With the current weather pattern we have been experiencing for the past several weeks, the rivers are almost down to early summer conditions. The low volume, the clarity and the amount of pressure pretty much prompted a need for a change in scenery.
This was a great opportunity to grab a couple of our well-known ODL "Young Guns" and head to the coast. That is exactly what myself, JP (Joseph Princen) & LPJ (Lael Paul Johnson) did. We all had Hoh on the brain, Hoh River that is and hit the road with anticipation. There is something to be said about a 25 degree sunrise out on the OP.
- Sunrise on the OP
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JP was the first to hook up, just below the put in at the Oxbow. Would you believe me if I told you he was actually getting rid of some early morning coffee, while dragging his float. Next thing I hear is "Oh crap, fish-on"... The outcome was successful, proof once again that these "Young Guns" are multi-talented.
- JP Hooks Up First
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The next fish was this very nice Native Hen. This proved to be a morning of odd-ball hook sets. I cast out my float near a nice pile of wood and then set my rod in the rod holder. I needed to get into my dry bag and find a hand towel. Of course my float goes down while I'm elbows deep in the bag. I grab my rod, which I honestly thought was simply hung up, but as it turns out, Fish-On....
- Gorgeous OP Native Hen
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Talking with a few of the local guides, they have been a bit amazed at all the pressure the Ho is getting. 30 to 35 boats on Saturday and Sunday is more than they are used to. In their words, extremely crowded, even for a big river like the Hoh. We hit the river Monday just trying to find a few scraps left behind. There has also been plenty of commercial pressure as well Sunday through Wednesday.
- Tribal Commercial Pressure
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Our day ended with one more hook-up and loss. In our minds this Ho adventure was successful, finishing the day with what seemed to be the boat average out there for that day. The clear blue skies and sunshine and spending the day on some of the best steelhead water in the State, priceless. Oh, and the Young Gun company wasn't too bad either... Truth be told, we had an absolute blast and the day ended as it begun. Only now the sun was setting instead of rising...
- Sunset on the OP
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