I have been to the Hoh a few times in the last year but have never seen the hatchery. I alway here about it and how there is so many hatchery steelies been caught, but never went out of my way when fishing to find it. Can anyone help with this? Is there such a thing as a hatchery chinook in this river! According to the regs. there is, what's the real deal? Any info would be appreciated. Thank you, tight lines!!!

Brian, there is no hatchery on the Hoh that I know of. I think steelhead are trucked in from another hatchery on the Queets or Quinalt ar some close river.

There's no hatchery on the Hoh. I believe the local tribes plant the hatchery winter run with Quinault stocks and the state plants some chambers creek stock from the Bogachiel hatchery. The summer population is comprised of hatchery "dip ins" from other rivers and a very small population of wild. Chinook on the Hoh are wild.

Please release these steelhead. This wild population is getting stronger each season. One of the worst things to do to these fish is net them. Take the time to get out and land them on the bank. Try to ascertain whether or not it has an adipose the first couple of times it nears the boat. Most of the Hoh's hatchery strays have a stretched look to them. From my experience the wild Hoh summer-runs have a deeper body, typical of a winter-run fish. These are great leapers too.

Peace Out...

[This message has been edited by Hohwaiian (edited 08-23-2000).]

Thanks a bunch guys! Hohwaiian, how far do these dip-ins travel upstream and do they branch off at the south fork also?

OK Hohwaiian I’ll release these fish so the Indians can net them. Sad but true

Hairball, That's certainly a redneck attitude. Two wrongs don't make a right, just worry about doing your part. The Hoh Tribe will usually only net the lower part of the river. If you fish above where they typically net those fish are free and clear to complete
their mission. That statemnt you made doesn't hold water.

Hey Rich, I don't know if you realize this or not but if the nets are in the river at the mouth then how the hell is there going to be fish upriver! I went to the Hoh about 2 months ago not realizing that the net were in and took a guide out in prime river conditions and didn't see a fish roll or hit our lures. And yes the nets were not suppose to be in the water, imagine that out of the Hoh tribe! Nuff said.

Brian I realize what your saying and I know I've fished there for years. The point is I can't control when the tribes net, but I can control the situation by not killing a wild fish that makes it pass the nets or gets through on the days the tribe isn't netting. What I can't condone is the BS justification (I'm talking wild fish here) "If I don't kill this fish the tribe will" when in fact that fish made it to upper river and has very little chance at being netted.

Some interesting information was posted in the last sts about fish that have been released in their study. These fish will go back down stream as far as 10 miles, start sulking for several days before moving back up stream. This time frame is more than enough time for the hoh tribe to net the fish that are being released. Ten miles is a long ways up the river from oxbow. This emphasises the importance for a quick landing of the fish.
Tight Lines

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Marty
Steelheader.net marty@steelheader.net

remember, you don't have a choice on this one, all wild fish must be released in the summertime!!! Also, being that I haven't fished it in a number of years, it may have changed, but there were WAY too many clipped fish for simple dip-ins ... some are planted.

U.S.Fish & Wildlife service plants cook creek stock in Chaalet Creek.

Ok call me stupid. I am looking at my Gazetteer and can't see Chaalet Creek. Is it off the South Fork?

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Marty
Steelheader.net marty@steelheader.net

There are no Chambers Cr. fish released in the Hoh. Chaalat Cr is on the Reservation, and the Quinault folks release some fish upstream at Allens Bar.

Sorry Marty, I spelled it wrong. It's Chalaat creek. Here's a site you can check out releases from all agencies http://www.rmis.org/cwt/qbe/queryfrmar.html
Click on All releases on left column. Select release site. Make selections then run the report.


[This message has been edited by potter (edited 08-28-2000).]