03-24 REELLIFE DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 23
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If ever there was a river
world renowned for
its beauty, versatility,
and Gollum-like trophy
steelhead, this is it.
The Hoh River, from deep
within the Olympic National
Park, sourced from Mt.
Olympus himself.
Floating north and west
with a full mountain
embrace, collecting
headwater tributaries
like badges of honor. A
collection of blue and white
glacial waters swirling
under a canopy of fierce
and protected old growth,
this braided channel river
looks to be strategically
created. An art unto itself.
Its milky slate blue waters,
glisten like the eyes of a
newborn.
The Hoh River flows 56
miles from its headwaters
to the Pacific Ocean. The
South Fork Hoh River is 17
river miles in length and
enters the main stem at
the Olympic National Park
boundary at RM 30. The
upper section of the Hoh
watershed lies entirely
within the Olympic National
Park. The middle section
of the river flows through
state and industrial forest
and valley homesteads.
The Lower Hoh River
encompasses the lower
third of the watershed, 16
river miles from Highway
101 to the Pacific Ocean.
750 miles of tributaries flow
into the river below ONP.
Of these, 250 miles provide
fish habitat. Numerous
spring-fed terrace
tributaries feed the Hoh
River.
The Hoh River watershed
is home to four species of
wild salmon, steelhead, and
many other fish and wildlife
species.
Located at the mouth
of the Hoh River, the
tiny Hoh Indian Tribe or
“Chalá·at” ("Those-WhoLive-on-the-Hoh River")
are dependent on the fish
and wildlife of the Hoh
River for their subsistence
and commercial
economy. Protecting the
watershed’s function is
key to preserving these
important resources, not
only for the tribe, but also
for fishing and recreational
communities in nearby
cities and towns, and up
and down the coast.
Despite this river's status as
one of the healthiest in the
country, the Department
of Fish and Wildlife has
enacted severe restrictions
on coastal steelhead fishing
due to “low returns.”
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