As it's about the furthest out one could go, I figure the Queets might be a good bet to find some open space. Anyone have good info on launches/takeouts, skill required to do it, run timing, or good spots to fish if I go on foot?

Youd be suprised that the Queets gets more preasure than you think. I havent drifted it but hear it's pretty easy.

The queets is no secret. Sadly, half the state shares your thoughts and has made the river just as crowded as any other river in the state.

Last winter was a joke as far as "solitude".

Open space on the Queets?
HA!
Maybe if the "fishermen" in their Lincoln Navigators would spend the day at Nordstroms with their wives we COULD get some open space. )

Yah, It's no secret.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Nice example of what happens when you choose to post all that great information and reports on the internet.

Rich,
I don't know how long you have fished the Queets, but it has been very popular long before people started posting information on the web about it.
With increased runs, more people, and a decent economy, there are more and more people on all of our rivers.

Hooknose, I grew up fishing the peninsula streams, so I have spent a few years there along with other fishers. I agree in part of what you say, however I choose to disagree, I still believe a big culprit in the recent crowding is internet boasting & info, many recent magazine articles and the increase in the # guides (many from out of area) that are working the peninsula streams introducing more fisherman to the area. I also believe that since the rest of the state's rivers are closed to the taking of wild steelhead in the Spring that more C&K fisherman are fishing the Queets as well as others.

Seabuy, here is your info on the Queets. LUCK LUCK AND MORE LUCK. In my eyes you could be a top notch fisherman and be skunked. visibility "inches", size "huge", one question I asked myself when fishing last year "WHERE COULD THEY BE"! ANYWHERE! I floated it during prime time last year and did not see but two boats on the drift we did. The only advice I can give you is keep casting maybe you'll get lucky and put something within 6inches of the fishes face so it can see it. Bank access isn't easy do some hiking but I definitly would not feel to safe carrying any fish out with me. My partner (GOGGLES), got lucky enough to land one last year and the only NATIVE he decided to punch, well to get to the point he was being STALKED on the way back to the truck by a Kitty cat, you know which kind i'm talking about. RELESEM!!!