The Hoh River Experience 4

By Ray Gombiski. There is something special about the Hoh river, from the landscape to the fish, the Hoh will never disappoint a Steelhead fisherman. It had been several years since my last trip to the Hoh and I was sure this was to be a special trip. My friend Jay Christopherson would join me as we both experienced this drift for the first time. 

Our trip started at the mouth of Spruce Creek.This is an unimproved launch that requires a little muscle to get the drift boat to the water. Once in the water, I was immediately impressed with the character the upper river had to offer. On the third turn, we passed by a picturesque water fall that quickly drew our cameras. From there we picked our way though small boulders and long runs that provided some excellent fly fishing water. This was a gear day for Jay and myself so we passed up some prime holding water to make sure the fly fishermen were able to fish the water they had come to spend the day in. Our drift took us though many runs that were lined with old growth trees and excellent gravel. 

Once we were a few turns below the other anglers, we settled into a beautiful drift that produced our first strike. This take would produce just that, a strike. We continued down the river though some more great runs and found another fish mixed in small boulder patch. This fish had a similar result as the first one, another fish lost.

The lost fish was a bit frustrating until Jay had an 8lb hen explode on a plug. This surely was not like the hatchery 8lb fish we had caught all winter, this was a true native. She jumped numerous times and made two long runs. Once to the beach Jay was able to get a photo with his first Olympic Peninsula Steelhead and release her to produce more of these great fish. Now that we had landed a fish we were feeling a little more confident. We fished our way through a long stretch of braided river channel before entering the Oxbow Canyon.

This was my first time through the canyon and I was not sure exactly what to expect. We entered though a small boulder garden and rounded the corner into some of the finest Steelhead water I have ever had the privilege to fish.

The water in the canyon runs deep and pristine. The rocks are covered with moss and the walls a lined with giant trees. This section of the river is one that would have been special even if we had not been fishing. In the first hole I dropped anchor to have lunch. Jay had put the plugs out as we eating and just as I was getting ready to pull the anchor and fish the run Jay’s rod buries. This fish was coming up river like a dump truck, no tricks, and no jumps, not even much of a head shake. I knew immediately that this was a big fish. Jay had good tension on the fish and I was sure that the hook was pinned. The fish continued to charge the boat at a steady pace. My adrenalin was beginning to build when all at once this monster came to the top. We both were taken back with the size of this fish, and just as we were beginning to get really excited the fish rolls on the surface and the plug shoots fifteen feet in the air.

I have caught a number of Steelhead over 20 pounds and this fish was surely in that class. Jay took the loss well and we both felt lucky to have seen a true giant of the Olympic Peninsula.

The drift continued through the canyon. We picked our way though the rapids and fished the deep holes. Just after the 101 bridge I hooked another fish that I would loose. Somehow at that point a lost fish did not matter too much as I was overwhelmed with the pure magnificence of the Hoh. If you are experienced on the oars and have never floated the Hoh you should take the time to experience this northwest gem.

Jay Christopherson with his first wild Hoh River steelhead, a hen of 8 pounds.

Entering the Hoh River canyon. The canyon is filled with excellent steelhead and salmon holding water and is one of the many scenic stretches of water on the river.

Ray snaps a quick photo looking back upstream after going thru the Oxbow rapid.

Water everywhere! We passed this small waterfall just below the Spruce Creek boat launch on the upper Hoh.