[cody77]

My buddy and I from AK are currently deployed to Afghanistan with 4/25 ABCT and will be returning in September 2012. We want to take a 7-10 day trip in Mid October during our two weeks of leave to fish Steelhead. We will be saving up our deployment money for the trip so price is not a huge factor. The dates are the main constraint, it will most likely be the first to third week of October.


Question: If you could go anywhere where would you reccomend going? What area and river? Ideas have been Alaska, BC or the PNW.

We are fairly decent two handed casters that swing for trout/steelhead/salmon off of the road system in South Central Alaska and the Kenai Penninsula.

Thanks for reading this.

 

[roballen]

Lots of options for steelhead that time of year with plenty of pros and cons.

One choice would be a run to Smithers/Terrace for some Skeena action but based on the last couple years there is a good chance of the rivers going out on you and not being able to fish for a week.

Another choice would be to Fish the Clearwater, Snake and Grand Ronde. Only downsides here are buying 2-3 licenses( Oregon Washington and Idaho)
big plus is nothing will be blown out at least not for more than a day.

Southern Oregon another good choice Umpqua , Rogue, maybe even northern California Trinity and Klamath.

If it were me and I had that time off i would spend it on the coast of Washington chasing coho and chums with flies much easier than fighting the crowds chasing steelhead... maybe even throw in a clam dig for some good eats...

 

[gibby1]

If you've never been the Deschutes is pretty nice that time of year-little less crowds. You could then fish other rivers in Oregon or Washington. Make a road trip out of it.
Thanks for your service!

 

[middlecalf]

speywater guides on the grand ronde (they're a site sponsor), you'll get a top-notch float trip through a desert canyon with virtually no one else, plus awesome guide service (all aspects of 2-hand fishing for steel) and food - you don't do anything but fish, eat and relax. 4 day trip, so you can hit the clearwater first/after, be sure and stop in at the redshed and say hi to Poppy, he'll take care of you for sure.

 

[Armo_Ak]

Lets explore unimak!

1) Get dropped of on Unimak/AK peninsula for a do it yourself exploratory. You know there are fish around.

2) http://www.flyfishingtravel.com/alaska/sandy.html

3) Karluk river. Later in Oct. the better. Nice cabin rentals right on the prime water. Decent access and 2nd largest run of fish in the state.

Stay safe.

I'm headed to SE last week of Oct/first of Nov. Let me know if you have flexibility.

 

[CTobias]

Northwest would be my choice. You have plenty of water in Washington State and Oregon you could explore. Could even rent a drift boat and float some rivers.

 

[sixheads]

First Cody, to you and all your bud's in 4/25 ABCT, thanks for volunteering twice to serve your country. Airborne all the way.

Speywater Guide Service, recommended in an earlier post would be a great choice. Ed, Mike and Scott are the best in the business, IMO. Book early if you decide to go with them.

If you ever want to fish the rivers of the Lost Coast in Nor Kali give me shout. I'd be proud to put you in some fishy water.

Be well and safe.

Best Regards,
sixheads
10th SFG
'58-'62

 

[lsteinb]

Gran Ronde

Cody:
Think I would second sixheads on this one. Every report I've read
about this trip rocks. Thanks, as well for your service.
Sixheads - you must be my age -10th SFG
'58-'62 Thank you for your service, too.
Best,
lsteinb

 

[cody77]

Speywater it its

Thanks gentlemen for all the advice. It's funny you all mentioned speywater guide service. I had emailed Scott, Mike and Ed a couple days prior to posting on here. Scott promptly replied and we discussed setting up a Trip. I think my buddy and I are sold. I've fished the Deschutes for Steelhead a couple of times but have always wanted to Fish in NE Oregon.

Armo....I thought about heading back that way as well. After a year over here though I think I'd like to do some relaxing as well to, but don't worry the Aleutians are still on my list.

Thanks again.

Cody

 

[StillInScrubs]

I fifth or sixth Scott being good to fish with, you won't be disappointed.

If you have never been to the Clearwater, I think it is great. Tons of river miles and Poppy.

Thank you very much for your service.

Stay safe,
Scrubs

Are you guys going to have a chance to tie flys? Or are you gonna need to get some for your trip? I am guessing the later, but thought I might ask.

 

[cody77]

tying lflies

We will probably have to buy them. I've have a couple of full boxes I use for the deschutes in sizes 2-8 that I will take.