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I got to fish on Sunday with Nate on the Olympic Pennisula, last trip (I think) for steelhead this year. I was very excited to see a new river, especially to fish for the famed natives of the Olympic Pennisula.

I arrived Saturday evening after work. Finding the Queets Campground wasn't too hard. There is a National Parks map of the area you can print out: http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=205484

The main road in is washed out so you have to take an alternate, Rd 21. Driving in the dark wasn't the most fun but I made it and found Nate settled in. We sat and had a beer and planned the next day's attack. The next morning, As luck would have it, our plan was dashed. We had thought to cross the river and then hike upstream to fish areas that no one was fishing, however, the only place we could have gotten us over would have put us into a bush-wacking mode, something neither of us wanted to do. So Plan B, we floated from the Campground down to Streator Crossing, which was around six miles. It turned out to be an "adventure", LOL.

Right off the bat, there is a set of rapids with many boulders to negotiate. Nate’s new Pavati (which BTW is an amazing drift boat!) handled like a Cadillac and Nate had no troubles working through to the first holes.
We fished a variety of techniques today, from side drifting pink worms or corkies, to getting out and drift fishing, to casting spinners and spoons. We also pulled plugs. The river is no bait or scent allowed, and single barbless hooks.
So much beautiful water and it was in prime condition! Sad to say, the fishing was not good for us this day. We had one dolly come up and swipe Nate’s spoon, but that was it. Talked to around ten guys and heard of two fish being caught.

It was a wonderful day on the water and I want to thank Nate for showing me the river. His Pavati is amazing, just like he says. Lots of room to stand and stretch, rock solid and stable as all heck. Just a joy to fish out of. He even let me row for some stretches, which was way cool. The boat handles well, although I struggled with the longer oars. I’m just used to my pontoon.

BOATER ALERT: about half way through the drift there is a downed tree that goes all the way across the river. We had to take the boat up and over the tree, a real pain. Hopefully someone will cut a hole through, or it will wash out. But just be aware it’s there and that you may have to struggle your drift boat over or around. Also, although the drift is only around 5-6 miles, it took us all day. I would not recommend going all the way down to Hartzell Creek, it would be a long day.

Anonymous

3/11/2013 1:00:00 PM

Good to get your Boat broken in. As far as the Queets goes if you havn't floated it in a while or it has recently had a storm bring a chain saw in your Boat. I have encountered trees across the river before as i have on the lower Hoh. I first fished the Queets with a quide and he had a chainsaw with him. I'm suprised the fishing wasn't better, primo looking water. Suprisingly i have done best on the Queets when the water is on the edge. More silty grey than green. All in all kind of tough year on the Coast so far.

natetreat

3/11/2013 2:11:00 PM

Yup, first thing this morning I went out and picked up a chainsaw for the boat. Pushing over or around dead trees is not for me! It was a great day for a drift! Thanks for tagging along Mike! Always fun fish with you.

Anonymous

3/11/2013 3:22:00 PM

Learn the Sol Duc. Lots of Boulders, but not much in the way of big jams and trees.

Mike Carey

3/11/2013 3:23:00 PM

I totally am down for the Sreator to Hartzler drift section.

mickeybland

3/11/2013 4:16:00 PM

awsome boat mike. wish the steelie action was turned on for you.best of luck next time.

arniejl

3/11/2013 5:19:00 PM

Good report. I love the Queets, has always been my favorite river. Have not fished it since 1991 when I, basically, gave up on fighting all the people and quit fishing for steelhead, period. My last trip in the Queets gave me a 21 pound female and a 17 pound female in back to back casts.
It can be a tough river. One day awesome the next two terrible.

natetreat

3/11/2013 7:29:00 PM

They're netting it hard. It's amazing that any fish make it up the river, with nets across it 6 days a week.

solducsteve

3/12/2013 4:16:00 PM

Excellent looking water and boat :) . I have found that a little shorter oars work better on the smaller river's such as the solduc and callawah or you can just choke up on the ones you got to get through tight shoots and around sweepers and boulders , glad to see you enjoying your boat and exploring , good luck in the future

Kokaholic

3/13/2013 2:24:00 AM

Too bad on fishing but WOW what a adventure you guy's had. This will be a camp fire story,,,,,,Tight Lines good luck next time

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