Letty,

You appear to be a quinalt guide who fishes cook creek and salmon river. One question I've wondered about is do the quinalts put a limit to the number of people per day who can fish these two areas?

The reason I ask is neither piece of water is very big and I have visions of, for example, 5 or more guides each taking 4 clients in to fish a small piece of water. That amounts to lot's of guys fishing basically creeks.

I'm really asking out of curiosity because I've considered checking them out from time to time just to experience something new but I want a quality experience, not just
paying 100+ dollars to line up with a bunch of other guys in one or two meat holes.

Could you fill us in on what a day is like on these 2 fisheries? Is there good potential for fishing unfished water? Any solitude? or is it a race to the good spots?

Thanks!

Eric

Eric,

I have fished Salmon River for several years. There is at least 6 good drifts between the Q1000 bridge and the hatchery. Room for probably 12 - 15 good fishermen, maybe more if they are friendly. There is Indian land below the Q1000 bridge as well, it is certainly more of a walk than the drifts above the bridge but there is good water down there as well and the opportunity for solitude is great as long as you are with a Quinault guide.
Tight lines,
Eddie

Eric, Glad to fill you in. No limit on # of people but a 2 fishermen per Quinault member limiton Salmon & Cook. 3 on the Quinault river while in a boat. Cook creek is 4.5 miles long. Mostly brushy banks. Fishable rez land on the Salmon is 5 miles above the hatchery with limited access. 1/2 mile below the hatchery to the Q 1000. Also, the lower Canyon on the salmon is on Rez. River mile 1.6 to 2.4 Several Guides are at 100.00 per person. Most are 75.00. River price is 125.00
Bottom line- If you don't mind walking(and brush on Cook creek) there is a lot of water that sees no fishermen. However, you will be away from the hatchery holes where most of the fish are caught. Week days expect 6-8 fishermen on Cook. Double on Week-ends. Salmon has less people then Cook creek. Most guides opt for Cook Creek when they are both open. Sometimes I'll fish both in one day.
Hope this answers your questions. Letty

Letty,
Is the Cook Creek area open to visitors who are interested in taking a look at the stream without fishing? Also, what is the total cost for fishing per day on Cook Creek? How do you schedule trips?

Total cost is 75.00 per person for 8 hours fishing. I book my trips on a first call basis. After that I refer people to other tribal members who guide. Anyone can stop by and check things out. You can go to visitor center at the hatchery and walk down to where we fish or cross the bridge and park in the pit and walk across the road down to the creek. I'm usually there. Stop by and say Hi
(heck, I might even be able to have you throw in a few casts!)