Wynoochee River Winter Steelhead

Why is the 2017/2018 Season going to be so amazing?

The 2016/17 Wynoochee River Smolt Counts were down. WAY down compared to the following year's smolt plants.

For the 2017/2018 Wynoochee River Steelhead Season there will be a return based off of 169,150 planted hatchery steelhead smolts compared to only 88,740 from the previous year.

If you have been waiting for a good year to fish the Wynoochee River then this is it!

Fish with a Wynoochee River Fishing Guide in a small sled or drift boat.  Our Wynoochee River Fishing Guides have private river access, the best boats on the water and local knowledge that only comes after years of fishing the Wynoochee River daily in season.

We are the only guide service located directly on 
the Wynoochee River.  We fish the Wynoochee 
River for both Summer and Winter-RunRiver for both Summer and Winter-Run Steelhead.  
The best time to fish the Wynoochee River is from 
June through March, with the best chance at 
trophy Wynoochee River The best time to fish the Wynoochee River is from June through March, with the best chance at trophy Wynoochee River Steelhead during January 
through March.

We welcome you to experience the beauty of the 
Wynoochee River and the ultimate through March.
We welcome you to experience the beauty of the Wynoochee River and the ultimate Wynoochee River Fishing Experience!


The Wynoochee River is also close to the Ocean 
Beaches and the best fishing for Wynoochee River 
Steelhead falls during normal clam-digging season!

Wynoochee River Fishing Guide

The Wynoochee River is located near the small town of Montesano in Grays Harbor County Washington.  Our Wynoochee River Fishing Guides will help you catch winter steelhead like the ones pictured above fishing for Wynoochee River Winter Steelhead.  

Wynoochee River fishing guides use small drift boat and sleds to guide you to fish.  

The Wynoochee River is best fished for summer steelhead, winter steelhead and fall salmon.  It closes in the spring to allow native steelhead to return and spawn in the headwaters of the Wynoochee River.  

Wynoochee River Fishing Guides use several different fishing techniques to catch Wynoochee River Steelhead.  Wynoochee River fishing guides use bait such as sand shrimp and salmon roe.  Wynoochee River fishing guides use light tackle terminal gear and some use light weight fly gear.  Wynoochee River Steelhead are susceptible to side drifting and free drifting making sled fishing during the high water winter months extremely productive.

Fish the Wynoochee River with our Wynoochee River Fishing Guides and you won't be disappointed. 

Measuring Weight for Released Wild Steelhead

With the Wynoochee River dropping to a fishable level we've been able to get out and finally catch some nice fish.  This time of year we aim for our 2 hatchery fish limit, and in the process catch many wild steelhead.  We carefully make sure that the adipose fin is clipped prior to removing a fish in the net from the water.   

When there is a fin - we carefully get out of the boat and into the water for a quick picture and safe release.  

When catching a trophy native steelhead, such as this one, you want to know how big it is.  This particular fish measured 21.5 inches in girth.

So the question is, how do you calculate the weight of a fish by taking a measurement in inches?  We have 2 different methods to present here.  The easy one is the "length minus 20 rule."  This works best for steelhead between 25 and 35 inches in length.  You simply subtract 20 from the length to get the weight.  For example is your steelhead is 30 inches long, (30inches-20)=10lbs, by this method your fish would be 10lbs.

However, if your fish is over 25 inches or appears extra heavy in the middle, you should use the chart below.  Fortunately for us - we get to use this chart alot!!

*Also note that for large steelhead the girth is usually close to 1/2 the length.

Using this chart, the above pictured fish is approximately 26lbs.  (21.5inch girth*2)=43inch length

(credit flyanglersonline.com)

Hope this helps measure some big steelhead for you in the near future!

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