I've fished it since '96.

The early November-January fishery are for hatchery fish in the smaller tribs and surrounding rivers. Cook Creek and the Salmon River. These are walk-in trips and if the timing is right, there can be a ton of fish to be caught in a single day.

Right Kevin?

If and when the Quinault drops in to shape, they will start fishing the on the Quinault in Jan and go all the way through April. The big broodstock fish are returning at this point and that's where people go out for the big fish. Can be hit or miss (as always). Although most of these fish are unclipped, most of them are still hatchery fish.

Since the river flows from the lake, and the lake turns over in the winter, it usually takes the river until Feb to clean up enough to fish.

If I had to recommend a guide, I'd recommend Clay Butler, although I don't fish with him. The guide I used only takes his long-time clients out. He's sine bought a crab boat and does the commercial crab thing...and only fishes when HE wants to. I think he's all but giving up the guiding business.