Hi All,

I've never floated the Hoh river, but plan to maiden voyage the Hoh in October in my Lavro.
I would like to know what are safe zones in terms of CFS and Gage height for planning safe float trips on the Hoh.
Can you folks share your expertise on this?

Right now, the Hoh flow CFS @ 1,660 and Gage height @ 2.55 feet.

Appreciate your info on this!

Summer-Run

SR: I've only fished the Hoh once, and that was with a guide. We had about 1550 cfs. the day we fished, and aside from dodging the boulders (that we would have had to dodge at most any flow) it was a nice run.

There were some areas that would require the rower to know what they were doing, and I would suggest following another boat down the first time you cover it.

There ARE some nice fish to be had there..here's a pic of my little Springer from the Hoh that decided to pound the wrong Kwikfish one afternoon:



I think Darren (Griz) heads over there quite often...and probably knows that water by now. Might be fun if you did a multi-boat trip.

Mike

Hi Mike!
I remember photo, nice fish!
I wouldn't call that a little springer.
Did you fish the upper drift thru the canyon?
Or did you float from Oxbow and down?
Yeah, I think Griz knows the Hoh real good.
I'll have to contact him to get ready, October is just around the corner already.
Would love to do a multi boat trip on the Hoh!

Hope your DB project is coming along for our Skagit wall of death float!
Thanks, Mike.

Summer-Run

first of all, I've been in your shoes.

if your trip is planned for a set date in late october....bring a rain coat and hope for the best. if the river looks fishable that time of year its generally safe to float, especially if you stick to the lower end.

another good clue is whether or not you are the only guy at the put in. I've been that guy, wondering why my float was so short, then getting home to see that the river had risen 4000 cfs in two hours on me.

best thing to do is bring the whole kit and caboodle. be prepared to fish everything else, including smaller lesser known tribs from the bank if conditions keep you off the hoh, which to be frank is as likely as anything else to be the case.

your just as likely to have as much if not more success on some of the rivers around anyway.

the hoh is class 1 water all the way so you shouldn't be able to get in too much trouble if you have some experience on the oars.

avoid the known trouble spots (oxbow, the park float) until you've either watched, ridden with or followed someone who knows the trick.

other than that, if it looks good, go for it.

Don't take this as gospel, but I remember reading somewhere that 3000cfm was optimal for fishing. I've fished it from about 4000cfm and under. If you fish the lower end be aware that it braids and changes constantly. Pick the braid with the most flow, and watch ahead for sweepers. If in doubt, get out and walk down for a look. As the last person said, be prepared to fish other avenues. Last year we had seven inches of rain the first night we set up camp!

Anyone floated this since the diversion barrier was put in next to 101? How does it affect the drift?

We started at the upper run, and in fact I caught that Springer just above the Oxbow. Scott was having to hold the boat (above the Ozbow run) whilst the fishy and I battled..:-)


I know Griz has fished it a number of times, and h2O, being in "Fishtropolis" has probably got his name on a few of the rocks..:-)

The boat is coming along well..but too slow. I've got all the old nasty paint off (inside and out), the new transom is fabricated and installed (that was a job and 1/2). There is another 1/4" of ply to go on the bottom, finish painting, build new seat mounts, etc. I was able to pick up a new Fish-On seat for the front, and one of the ClackaCraft "tractor seat" style rowing seats. (It has a padded seat and short back.)

Sometime this month I need to fit in a weekend of deer hunting (but before the 16th when the Skagit opens..).

Looking forward to a couple of those multi-boat runs this year!

Mike

Excellent advise!!
You guys are awesome!
I'll try to hook up with another boat who knows the lower drift, so I can follow and learn to avoid the known trouble spots (oxbow, the park float).
Maybe, I'll see you guys on the Hoh in October!

if yer hitting rocks on the hoh, you're doing it wrong.

h2o, You're absolutely correct!
I'll make sure to stay clear of all rocks.
Don't need no cracks to develop in my fiberglass Lavro.

1800cfm and below. just after it drops back into shape

Thanks! Griz.
Griz, Are you going to float the lower Hoh sometime soon?
If so, Can I follow you down in my boat?

Every year the hoh changes so watch out From cottonwoods to barlows is pretty easy. It blows real bad in fall watch your flow gauge..

Thanks for your advise, BAITCASTER.
I'm going to follow another boat first time out to learn safe navigation route.