[Flycaster99]

Hi,

I am planning for 4-5 days trip in the 3rd week of March 2015 and is looking for recommendations for a river that will give me the best probability of getting a grab from fresh run wild Steelhead on the swing with a Spey rod.

Two possibilities I am considering right now are Forks, WA and the Gold River on Vancouver Island. I am inclining more towards Forks WA as it is more affordable. Accommodation and guiding services on the Gold River seems to be really costly as compared to every where else and I'm not sure I can afford it. Nevertheless, I am also hearing that Forks can get rather crowded in Mar too...

Any recommendations for other locations and guides would be much appreciated. As mentioned, key consideration is to get a grab from wild Steelhead and not to be skunked over the 4-5 days. I spent 4 days on the North Umpqua in Mar 2014, incredible and beautiful river to fish, but the river blew out for 2 days and I blanked out on the remaining 2 in very high water...

Thanks in advance for any recommendations or suggestions. Please PM if you don't want to advertise your locations in public.

Best Regards

 

[fishinfool]

Try the Skeena around Terrace.
Check out Skeena River Lodge.

 

[fredaevans]

Top 30 miles of the Rogue above Medford, Oregon.

Our winter fish run late as do our summer runs. Late Feb to the end of April is the 'prime time.' Fly into Portland, OR and take the flight shuttle (two or three trips per day) into Medford. If your landing approach is from the north, most likely, you fly right over the water you will want to fish 'first.' Fifteen minutes after you sign the rental car agreement you will be putting on your waders.

Aka Tou Velle park ($5.00 parking fee or $20.00 for the year). Spend about ten bucks and get the Streamtime Rogue River map. Dated as it may be its still dead on as to access/what you'll find 'boots on the ground.'

The other 'map' you'll want is a street map for Grants Pass. Many of the streets dead end on the river. I've fished many of them and have yet to see another fisherman.

Google Earth is also an excellent tool with the map(s) spread out on your desk. Photo's are very current and zip has changed since they were taken. :smokin:

If you decide to improve our local economy PM me with your map(s) ready and I'll give you a 'rock by rock' run down on where to fish. Fish I can't guarantee. But that's why they call it 'fishing' not 'catching.' Or so I'm told.

fae

 

[Pesqa]

The Skeena can be great at in late March and some big fish rolling through, its a long trip north at around 14 hrs drive out of Vancouver B.C.

There are a couple of awesome guides that I could recommend in that area who we work with but I would agree that the OP is better for 4/5 days. If you were considering 6/7 days go to the Skeena or Kitimat.

When I first saw this post I was going to suggest Doug Rose so I went looking for his email then found he had died in 2013, such a great guy he had a passion for the fish and the OP which really came through when I fished with him. Such a shame, very good guide and a great guy.
Sam

 

[Jumbo]

Hmmm

Singapore.....long way to come for 4-5 days.

anywhere you go, you run the risk of being blown out. More so on the OP nr Forks than Skeena country or Rogue country.

good luck.

 

[Snagly]

Singapore steelheading options

The travel times to Forks and Terrace are pretty much the same from Singapore assuming you're flying to SEA and driving vs. YVR and then on to Terrace by air. I imagine it's a little longer door-to-door to Medford but not appreciably so. If you don't drive well jetlagged, then that's a vote against Forks as it's a few hours hike from the airport.

There are great guides in both places. If you are after more wilderness, then there are small Skeena tribs with jet boat or hike-in access that will give you more solitude than, say, fishing the Hoh or Sol Duc is likely to provide.

PM sent.