Im leaving Sunday for New Mexico and wont be back till June. When I get back Im gonna be a Fly Fishing Freak. Sure Im gonna go after some Steelies and Sea Run Cutties wich are in my area in all summer but i want more.

I whant to go after some Western Washington resident trout. Now I know these fish exist in the very upper reaches of the Peninsula Rivers but I dont know much about them. I know we have Resident Rainbows, Cutts and Dollies and even a few Brookies that migrate from some of the High Mountian lakes but that is as much as I know.

I know that going after these fish is a commitment in itself as you have do do some seriouse hikeing to get to them. Mostly more than 20 miles on foot to the headwaters of these rivers where these fish reside. Now you have to think to your self is that a commitment you whant to make not knowing what you are gonna fisd. Ive heard stories but thats it and dont know anybody personally who has realy fished any of these headwaters that is a seriouse fisherman.

Id go as far north as the Dungeness and as far south as the Queets. Does anybody have any info or any expierience on the headwaters of any of the rivers out my way? Like I said I dont know anybody that is hardcore enough that has tried any of these areas only heard stories.

have you ever treid fishing around la push on the rocky headlands. heard its pretty decent for rockfish and such. Ben

Rich -
Have only limited experience with the OP streams but I have found that most of the major Western Washington river systems have decent to excellent resident trout fishing. The headwater fisheries you referred to are the most consistent. My general plan of attack is go to my topog. maps. I look at the upper reaches of the larger tribs or headwaters of the mainstem. My best trout fishing is almost always in those streams where I can find a fairly long section of flat gradient (1 to 4%) above anadromous barriers or steep canyon sections. Most commonly I find rainbows or cutthroat. Getting even a 1/2 mile of the beaten path can lead to some very nice trout fishing (high catch rates in solitude). The fish aren't large; typical 8 to 12 inches with a 14 incher being a lunker. The nice thing is that they tend to be naive and not fussy about patterns or fancy ties - I like to use dry flies, mostly caddis, bucktail coachman and other high floaters; sizes 10 to 14s.

If you are looking for larger fish then I would concentrate on the upper portions of the larger maintstems looking for out of way canyon and bed-rock pools. Almost all of the streams have few large rainbows (14+ inches). The last hour of daylight can sometimes produce surprising dry fly fishing otherwise it is mostly nymphs except when some exceptional bugs (example stones) are hatching. Catches of a couple fish would be the norm. Streams with bait bans, restrictive regulations, etc generally tend to have older fish. Be prepared to be surprised by the odd summer steelhead or bull trout.

Finding these fishing gems is very rewarding but the best may be the search - good luck and enjoy!!

Tight lines
Smalma

Rich, Tromping around the high country with a fly rod is a blast. Its a good change of pace from steelheading all winter and summer. Dont worry about technical Orvis crap. Either skate size 10-14 misquito, caddis, humpy dry's or dredge bottom with small prince nymph bead heads, and you'll have plenty of action. like mentioned earlier, dont expect any monsters. Most resident rainbow and cutts are 6-10", so bring light gear. My biggest is a 17" rainbow, its about the equivalent of a 20+ steelie in my book. The growing season in some of the headwaters is very short, and topped with a harsh winter could mean lots of small fish next season.
Remember to pinch barbs are release em'

I like fishing the head waters of only two rivers and they are good ones. The Sauk, S/Fork Sky. I fish mostly drys and have a good time doing it. Jim S.

Rich I'm sure your familliar with 3 rivers resort. It's been a number of years since I've talked to Curt but he's fairly familliar with doing just that on the upper Bogie.

Ive talked to him before, I know he fishes the upper rivers or yousto. Never talked to him when I was interested.

Rich you should go to the upper Elwha. If you don't want to walk very far than you can catch some trout in between the dams. I've never fished above the dams, but I guess there are some big dollies. My grandpa claims he caught one that was 26", but you have to subtract at least 25% with him . Above the dams there are trails and you can camp up there. I'd like to do that this summer and just fish the whole time. If you come across any sweet trout fishing holes let me know .

~ Dr Pepper

Richie,
DON'T EVER FORGET THE DESCHUTES. REMEMBER WHEN.............YOU'LL HAVE TO COME WITH ME THIS SUMMER. WE'VE GOT SOME FRIENDS WITH 10 ACRES IN TENINO. THE UPPER STRETCHES OF THAT RIVER ARE BEAUTIFUL (NOTHING LIKE WHERE WE USED TO FISH). EVERY SUMMER WHEN I WAS HOME FROM COLLEGE I'D SPEND A WHOLE DAY EXPLORING THE UPPER REACHES OF THAT STREAM AND CONSISTENLY HOOK 20 TO 30 FISH. I WENT WITH DEFANT A COUPLE YEARS BACK AND HOOKED A 22" RESIDENT CUTTIE. I KNOW IT'S A LONG DRIVE, BUT YOU'LL BE SURE TO HAVE SOME GOOD COMPANY.
MARTIN

Hey Cutty, do you realize that you have been "Yelling" at us with your last few posts?
Turn the Caps off.
Thanks.

I will look forward to it Justin. But we have to fly fish.

Dr Pepper - I was at the upper elwha this summer. You have camping and river access about 2 miles down the main trail and off down a steep canyon trail. It gets hit pretty hard - because it is the first section you can get to, and the only section you can get to for any 1 day fishing trips.

The next river access is about 12 to 13 miles in. Fishing is OK here, but you really need to go to the 15 to 20+ mile stretch to find trout mecha. Mid week trips would be best - weekends do produce a bit of traffic up there.

To help make the trip successful, plan the trip when the river level is very low (to increase your chances of finding a crossing point, and those less pressured stretches) - wading can be tricky in this fast moving river. In some places, if you fall in, you dissapear into a dark canyon full of nasty white water. Bring light waders and wading boots (the water is COLD) and plan to fish the holes just off the beaten path.

Wear GOOD hiking boots, and expect a few blisters (bring blister protection like mole skin - duct tape works too...).

You can't target dollies/bull trout, but they are there - and hit most bait fish / crawfish / leech imitators - as will the wild rainbows. You won't see many (or any) if you just fish nymphs and Dry flies.

You must use single barbles hooks on your flies, spoons, and spinners. NO BAIT. And you can keep a couple for the frying pan - but 1 14inch fish is probably all you'll need for dinner - if you insist on eating fish... Carefully release all others.

Rich,
hope you brought your fly rod to New Mexico. If you didn't do whatever you have to do to get one, and head up to the San Juan R. Not too many places you can catch a dozen 15 to +20 inchers on a typical good day. It's not quite the solitude you get from the OP high country, but your arms do get tired