Olympic Peninsula Water Levels

[Yhandi]

Hi all, Im considering my options to see if there is any real chance of finding fishable steelhead water with these massive downpours we are getting. I want to leave for a trip to the Olympic Peninsula on the 28th, but I don't have much experience there, as I stick to the Cascade mountains for my fly fishing. I do not know how bad the water levels will be there in the next few days, as it is my understanding that these rivers get a lot of rain, and rely less on a snowpack than we do in the Cascades. Thus, I assume that the rivers over there take more kindly to getting a lot of rain. Obviously, the rivers will still be high, but will they be fishable?
Yhandi

 

[klq@stl]

USGS Current Water Data for Washington

 

[albula]

You would be well advised to choose another time. The highest I have ever considered fishing the Hoh was a little over 4000 cfs. It is currently running at above 22,000 and more rain is predicted.

 

[Shad]

Agreed. Early January is looking like the next time the conditions MIGHT be fishable. Hoh ususally takes longer to come back into shape than the Quil. system, so factor that into your planning....

 

[Yhandi]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I plan to delay this trip, especially after reading everyone else opinions.

 

[brownheron]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I plan to delay this trip, especially after reading everyone else opinions.

Smart move. Photo of the Sol Duc below. Hoh and Bogachiel are probably worse. I agree with the comments above that it'll be after New Year's before the rivers are back in good shape.

 

[Dustin Chromers]

The rivers are higher than Snoop dog at a hemp convention.

 

[Yard Sale]

Good tree riding conditions!

 

[Divad]

My trip got delayed too, but I am happy to wait it out. When schools are back in session, fishing gets better

Also thank you for the photo @Thomas Mitchell , hello chocolate milk

 

[brownheron]

My trip got delayed too, but I am happy to wait it out. When schools are back in session, fishing gets better

Also thank you for the photo @Thomas Mitchell , hello chocolate milk

No prob. Happy to provide real-time feedback when I'm out here which is about 30-40% of the time, weighted heavily towards when fishing is decent.

Those levels are kind of a 'normal' high water event. Last Nov. it got close to 10' higher out back.