Here I go again...O.P. Steelhead season 2017

The days are getting longer and the signs of spring are near. this year the run seems strong and its the first year ever that you can not keep a wild Steelhead. I am hopeful for the future of this Northwest icon, wild Steelhead are a indicator of a healthy environment. I am grateful to be able to pursue my dreams and to be a fly fishing guide for almost three decades. What this year has also seen so far is a huge increase in Guides on the rivers around the small town of Forks. The rivers are plentiful with no less that four surrounding this nw portion of the O.P. and a short drive farther south you can fish the Queets and its tributary the Clearwater. With all the floats on each river available its hard to believe over 50 boats on a stretch...but last year that was my reality. It started to get a little "Dog eat Dog" with guides looking to gain an edge everywhere they went. From putting in your boat at 0 dark thirty, to throwing gear on top of each other, even fishing in unfavorable conditions...oh and do not forget the natives and their nets. Some days were slow and some days we hit the jackpot but the real issues were too many guides with not much experience in river manors.