Happy new year, Variety pack

The last week of December can turn out all different kinds of fish.

This year we got hatchery steelhead, native steelhead and some coho, along with some nice cutthroat.

Late December Coho still looking good

Just a little to the south of us late season silvers are common, but on the North coast finding bright fish into January is for sure an exception.

Looking out for these late coho is important.  As the river becomes more and more inhospitable to early fish due to low flows and intense sport and commercial fishing pressure, it seems these late fish may be our future.

We should have caught this hatchery hen steelhead the week before

We were chatting about how many hatchery fish you would have to catch to make it worth skipping a chance for a big December native.  I say 6.  But this is certainly value judgment everyone has to make for themselves.

I really enjoy the challenges (and rewards) of fishing for winter hatchery fish.  I like the accessibility of it, and the opportunity to really hone your skills in water you can be sure holds fish.  I enjoy the camaraderie of fishing around other anglers.

If you can get a cold day with low flows it is exceptionally reminiscent of winter fishing for tail water trout.  Except they are all 6 to 9 pounds.

I feel no guilt in pursuing them like its a vendetta.

Mint bright hatchery hen from the lower river

If you are willing to go looking for wild steelhead in December you may well find one, you probably won’t find two.

The fish are beginning to file into predictable spots in all the rivers, but they are not where the hatchery fish are, so you have to forgo one to get the other.

We were chatting about how many hatchery fish you would have to catch to make it worth skipping a chance for a big December native.  I say 6.  But this is certainly value judgment everyone has to make for themselves.

I really enjoy the challenges (and rewards) of fishing for winter hatchery fish.  I like the accessibility of it, and the opportunity to really hone your skills in water you can be sure holds fish.  I enjoy the camaraderie of fishing around other anglers.

I also love the absolute solitude of fishing for native fish this time of year.  The uncertainty of the outcome, and the relatively high stakes aspect.  You are probably only going to get a couple of bites, if you miss them, ..well you will never know what awesome thing was down there.

There is a harsh raw beauty to the rain forest in its coldest wettest months.  Its a challenge just to be there, if you don’t find a little joy in miserable weather, its gonna suck for you.

The forest seems thrilled with all the water,  the moss is plumped up and glistening and every little tributary is rushing and bursting with water.  Nothing is dry, not the inner most pocket of your best base layer, the wind blows the dampness everywhere.

Thomas with a December native steelhead, already showing color.  Thomas is the one in the hat.

Its a fun, yet challenging season, we have a few dates open.

Jim Kerr

Rain Coast Guides

Forks Wa