Washington/Oregon Fishing help

[woodruffhunter]

Well I know this is mainly a "Hunting Forum" but I thought would
ask for some help anyway. I will be traveling (driving) from
Utah to Seattle around the the 17th of Feb.

I will be in a training class for a few days but wanted to spend one day fishing. I would like to hire a guide (for me and a friend) for a 1 day or 1/2 fishing trip; preferable salt water fishing.

I am open to Oregon or Washington (since I will be driving). Any suggestions on guides, best types of fishing, prices...
would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

 

[JACKELOPE]

speaking about washington, not too sure re: fishing in the salt, but polar bear or dman might be able to help you more there...maybe winter blackmouth?? right now we are flyfishing the beaches for resident coho and they are biting good. i think the options are kind of limited that time of year....but if you are flexible in what you want to fish for, you might look into a guide for a day on the river for winter run steelhead somewhere. it will be a great time of year for our big brute steelhead in washington. i know nothing about oregon.

 

[Dmanmastertracker]

You won't find a whole lot going on in the salt at that time, you might try All Star charters out of Seattle for some blackmouth fishing which can be good then in the north sound (Everett area). I'd suggest maybe trying Hot Shot guide service for some good river fishing though, for steelies.

 

[JACKELOPE]

BTW...one more thing if you do decide you are into fishing for steelhead...please make the rain stop. the rivers have been puking mud for too long. seriously...that would be one thing that will hamper any winter steelhead fishing. we are having a crazy winter this year.

 

[woodruffhunter]

I figured my fishing opportunities would be somewhat limited. I
was considering a river trip and maybe that would be the best way to go. I thought salmon fishing may be an option but then
again what do I know (remember where I am from).

Thanks again for the help and replies.

 

[Dmanmastertracker]

Whichever way you go be prepared to freeze your butt off. Blackmouth fishing can be OK, but you'll be looking at small fish around 5-8 pounds on average and generally a 1 fish limit. If you want a shot at a larger fish, I'd try the rivers. the Snohomish river system is closest to Seattle as far as a good river bet. If your willing to drive an hour or two, other good river bets are; Cowlitz, Skagit and the Stilliguamish. I'd actually consider too fishing a lake, some of the best fishing in February is in our large reservoirs. Just rent a small boat with an electric motor for a day. My favorite lake spot kicks out trout averaging 17-18" and larger.

 

[polarbear]

I'll second the river idea! February is a great time to fish winter steelies. I'll be hitting it hard (as long as the rivers arent blown out) on the Chehalis system. We usually get several in the upper teens to low 20s each winter.
Eric

 

[Muleyslyr]

I'll third the river idea!

 

[woodruffhunter]

OK, I have done a lot of river fishing but NEVER for steelhead. Do you usually float the river with a guide, do they do 1/2 day float trips?

Any guide recommendations? I think I will go this route. thanks

 

[JACKELOPE]

Gear or flyfishing??
hot shot like dman said has a good rep. they're gear fisherman. if you're interested in flyfishing i could probably give you a couple.
where will you be staying??? seattle in-city?
i sent you a pm.

 

[CAelknuts]

Catch one big winter steelhead and you'll forget about wanting to fish salt water in the winter. I don't know if you'll be coming back down I-5 before heading east, but the Umpqua River, which runs through Roseburg, Oregon; might be about as good as steelhead fishing gets. I don't know anything about the Washington rivers, but the Umpqua in incredible.

We're heading up there the 3rd week of March.

 

[polarbear]

I did some asking around today for ya and recomended to Elite Guide Service. They specialise in salmon, steelhead and trout. PM me if you want some contact info. I have never used a guide service, but I might try these guys myself.
Eric