude to the current and fish, it proves irresistible. We tickle the fish’s curiosity and trigger its predatory grab. A river never sleeps. The current runs in endless change. Charmed and good, we wizards in waders ply the fly, unlock the river’s mystery, and find fish.

Streamside as your guide, I share lore, watercraft, and technique. I aim to get you there, hone your skills, bolster your confidence, see you enjoy yourself, and assure your return. If brought to hand, the ultimate juror, steelhead, renders a favorable verdict, rewarding your mastery and enhancing my reputation. If the fish prove fickle, I’m there to hold your luckless hand. Together we brave the challenge and enjoy the adventure.

I provide lunch, bring an appetite.

Tackle and Gear: Warm clothing, insulated waders, waterproof gear, and proper tackle insure you are ready, comfortable, and able to fish. Be prepared!

Rods: Choose a rod capable of casting large flies and mending far off. Limited to a single-handed rod, mine would be a strong but supple ten foot, eight weight. Any rod casting a seven to nine line and nine feet long or longer will do. Double-handed Spey rods fit this fishery. These lengthy sticks, twelve to sixteen feet long, and rated for seven to ten weight lines, stretch the possibilities and handle our large, weighted flies.

Reels: Holding the line and a minimum of 100 yards backing, a sturdy winch should have sufficient drag to prevent overrunning during a large fish’s dash.

Lines: The fishery demands that the fly swims low and slow, swinging at the right speed and depth under ever varying flow conditions. The right line hooks fish; one line alone doesn’t cut it. Steelheaders are inveterate line tinkers, always trying to match the line to the flow. Recognizing our need to be versatile, line manufactures now offer lines that feature interchangeable, loop-to-loop-connected sinking tips with varying sink rates. These are easy to change and eliminate the need to carry extra spools. Too, you can create and add tungsten-weighted or lead core tips to your arsenal. Rio Verstips (for single-handed rods) or Rio Skagit (for double-handers) get the job done.

Leaders: Carry Ultra-green Maxima spools in sizes: 06X-20#, 04X-15#, 02X-12#, and 1X-10#. We tie our three to six foot leaders streamside, using a Nail Knot to attach butt to line, Water Knots to join taper segments, and the Double Turle to fix tippet to fly. Know your knots!

Flies: Bring several dozen flies, size 2 to 2/0, barbless. Vary color and size, having both bright and dark patterns which feature red, orange, white, purple, black, and chartreuse. Steelhead devour flies that swim, pulsate, have silhouette, and dance deep on sharp, tempered iron. Weighted, articulated patterns that feature various colors of marabou, ostrich herl and rabbit strips give a big silhouette but feature a small, effective stinger hook.

Checklist:

  • Valid license and steelhead punch card
  • Waders: chest-high neoprene or Breathable, stocking or felt-soled boot foot
  • Wading staff
  • Wading belt
  • Wader patch kit (Aquaseal, Cotel speed cure, duct tape)
  • Wading brogues, gravel guards, stream cleats (optional)
  • Fishing vest, rainjacket/windbreaker (critical! make it short)
  • Hat, cap, fingerless gloves, scarf, kerchief (dress warm)
  • Forceps, hook hone, nippers, Tie-Fast knot tier, pliers, knife
  • Field guides, fishing diary, poetry
  • Polarized sunglasses with neck keeper
  • First Aid kit, medicine, kleenex, sunscreen, lip balm, contacts
  • Camera, film, batteries, flashlight
  • Leader wallet/tippet dispenser, tippet spools
  • Line cleaner/dressing
  • Stream thermometer
  • Flask, thermos, water bottle, candy, gum, cigars, pipe
  • Waterproof duffel, tackle bag, fly boxes with flies
  • Rods, reels, lines

Provisions: I endorse purveyors who know steelhead, the Pacific Northwest, and me. Patrick's Fly Shop, the oldest fly shop on the West Coast, can outfit you with the right tackle and flies. Call for mail orders or visit the tackle counter. Patrick's Fly Shop, 2237 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle WA 98102. Phone 206.325.8988 or 800.398.7693. Tell them John sent you.