[phunkysalmon]

Hey there,

I'll be in the PNW in late March. I have a few guides lined up on the Oregon coast?:hihi: I am also fishing the Skagit / Sauk later in the trip.

The in between is the question:

With an extra 4 days to fish by foot (coming in from AK - no personal boat), should I stay in Oregon or head to the Olympic Peninsula?

Thanks.

 

[JDJones]

Scott O'Donnell guides the North Oregon coast west of Portland. J.D. Love has been guiding the OP forever. These are the Guys I would talk to if I had to make that decision. I don't know how crowded it is on the N. Or. coast. The OP is pretty isolated that time of year because it is too long a drive from Seattle for a day trip.

 

[NrthFrk16]

actually the OP can get quite crowded in March especially on the more popular drifts. and day trips to the OP are possible...they are Hell but I do a fair amount of each year, especially during the shortened days of November and December.

 

[7141-4]

Either destination would be a good bet. It's the peak time for the bigger wild fish. The extra drive to the peninsula would be worth it but the Oregon coast is worthy as well. Just keep an eye on the weather, that will have the final say. You don't necessarily need a drift boat. In fact a good tactic is to hit runs near the take-outs in the morning and the put ins in the afternoon. As it happens I am going to be somewhere in that region from the 22nd to the 27th. I already have plans for the 22nd to the 25th but I'll be on my own the 26th through the 28th. PM me if you want more info I can help a little.

BTW where are you from in AK? I spent 8 summers up there near Bethel, Aleknagik and Skwetna.

 

[thelongestcast]

Some of the better small streams on the central and north Oregon coast close on March 15th. For what that's worth.

Crowds seem to thin out here right around this time of year (mid-Feb), and by March you would have most of the water to yourself, especially on the wild fish rivers. Still, there's not *that* much water to fish, especially if you are limited to the north coast. The weather/flows will dictate what will fish (or fish best) when you are here, and usually that is only a small percentage of the available stream miles. In really high water, there are only a couple places on the north coast even bothering with in March.

Most of the coast fishermen in Oregon are after meat, so they'll be in the first couple miles below the hatcheries (that is, if they are not already off chasing springers). Avoid these spots if you can.

If it were me, though, I'd check out the Olympic. More water, more fish, and arguably better scenery.

 

[7141-4]

Just a clarification....most streams in Oregon close the 31st of March not the 15th. While you are there you will find that most all steelhead streams are open. Don't take my word for it, download the regs off the ODFW website.

 

[phunkysalmon]

walk for a tug.....

Thanks a bunch for the info.

Sounds like weather (no blowouts...no blowouts.... no blowouts) will be a deciding factor.