Northwest Fishing Reports

Just got back from a two day trip to Neah Bay. It was fun bit the fishing wasnt really hot. We were cleaning fish and discussing coming back in the spring instead of our usual eastern Wa trip. One of the guys at the cleaning station at the dock suggested we try La Push instead. He said the fishing was better than Neah has been the last few times he tried it.

When I checked the driving out, it looks like La Push is actually a shorter drive for us than Neah Bay. So, we are thinking about trying La Push for the first time this spring.

I just looked through the forum and fishing reports and there isnt much on La Push at all.

Im hoping some of you have fished there and are willing to share some tips and your experiences with lodging, food, fishing, etc.

Thanks!

Well it looks like either no one fishes at La Push or its the 'secret lake' of the salt water fishing holes

I fish out of Sekiu twice a year and have looked at La Push as an option. By looked I mean google maps and internet searches. Never actually driven out there. Not much information that I could find out there. Maybe it is the secret hole???

I recall reading several comments out there about issues with the tribal owned / permit areas that just turned me off to giving it a try. I'm probably missing out but the system we have works so I have trouble justify a "maybe ok" trip driving about the same distance instead of just doing what already works.

If you go I would certainly like to hear of your experience though .

I've heard similar stories about Neah Bay but we have fished there several times over the last 15 years or so. We did have someone shooting near us one time when we were drifting outside the kelp beds just inside the cape. We could hear bullets hitting the rocks and water a hundred yards or so from where we were drifting. We hauled out of there fast and that was the last time we went until recently. We reported it to the guys at Big Salmon, but who knows if anything was done. Most of the stories I've heard involved theft and or vandalism, but we had no problems like that.

I've heard a couple of stories like that about La Push too but not as many as Neah and none recent. Maybe because Neah has more traffic? I was kind of hoping to hear some recent reports to see what it was like now.

Because of stories like that, I was thinking that we might stay in Forks and pull the boat out and take it with us if we stay more than one day.

I will definitely post if we go.

La Push is a fantastic bottom fishing destination. There is simply more structure available from 120' on in than in the straight. Salmon fishing is hit or miss though as the fish heading south don't really come close to shore and tend to be found 5+ miles out. Fish heading up the Quillayute system don't typically arrive until late in the season or after it has come to a close.

Thanks for the info G-Man! I had not heard that about the salmon fishing. Have you stayed there in La Push or Forks? Any recommendations as far as lodging, eating etc or places to avoid?

I've driven through Forks a couple of times while making the great circle tour of the peninsula with the wife. I wasnt thinking in terms of fishing at the time, so I didnt pay much attention to anything other than the Twilight themed dinner we had lunch at.

We have a truck camper so we stay at the Quileute Oceanside Resort, which also has cabins/rooms for rent. The Marina is within walking distance from the RV sites so I normally just park the rig in the RV lot after launching the boat. The places in Forks are probably less expensive and more likely to pick up the phone when you call to make reservations. The resort in La Push is run by the tribe, their website reservation system doesn't work and they are not very good about returning calls. If you go by RV, there is really no need to call ahead though as there are always open slots. I can't speak to any of the food establishments, we bring our own.

Thanks for the info!

It is a Gold Mine. May the weather Gods allow you out of the harbor. Fog, winds and heavy rain has delayed my departure more than once.

I thought I had read everything on Leeroy's Ramblings website, but I missed the section on La Push. Good info. If you havent run across Leeroys's page before it has some great info and tips on lots of boating/fishing topics.

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/LaPush.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1/2" rebar jigs between 4" and 7" painted white work Great. Either the bottom will grab you or a fish. Either way take plenty of jigs with you.

Interesting. I have never used or even seen any rebar jigs. Are they like pipe jigs made from rebar? How do you attach hooks and swivels?

Thanks for the tips!