I have lived in and around Forks, WA all my life, so I know fishing; but I am making a move to the Graham area. Are there any rivers within a reasonable distance of Graham that are comparable to the Sol Duc for Salmon and the Calawah for Steelhead?

.......NO....

I live in Port Orchard...I drive to Forks EVERY week and fish it 2 to 3 days a week. There a reason I do that many miles!!!
See ya on the road!!!

Bob D

Thanks Osprey. Looks like I'll be a tourist in my home town.

Hey RevR,
Although they don't compare to the Sol Duc or Calawah the Puyallup and Carbon rivers produce salmon and steelies. The Puyallup starts getting fish in it in August and the Carbon opens Sept.1st. The fishing can be good but the silvers tend to be on the small side. Early in the season you can also catch kings. There are some native/wild steelies that start showing aound Thanksgiving in the lower river(Puyallup) and hatchery steelies in late Dec. - Feb. in both rivers. Also the Nisqually isn't that far from Graham and gets its fair share of fish in most years. In January chum can be had in the lower Nisqually. The Wednesday Tacoma News Tribune has "Venture" page in the sports section and has fishing reports for Western Washington. Hope this helps a little when you can't make it to the coast.
Tight Lines & Smilin' Faces

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[This message has been edited by rod 'n' reel (edited 06-08-2000).]

why would you give up a wonderful fishing career to move to Graham it won't be the same ...but hey welcome to the BIG CITY...and traffic too good luck Tight Lines

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Row Quietly and fish a Cataraft }<<(('>-- --<'))>>{
Release all Wild Fish

[This message has been edited by Osprey (edited 06-08-2000).]

There is excellent fishing in the carbon and the puyallup if you know how to fish it give it a try its worth your while.nisqually gets kings in the lower end in july another good bet.

For steelhead the green would be your best chance close in. for salmon the puyallup for kings the end of july and the carbon in september kings and silvers hope you dont mind crowds.
RAMPRAT

Ramprat,
I take it you have`nt fished the Green for quite some time.*L*

Does anyone know what rivers in the area are drifter safe?

hey revr
loads of drift boats launch in the lower carbon and drift the puyallup during steelhead and late winter.
water maybe too low for kings and coho's in late july and the early part of the season.

elmtree (woody)

elmtree,
Thank you. In summer could it be floated in a pontoon boat?

Welcome to Graham, and contrary to most other posts are saying, I think that the Puyallup and Carbon which are just minutes from Graham can offer excellent fishing. I just finished my most succeful winter steelhead season in years, with 90% of my fish caught on the Carbon and Puyallup respectively. I still make the drive out to the coast as often as possible, but this year most of my fishing has been limited to half days. These rivers are not as pretty to look at as the coastal rivers, but they fish well. Look me up when you get here and I'll be more than happy to show you some access to these rivers.

There are some good fishing opportunities within an hour drive time. I agree with the others on fishing the Carbon and Puyallup for salmon/steelhead. If you want to have some fun catching crome bright kings, fish the Carbon River opener Sept.1st for "Big Kings", of course you will have to enjoy the company that salmon fishing brings out this time of the year. There is pleanty of good water on the Carbon if you are willing to explore and get away from the typical crowded areas,,,,,,,,,,,hatchery access, etc. The steelheading opportunities have really dwindled on the Green and on the Puyallup. The quality of the hatchery fish are pretty megor. However, the Green and the Puyallup do get a decent run of quality Natives. Just when the fishing gets good on both rivers, they close it to all fishing. The silvers that run in these rivers are tiny, 3-5 pounds average. Like I said though, the Kings on the Carbon average 20 pounds. My buddy took one home last year that was over 30 and was a chromer. The meat was still very red......BBQ material. Welcome to the area.

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raincity,
you have to know where and when to go Im not giving up any secrets but yes you can still catch steelhead in the green. everybody has their own favorite places to fish and the upper green HINT is still for the most part trash free and pristine.
RAMPRAT

I tend to drag my boat (sled not drift) to the cowlitz with some regularity. With the family addition of late I am no longer able to take my wife and I live in graham just off of the OK hiway. I would love to fish with someone as the solo thing gets old fast. Things will be a little hectic around here for a couple weeks but stay in touch and I will gladly supply a vessel in exchange for wisdom and tactics.