Seasons
We fish and guide on a handful select rivers all year round, targeting species according to what’s running in the river at the time. Here are the species we target and months they are present.
Species we target and months they are in the river:
Trout – Cutthroat & Rainbow – May-October
Summer Steelhead – June-October
Coho Salmon – July-November
Chinook Salmon – September-November
Winter Steelhead (Swing only) – November-April
Our Guides
Curt Reed
Head guide Curtis Reed has been with Waters West for over 20 years and is an integral part and a major asset to the shop.
During this time, he has fished and guided extensively throughout the Olympic Peninsula with heavy emphasis on the famous steelhead rivers near Forks, Washington.
Curt is a skilled fisherman and a true professional. A day on the water will always be fun and informative and most likely involve hands that smell of fish. He’s a well-rounded fly tier, an outstanding spey caster, and one of the best instructors around. He teaches many of our classes and clinics on all things fly fishing and is available for private lessons as well.
His fly fishing roots began as a boy studying entomology and tying flies for his dad. It wasn’t long until he had his first 4-weight and was hooked for life. He has since evolved into a very knowledgeable, incredibly patient guide with a passion for fishing and a gift for teaching.
Josh Warnick
Josh is relatively new to the sport but has a natural talent for finding steelhead. His tireless work ethic, endless positivity, and dedication to conservation make him a valuable part of our team.
Josh has an infectious enthusiasm for fishing that helps make even the coldest wettest day on the coast fun.
Rates
| Type Of Trip | 1 Angler | 2 Anglers | 3 Anglers |
| Full Day Float Trip | +tax | +tax | N/A |
These rates include all fishing gear (rods, reels, leaders, flies, etc).
Not included in this price is your Washington State Fishing license, sales tax, wader & boot rental(if needed), and gratuity for the guide.
Frequently asked questions
What if I'm new to fly fishing?
What if I'm new to fly fishing?
Great! We love welcoming new fly anglers to this lifelong hobby.
There is no better place to learn than on the water, having a guide at your side will help shorten the learning curve and save you the frustration of having to figure things out on your own. Think of a guided trip as a full day immersive fly fishing lesson
We also provide all the essential gear. Just show up ready to learn and we’ll take care of the rest.
What Should I Bring?
What Should I Bring?
Our guided trips include all necessary tackle, lunch/snacks and water. Anglers are certainly welcome to bring their favorite rods, flies, beverages, etc.
This is what you will need to bring:
- Waders and Boots – If you do not have any, let us know so we can get you a pair of rentals, or set you up with your own brand new Waders & Boots
- Fishing License – Make sure to get this before the day of your trip. If you get it online it usually takes about 10 days to get to you. Otherwise you can get one at Swains General Store, Mt. Pleasant IGS grocery store (open late), or Wal-Mart in Port Angeles or Forks Outfitters in Forks. Make sure to get the “Salmon/Steelhead Catch Card” as well. The catch card is required and free when you purchase your license.
- Sunglasses and hat (eye and head protection and helpful for seeing into the water)
- Quality Rain Jacket in muted tone if possible(bright colored jackets can spook fish, especially during summer conditions). It rains often here, some days just a light sprinkle other days it might seem like the air is water. Cheap rain jackets just do not hold up in this environment.
- Appropriate clothing: summers are generally mild, with a lightweight long sleeve being the most you’d probably need, but fall and winter are a different world. The weather can change dramatically throughout the day, and the forecast is often wrong. Make sure to dress in layers, and remember the more insulated your core is, the warmer your hands and feet will be. A warm hat and gloves are also highly recommended. Thick wool socks are highly recommended to protect your feet from blisters and also keep them warm. Please keep in mind that clothing made out of cotton is the worst thing you can wear in wet conditions.
Where do we meet?
Where do we meet?
We do most of our river fishing around Forks, Washington, about an hour west of our shop.
We will often meet our clients right in, or nearby Forks, depending on the river we are fishing.
If you are staying in Port Angeles and do not have transportation, we can usually make arrangements for your guide to pick you up in town.
What if I need waders?
What if I need waders?
If you need gear, all tackle is provided on any guided trip.
We are happy to offer rental gear for anglers who want to travel light or may just be fishing for a day while in the area.
Waders & Boots – $25/day
How Do I Book A Trip?
How Do I Book A Trip?
Just give us a call at (360) 417-0937 or email info@waterswest.com