Olympic National Park

[spacewrangler]

Drove in to Olympic NP with 3 friends about a month ago to do 6 days backcountry and some fishing. For the first few days we hiked right along the Hoh River and had ample time for fishing. Gradually made our way up to elk lake which was slap full (And I mean hitting your line not your fly slap full) of brookies. Camped by elk lake and could hear elk calling at night. Once you hear that you will never forget the sound. Hiked up to Blue Glacier the following day and munched on wild blueberries on the way back down to elk lake. More Brookie fishing at elk lake (they stocked eastern brookies in alot of these alpine lakes way back when and the pop. has really taken off. For instance, there are no limit on brook trout in Olympic NP.). As we were leaving we saw a mother black bear with cub across the lake. It was the best possible black bear experience 18 miles into the backcountry.
Backtracked along the Hoh river for a few more days and hooked into some pretty nice Dolly Varden trout. On the second to last day of our trip we rounded a corner of the trail to come face to face with a bull elk that stood 6 feet tall at the shoulder. Big SOB wouldn't leave the trail so we had to bushwack around him.

All in all a great trip and I would definitely recommend this park to anyone who is interested in some good backcountry hiking and some great fishing.

Caught my brookies on a 2 wt TFO with 3wt line.
Caught my Dolly on a 6 WT TFO with 6wt line.

-SW

[Roffwarg]

wow, looks like a great place. Olympic has been on my to do list for a while now and that report just bumped it up a little bit higher. thanks for sharing.

[mediaven]

My wife and I hiked in the park last September (including the Hoh). Didn't get a chance to fish, though.

Thanks for the report and the photos. Brings back good memories. Glad that you had a great time!

[flyg]

Ahhhhh. Thanks. So many places to fish. Great pics.

G

[fishmonger]

Cool post and pics, thanks!

FM

[Gaines'BowBum]

Spread Heads fishing instead of touring?? Just kidding... Yeah Washington has definitley been on my to do list for a while. Did yall check out any shows at the Gorge? I've heard that place is ridiculous to see a concert.
--Alex

[2HeartedRiver]

I was there earlier in the summer and we backpacked in to Royal Lake..another beautiful alpine lake filled with Brookies. Good fishin and eatin. Olympic is incredible...u never hear about it, and ive been to yosemite, sequoia,kings canyon, yellowstone, grand teton, grand canyon,....alll th big ones. Olympic and sequoia are my 2 favorites. There is sooo much variety at olympic...there is ocean, rainforest, and alpine glaciers. good fishin in an incredible place.