08-24 REELLIFE print digital - Flipbook - Page 16
Federal Government, and
the Tribes, depending on
where you are, so pay close
attention to the rules.
The Quinault and Queets
Nations have built some
very robust hatchery
programs, and they control
the lower stretches of the
rivers. Anglers can fish for
all five species of Salmon
as well as Steelhead and
Trout. Fall Coho on the
lower Quinault is a very
fun fishery and can result
in a freezer full of fish to
last the winter. Note that
you must book a trip with
a tribal guide to fish the
waters that lay within the
reservations.
renowned for its runs of
Chinook, Coho, Chum,
and Steelhead. As with
other coastal rivers and
due to low returns of wild
Chinook, opportunities
are limited. According to
the current regulations,
parts of the river should
open in early September
for hatchery Chinook and
Coho. As this river can get
very congested, it is best to
know what you are doing
and even better, book a trip
with a guide.
HUMPTULIPS RIVER
The Humptulips River is
located in Grays Harbor
County, just North of
Aberdeen and Hoquiam.
Its main tributaries are
the East Fork Humptulips
River, about 20 miles long,
and West Fork Humptulips
River, about 30 miles long.
After the forks join, the
main river is approximately
20 miles long and provides
some of the best salmon
habitat in Washington. This
river is not a secret and
is often very congested,
when open. I will say that
the “Hump” as it is called
is one of my favorite rivers
for fall Salmon fishing. It is
The Chehalis River
originates in several forks in
southwestern Washington,
flows east, then north,
then west, in a large curve,
before emptying into Grays
Harbor, an estuary of the
Pacific Ocean. The river is
the largest solely contained
drainage basin in the state.
Both the Wynoochee and
Satsop Rivers flow into
the Chehalis between
the towns of Elma and
Montesano. While the
Chehalis has many other
tributaries, the Satsop and
Wynoochee are likely the
most popular and offer
fantastic fall Coho fisheries.
The mainstem Chehalis,
near the mouth of these
CHEHALIS RIVER SYSTEM
rivers, can be epic when
conditions are favorable
and some of the largest
Coho in the state can be
caught here. This system
is also known for large
limits of Coho allowed but
check the most up-to-date
regulations for specific
details and don’t forget
to look for emergency
closures.
With all these rivers,
please remember to
check the regulations
before you make plans or
head out to fish. Things
change often and it is very
important to make sure
that a river is open to avoid
disappointment. Also, do
yourself a favor and book
a trip with a guide. I just
cannot emphasize this
enough. Your opportunities
for success will greatly
improve if you learn from
a local guide and you are
more likely to take fish
home to eat later.
In closing, you are welcome
to message me if you
need to be connected to
a guide. I am easy to find
on Facebook (facebook.
com/brent.knight.148) and
am happy to help. Good
fishing!!!
