I had the opportunity for my first experience fishing the lower Quinault area with a "guide". The day started early, with the "guide" insisting we meet at 2:30am, about an hour south of the fishery. Needless to say, we did a lot of sitting around in the 19 degree weather, waiting for legal fishing time. By about 10:30, he was packing up.

There were five of us on our side of the creek, and three or four folks on the opposite side, all fishing the same 40' drift. The water was filled with dark red coho, and the bank covered with carcasses. All of us were drifting floats and jigs/beads in a slot about six feet wide. Total combat fishing. To everyone's credit, the entanglements were surprisingly rare, and amicably resolved.

Over the course of the short half day, I saw about ten steelhead taken, including my first steelhead on a float. So I can actually claim that I have a 100% lifetime landing rate on hookups, but the claim won't stand up to much scrutiny. :) Most of us also hooked or landed some of the numerous battle-worn coho that were thrashing around in that pool. Most of the time, folks were more than happy to see them spit their jigs.

I was fortunate to witness a young fellow, probably 14 years or so, land the largest steelhead I've ever seen. A person could be forgiven for thinking the teenager had banked a chinook. That was a great moment, whether you were the fisherman, or lucky enough to be a witness. Good on ya, young man!

Small jigs, especially in nightmare patterns, seemed to be the preferred choice that day, although I did briefly switch to a RvrFshr spinner, which produced coho on back-to-back casts. Later, I landed another coho on a Little Cleo spoon. The steelhead, though, didn't seem interested in those offerings which isn't surprising since the only way to fish them in the bobber flotilla was to go clear up to the top of the slot and fish across it.

One cautionary note: The person who provided us with access to the water for a substantial fee could not be called a "guide" without significantly overstating the value he provided. Please be careful about selecting guides for this area -- they're required, so be sure you're vetting your choice before you book. All three clients on this trip hated the experience and felt like we spent a pile of money to provide the "guide" and his buddy with an all-expenses-paid fishing excursion. He largely ignored us, choosing instead to spend the day fishing, on one occasion even leaving us in that drift and going off in search of other holes.

riverhunter

12/19/2016 5:30:00 PM

If you won't say it I will. Cook creek is a tribal river with only tribal guides allowed so you were fishing with a tribal person. With what you described I can understand your frustration with this particular person. If I were you I would say this persons name on any fishing website and describe your experience as to not put anymore money on this guys wallet. It's a shame they treated you that way!

RiverChromeGS

12/19/2016 9:29:00 PM

He doesnt have to say it. He is obviously talking about Wayne James of "Monsters Guide Service". Happened to me too a few years ago. Total joke, not worth a single penny

BluDog

12/19/2016 9:34:00 PM

I've fished with a tribal guide 6+ times. I've used 2 guides with mixed results. It's a different world. 1 I've been with a # of times and have had some fantastic times and some not so good. The 1 lady we fished with last year was awesome. I've also had friends that have used various tribal guides over the years with mixed results.

Here are some things that are good and some things not so good. Not all guides are the same. Some are actual guides and professional. Others aren't really guides and just want your $. Some are not reliable at all.
Good Things: On the Quinault. Prime water with either no other boats or just a couple. Can be lots of fish. Nice sized fish. Fresh fish. Big Fish. Nice guy. Very knowledgeable. On the Salmon. Great lady.. Was there on time. Took us to a great spot early. Nice fish. She worked for us. Liberal Limits.

Bad things on Quinault: Double booking. Wanting to put 4 in the boat when I had booked it for 2 people early. No $ discount or apology for the screw up. Not always reliable. Cut us to a 1/2 day during prime Salmon Time with excuses. Turns out he took someone hunting. Put a 3rd person in the boat on another occasion. Starts drinking by 10:00 a.m.. Salmon River. 5 people in a short stretch. Has gotten very crowded. Prices have increased. Very remote. A lot of effort and expense to get there and to have the trip go south because of an unreliable guide. I know of 1 reliable guide that has stopped guiding Steelhead because it isn't what it was.

Costs. In a boat your looking at $200 or more per person + tip. On the Salmon or Cook you're looking at $150 to $200 per person. I do know people that are getting walk ins for less but the guides aren't really guides. I've learned to ask a lot of questions. I suggest you do the same. Good Luck.

MoonValley

12/19/2016 10:33:00 PM

The rates we were charged were $175 for a half day, and $250 for a full day. I'd totally be willing to fish with a tribal guide again, but would pose a host of questions first. I found a review for the guide I used on YouTube, and they were very positive, but I cannot say my experience bore any similarities.

I did hear there was a female guide - I can't recall the name -- who provided great service and put her clients on lots of fish. If folks have any recommendations, I'd be glad to have them.

BluDog

12/19/2016 10:43:00 PM

If you paid $175 ea for a 1/2 day you paid to much unless you all had your limit of good Steelhead.. Did you supply your own gear? I know some charge more if they supply the gear. You should be getting a whole day for $150 on a walk in unless the rates have gone up. I know I draw the line at $150 + tip for a walk in.

MoonValley

12/20/2016 12:09:00 AM

I supplied most of my own gear, despite the guide's promise that all I would need is a rod & reel. To be fair, he supplied the first setup, and then would change something out if I pestered him about it, but most of the replacements for lost jigs, all of the spinners and spoons, etc were my own gear. As far as catching my limit, I went 1/1, landing a small but bright hen. One client had so many problems with his spinning reel that he eventually stopped fishing. Had I been the guide, I would have given him my rod. But that didn't happen. Eventually the client started fishing again, but there was a huge opportunity to serve him that was missed.

riverhunter

12/20/2016 8:12:00 AM

Not saying it is bad to get tribal guides but for other sakes it would be wise to call him out so it doesn't happen to others. Some tribal guides can be excellent guides just have to be cautious and do your research before booking one!

MoonValley

12/20/2016 8:56:00 AM

I'm hesitant to name names, partly because that presents only one side of the story, and partly because I have no desire to be banned from the site for posting negative comments. So I prefer to limit my comments to the experience provided by the guide, and not to the person.

rondell79

12/20/2016 10:04:00 AM

MoonValley, I'm sorry that you had this experience, though I applaud you for bringing it to light. You seem like an imminently reasonable person wherein someone else that had this experience wouldn't have been nearly as objective and fact-based. Fishing Cook Creek is a unique experience. I experienced this for the first time at the end of November. The fishery itself has its plusses and minuses but it's all about the right expectations going into it. I booked a trip with Ashley Nichole Lewis (Bad Ash Fishing), a professional guide all over the OP who also runs walk-in trips to the Cook and Salmon. I booked this trip because I wanted a chance at early steel and my friend is a neophyte angler who is learning. This is the perfect fishery for both and Ashley set our expectations accordingly. The fishing experience itself was excellent and she treated the trip the same way she'd treat a 10 hr. drift boat trip, both in terms of making sure the clients were comfortable and working her butt off to fix our broken rigs and snags. My point in bringing this up is to re-iterate some of the points made previously, namely, Cook Creek fishing is what it is, but not all guides are the same. There are some very knowledgeable and conscientious guides that do trips to this fishery. Bad Ash Fishing is one of them. People should experience this fishery if they are into landing chrome or just learning. It's still the OP, beautiful as that area is. My $0.02

MoonValley

12/20/2016 11:45:00 AM

Thanks for a great comment, rondell79. Ashley's name may actually be the one I've heard and forgotten. The hole we fished in Cook Creek was definitely combat fishing, but I suppose a great many of the holes that have the attributes a beginner needs -- a high chance for hookups, adequate access, room to cast, etc - share that same drawback. My first ever steelhead fishing experience was on the infamous Tokul Creek, which is widely known not only for the tight conditions, but for its occasional surly angler. I enjoy fishing for Coho on spinners, and have learned that the best fishing is usually in the toughest conditions as far as access and the amount of effort required to ply those waters.

MoonValley

1/20/2017 2:47:00 PM

RiverChromeGS: You're very perceptive.

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