I have heard alot of GREAT fishing on the Quinalt River. Has any of you guys ever fished it for winter steelhead and could recommend a guide. I checked out there website and there are several guides. Also, what is the BEST month to go for winter steelhead? THANKS

December-January.... tons of fish
Feb-March...... BIG FISH

Probally the most productive steelhead river around...
I've fished w/Richie Underwood and a guy called "TATER"...
Just understand that your paying more for the access to fish the river then you are for a guide... I more think of them as 'escorts'... hope this helps... and good luck...

Book early, I hear they fill up fast for prime dates...but, never been personally!

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.

What about summer runs? I was thinking about backpacking along it inside the national park.

I know the Q get's a few summer runs, but not many. I have no idea if those fish will head up in to the upper Q.

Clay Butler is pretty good as well as Letty like stated above bring your own gear. Very few Summer fish above the lake but there are a few look for them later in the Summer rather than earlier. In my opinion not worth the effort.

I've hiked the Q in the park before, beautiful hike, great fishing at times..been a long time though....trail head to Dosewallips St Park, 50 miles in 7 days...best hike I've ever done.

The guides are just esscorts, and they are standing right next to you hooking fish that you could be hooking. It doesn't bother me much, but I have witnessed several of their clients get mad when they hog the water that the customer pays to fish. It's not for the weak at heart. Lots of those guides are great snaggers. Be ready for a crowded fishery. Elbow to elbow in not uncommon. They might bring a little gear for you, but most likely not.
The numbers of fish can be awesome.

last December 26th, I hooked 68 steelhead in 8 hours. It was unbelievable. Most would not believe it, unless you where there.

Clay Buttler always has a smile on his face, and seems to be good with his guys. I use John Boyer and he's good too.

Clay Butler is the one I would call. Walk in's on Cook Creek are a joke. Salmon River is somewhat better. If you don't want to be crowded, don't do the walk in trips.

I have fished the Upper Q a lot in the past 5 years. It is one of the most beautiful river I have ever experienced. This past year alone we boated 7 fish that were over 25 lbs. One of the best things about this river is how quick it comes back into shape. Of the three majors that I fish (hoh, queets, upper quinault) the upper quinault is fishable way more than the other two.

As far as the lower quinault, if Robbin Rhoades is still guiding he is a pretty good bet. If he is not I would have to second the post about Letty Potter.

If you are looking for numbers December and January are a good bet. You might even tie into a nice king or coho in December. If you are looking for size, late February through the closure in April is good to great. I have personally caught more big fish out of the hoh than the upper Q, but the upper Q is by far fishable longer.

Wow, they (the guide/escort) followed you around for 8 hours? Most of them I've seen hustle their clients in and out in a hurry. Those fish at the hatchery have the shortest memory- rest the drift for 10 minutes and your back in business....

I am a Clay Butler fan.

Fished it since "95".Use to go with Robbin Rhoades.Since he is out of the game I think I'd go with Clay Butler.As far as summer runs go i've heard of a few but not to many.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

P.S. Cook Creek is a "GAY" fishery.

I'll second that.
I watched a guide "arrange" for her clients to snag silvers from The Hole in Cook Cr. with #6 vibrax's, dragging them in by the back.
Stick with the boat trips.

Has anyone ever fished with Benny Benavidez?