I got to spent a rare two weekdays fishing with rseas and Scott Crawford of Chrome Inc Guide Service to film a future episode for the TV show. To say I was looking forward to it is an under-statement! I love fishing the Olympic Pennisula, especially this time of year when the rivers are choked with salmon. Although our main target was coho, we had lot's of chum to play with and I'm not complaining...

I arrived Tuesday evening. Randy and I stayed in the Chrome Inc RV which could not be more convenient for Scott's customers. Located on his property, it was a simple matter of getting up in the morning and heading right out with the guide to get to our fishing waters. As a bonus, Scott's clients are treated to prepared lunches by his wife, Karen. Homemade apple turnovers made fresh from their apple tree, yum!

We fished both days from crack of dawn into the late afternoon. The OP rivers had gotten a lot of rain but they were dropping into prime shape for this trip. We got on the water with a plan to use plugs and at the first hole we anchored up on as I finished letting my line out the rod doubled over - I didn't even have time to get it in the rod holder! Nice start to the trip... The fish turned out to be a shiny chum with sea lice. We decided to let her go in search of some hatchery coho. Working our way down the river it was pretty much fish in every hole we stopped at. I think we only had one hole that didn't produce a fish. Mostly we were catching big, powerful chum, but we also hooked and landed four chrome bright coho, which all went back as they were natives. Day one was pretty awesome. We returned to a nice meal prepared by Karen and turned in early in anticipation of another day of hot fishing.

Scott decided to fish a different part of the river in hopes of getting us into some keeper coho, knowing that doing so would likely mean less chum. Randy and I were totally OK with this plan. Chrome coho are always a blast on rivers.

The action started slower and the fish were definitely not as aggressive on Day 2. We caught fish which on any other day would have been a good day of fishing, but compared to day 1 was kinda slow. That was OK as it was a beautiful day on the water and the weather was 5 stars. We caught more chum and another 3-4 native coho that went back. Later on Scott got word that the river down stream had been netted which for sure put the brakes into fresh hatchery fish coming our way.

Even with a slower day 2 Randy and I agreed it was a pretty epic fishing trip. Scott and Karen are wonderful hosts and we enjoyed the fishing and hospitality. If you have a chance to do some winter Olympic Peninsula fishing this year give Scott a call at Chrome Inc Guide Service. He will work hard to get you on fish. Scott also offers scenic float trips and drift boat instruction trips for those new to owning a drift boat. It's a great way to learn how to row your new drift boat and be safe on the water.

Chrome Inc Guide Service 425-591-5108

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