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Calawah River - (Washington) Olympic Peninsula

Updated October 20, 2025

calawah river

🎣 Fishing Spot: Calawah River, Olympic Peninsula

đŸžïž General Details About the Calawah River

The Calawah River is a 31-mile tributary of the Bogachiel River on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, renowned among steelheaders as one of the most technically challenging and rewarding streams in the Pacific Northwest. Flowing from the virgin forests of the Olympic Mountain foothills through pristine wilderness before joining the Bogachiel River west of Forks, the Calawah—whose name comes from the Quileute word "qàló?wa:" meaning "in between" or "middle river"—offers crystal-clear water, spectacular pocket water rapids, and the very real possibility of encountering giant steelhead exceeding 20 pounds.

What sets the Calawah apart from neighboring Olympic Peninsula rivers is its gin-clear water and technical character. While rivers like the Bogachiel offer broad, smooth flows with easy wading, the Calawah demands precision, stealth, and advanced technical skills. This is a river that will test every aspect of your steelheading ability—reading water, presentation, hook-setting, and fish-fighting in tight quarters with powerful fish and challenging hydraulics.

The Calawah consists of three distinct fishable sections divided by natural features and regulations. The upper section (from Olympic National Park boundary to the forks of North and South Calawah) features intimidating Class III+ rapids including the notorious "Hell's Half Mile," demanding expert rowing skills and offering early-season fishing until its February 28 closure. The middle section (from the forks to Highway 101 bridge) provides a shorter float with excellent pocket water and runs under catch-and-release regulations. The lower section (below Highway 101 to the Bogachiel confluence) allows boat fishing and offers beautiful tail-outs, long runs, and the productive confluence with the Bogachiel River.

The river's two major tributaries, the North Fork and South Fork Calawah, flow from unpopulated foothills covered in ancient forest. The entire 129 square mile watershed above Highway 101 consists of virgin forest, creating habitat conditions as pristine as any steelhead stream in Washington. This wilderness character, combined with the river's moderate size (typically 60-100 feet wide), creates ideal technical pocket water—boulder gardens, seam water, plunge pools, and gravel runs that require surgical precision rather than brute-force casting.

The Calawah supports both wild and hatchery steelhead runs, though the controversial wild broodstock program was discontinued in 2021 following recommendations from local guides and WDFW. Current management focuses on segregated hatchery programs designed to provide harvest opportunities while minimizing impacts to wild fish. Winter steelhead arrive from November through March, with hatchery fish dominating early (December-January) and wild fish becoming more prominent in February-March. Summer steelhead return June through September in smaller but aggressive numbers.

Unlike the massive Hoh or remote Clearwater, the Calawah is accessible yet challenging. Highway 101 crosses the river approximately 6.6 miles upstream from its mouth, providing a central access point that divides management zones. Access above 101 requires navigating Forest Service Road 29 approximately 1.5 miles north of Forks. The lower river can be reached via La Push Road at Tall Timbers access and by walking behind the Bogachiel Fish Hatchery ponds. Despite this relative accessibility, the river's technical nature and clear water create a natural selection—only skilled, patient anglers consistently succeed here.

The Calawah's crystal-clear water is both blessing and curse. Visibility often exceeds 6-8 feet, allowing you to sight-fish to steelhead holding in specific lies but also making fish extremely spooky and leader-shy. This clarity demands long leaders, light tippets, natural presentations, stealthy approaches, and perfect technique. One false cast, one clumsy wade, one poorly presented offering, and the fish you can see holding in that perfect pocket will spook and not return for hours.

What draws serious steelheaders to the Calawah despite its challenges is the quality of fish. This river consistently produces steelhead in the 15-25 pound class, with 20-pounders caught annually and occasional fish pushing 25-30 pounds. The late-season wild steelhead (February-March) are particularly impressive—powerful, aggressive double-striped bruisers that fight with extraordinary strength in the Calawah's fast pocket water. These are not hatchery dinks—these are trophy-class wild steelhead that will test your tackle, skills, and determination to their absolute limits.

🌟 Why the Calawah River Is Special

đŸ’” Cost and Access (2025)

The Calawah River is managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), with upper sections flowing through Olympic National Forest and adjacent to Olympic National Park. Access ranges from straightforward to adventurous depending on which section you target. Costs are minimal beyond licensing, but technical skills and proper equipment are essential.

đŸŽ« 2025 Licensing and Access Fees

Item Cost Notes
WA Freshwater License (Annual) $35.50 (Resident) Required for anyone 15+
WA Freshwater License (Annual) $84.00 (Non-Resident) Out-of-state anglers
Two-Pole Endorsement $20.35 (Add-on) Allows second rod
Steelhead Catch Record Card Included with license REQUIRED; must be in possession while fishing
Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement Included Required for anadromous fish
One-Day Fishing License $13.00 (Resident) / $24.00 (Non-Resident) Good option for visiting anglers
Drift Boat Launch Fee Free Public access at Highway 101 bridge
Three Rivers Resort Varies Private cabins, RV sites, camping, guide services
Klahanie Campground Free - $20/night USFS campground ~6 miles upriver from highway
Bogachiel State Park $12-45/night Nearby camping base (confluence area)

Critical 2024-25 Regulations:

  • NO BAIT ALLOWED: Selective gear rules prohibit all bait, scents, and scented materials
  • Single-Point Barbless Hooks ONLY: No treble hooks; only one hook per lure/rig
  • Release ALL Wild Steelhead: Must release immediately; cannot remove fully from water
  • Hatchery Steelhead Limit: 2 per day (must show healed adipose fin clip)
  • Season: December 2, 2024 - March 31, 2025
  • Boat Fishing Restrictions:
    • ALLOWED: Below Highway 101 bridge (lower section)
    • PROHIBITED: Above Highway 101 bridge, South Fork (boats for transport only)
  • Upper Section Special Rules: National Park Boundary to forks closes February 28

Where to Buy Licenses: Online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov or at retailers in Forks (multiple options including Three Rivers Resort, local tackle shops).

Access Points and Facilities:

Lower Calawah (Below Highway 101):

Middle Calawah (Highway 101 to Forks):

Upper Calawah (Above Forks):

Services in Forks (Nearest Town):

CRITICAL: Always check WDFW Emergency Rules (https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/emergency-rules) before every trip. Regulations can change mid-season based on run forecasts and escapement. The Calawah's boat fishing restrictions are strictly enforced—violations carry steep fines.

🐟 Species and Seasonal Timing

The Calawah River supports robust runs of wild and hatchery steelhead along with seasonal salmon opportunities. The river's stable flows and clear water create excellent conditions for both winter and summer runs, though timing and techniques vary significantly between seasons.

Species Peak Season Notes
Winter Steelhead (Wild & Hatchery) December – March (Peak: January-February) The Calawah produces excellent winter steelhead with a mix of hatchery and wild fish. Hatchery fish (adipose fin-clipped) dominate December-January, providing harvest opportunities (2 per day limit). Wild steelhead become more prominent February-March, including trophy fish regularly exceeding 20 pounds. Late-season wild fish (Feb-March) offer best shot at 20+ pounders. Average size: 8-16 pounds (hatchery), 12-24 pounds (wild). Best flows: 400-1,500 cfs. Clear water demands stealth and technical presentations. ALL WILD STEELHEAD MUST BE RELEASED immediately without removing fully from water.
Summer Steelhead June – September (Peak: July-August) Modest but reliable summer run of primarily hatchery fish. Fish average 6-12 pounds and are extremely aggressive toward flies, hardware, and jigs. The Calawah's clear, cold water provides excellent summer steelhead habitat. Fish hold in fast, oxygenated pocket water and are active feeders. Catch-and-release only. Summer fishing receives minimal pressure—often have entire river to yourself. Surface flies (bombers, wakers) produce explosive strikes. Best during stable flows 300-800 cfs.
Chinook (King) Salmon March – April Spring Chinook begin showing up in March and continue through mid-April as winter steelhead season closes. Fish average 15-30 pounds with occasional giants to 40+ pounds. These are aggressive fish migrating to spawning grounds. Found in deeper pools, tail-outs, and runs. Check retention regulations—may be catch-and-release or limited harvest depending on year. Spring Chinook overlap with late winter steelhead.
Coho (Silver) Salmon October – November (Peak: November) Excellent run of aggressive coho averaging 6-12 pounds. Coho arrive with fall rains and provide outstanding action in the Calawah's pocket water. More willing to strike than Chinook and fight with spectacular aerial displays. Found throughout river in runs, pools, and tail-outs. Retention may be allowed—check current regulations for dates and limits. Coho fishing from Highway 101 downstream is open in fall. Often overlooked due to focus on steelhead.
Chum (Dog) Salmon November – December Late-season run of chum averaging 8-14 pounds. Chum arrive in schools and are very aggressive toward swung flies—provide excellent technical fishing. These powerful fish fight hard in the Calawah's fast water. Check retention regulations—typically no retention. Excellent practice for winter steelhead techniques. Found in deeper runs and pools throughout system.
Sea-Run Cutthroat Trout June – October Beautiful native sea-run cutthroat averaging 12-18 inches with specimens to 20+ inches. Found in riffles, pocket water, and pools throughout river. Excellent on dry flies, small spinners, and spoons during summer months. Daily limit: 2 fish over 14 inches (check current regulations). Outstanding warm-season fishing when steelhead slow down. Clear water allows sight-fishing to individual fish.
Resident Cutthroat & Rainbow Trout Year-Round Wild resident cutthroat and rainbow trout present throughout system. Fish average 6-14 inches with occasional larger specimens. Good action during summer when anadromous runs slow. Standard trout techniques work well. Check limits—typically 5 per day but verify current regulations. Release all wild rainbow trout (no adipose clip).

Flow Considerations:
The Calawah is non-glacial and remarkably stable compared to neighboring rivers. Ideal winter steelhead flows: 400-1,500 cfs. Below 300 cfs, fish become extremely spooky in ultra-clear water. Above 1,800 cfs, fishing becomes difficult with heavy current and reduced visibility. Above 2,500 cfs, dangerous and often unfishable.

Clear Water Characteristics:
The Calawah typically maintains exceptional clarity—often 6-8 feet visibility even at moderate flows. This clarity is both advantage (sight-fishing opportunities) and challenge (spooky fish requiring technical presentations). Key strategy: Fish early morning, late evening, or overcast conditions when fish are less wary. Bright mid-day sun in crystal water requires ultra-stealthy approaches.

Storm Response:
The Calawah rises moderately during rain events—typically 500-1,000 cfs increases within 12-24 hours (less dramatic than glacier-fed neighbors). It clears relatively quickly, typically returning to fishable conditions within 2-3 days after storms end. This quick clearing time creates excellent fishing windows—target the river as flows drop from 1,500-2,000 cfs down to 600-1,000 cfs with clearing water.

Monitoring Flows:
Check USGS gauge #12043000 (Calawah River near Forks, WA) daily before trips. Sweet spot: Flows of 600-1,200 cfs with clearing water (1-4 feet visibility). Optimal window: River dropping from elevated flows (1,800+ cfs) down to 800-1,200 cfs range—fish are aggressive during drops.

Water Temperature:
Winter water temps typically range 38-46°F. Steelhead are most aggressive at 42-50°F. Summer temps reach 50-60°F, which can stress fish—focus on fast, oxygenated water during warmest periods. Best summer fishing: Morning and evening when temps are coolest.

Best Fishing Windows:

🎯 Mastering the Calawah: Advanced Techniques

The Calawah's crystal-clear water, technical pocket water character, spooky wild fish, and challenging hydraulics require specialized approaches. 2024-25 regulations prohibit bait, requiring focus on jigs, beads, flies, and hardware designed for technical stealth presentations. Success on the Calawah demands advanced skills—this is not beginner water.

🎣 Technique #1: Precision Pocket Water Jig Fishing

Overview
The Calawah is pocket water perfection—every boulder creates holding water, every seam between current speeds holds fish, every plunge pool offers opportunities. But unlike moderate-clarity rivers where you can get away with imperfect presentations, the Calawah's gin-clear water demands surgical precision. Jig fishing excels because jigs sink fast, fish vertically through tight lies, and can be presented with pinpoint accuracy into specific pockets where you can often see fish holding.

When to Deploy This Technique

Tackle Setup for Clear Water

Best Jigs for Crystal-Clear Calawah:

Ultra-Clear Conditions (6-8+ feet visibility):

  1. Natural Marabou Jigs: 1/16-1/8 oz in black, purple, brown, olive
  2. Translucent Soft Plastics: 2-3 inch worms in smoke, purple, natural colors
  3. Sparse Yarn Jigs: Minimal profile, natural movement

Moderate Clarity (3-6 feet):

  1. Marabou Jigs: 1/8-3/16 oz in pink, cerise, purple
  2. Soft Plastic Combinations: 3 inch worms in pink, orange, chartreuse
  3. Tipped Jigs: Add Berkley Gulp! Maggots for scent attraction

Color Selection Strategy:

The Technique: Step-by-Step Clear Water Approach

1. Reading Calawah's Technical Pocket Water

Every subtle feature creates holding lies:

Critical Insight for Clear Water:
In the Calawah's exceptional clarity, you can often SEE steelhead before casting. Glass the water carefully from elevated positions. Watch how fish react to natural drift. Adjust techniques based on visible behavior. This sight-fishing advantage is rare on steelhead streams—use it.

2. The Ultra-Stealth Pocket Cast

3. Sight-Fishing Adaptation

When you can see fish in clear water:

4. Crystal Clear Strike Detection

Clear water offers multiple strike indicators:

Hookset Protocol:
With barbless hooks in fast clear water, hooksets must be firm and confident. Two-part set often helps: initial firm lift, then second harder set to drive point home. With lighter jigs and light leaders, don't break fish off with overly aggressive sets.

5. Fighting Trophy Wild Fish in Technical Quarters

20-pound wild steelhead in fast pocket water:

Pro Tips for Calawah Precision Fishing

Jig Weight by Flow and Clarity:

Ultra-Clear Water Tactics:

Advanced Pocket Water Strategy:

Common Mistakes (Avoid These):

🎣 Technique #2: Swinging Flies in the Calawah's Clear Runs

Overview
While the Calawah is known for challenging pocket water, certain sections—particularly the lower river tail-outs, broader runs, and gravel bar glides—offer excellent swinging opportunities. Swinging flies through the Calawah's clear water requires different tactics than murky big rivers: smaller flies, lighter tips, longer leaders, and ultra-clean presentations. This technique produces explosive visual strikes and is THE method for aggressive summer steelhead.

When to Deploy This Technique

Fly Fishing Setup for Technical Clear Water

Single-Hand Setup (Optimal for Calawah's Size):

Switch Rod Setup:

Spinning Setup for Hardware:

Best Flies for Crystal-Clear Calawah

Winter Patterns (Clear Water Focus):

  1. Small Sparse Intruders: 2-3 inches in black/purple, purple/pink, natural colors
  2. Egg-Sucking Leeches: 2-3 inches, minimal materials, black or purple
  3. Woolly Buggers: Black, purple, brown (size 6-8)—classic and effective
  4. Traditional Spey Flies: Purple Peril, Green Butt Skunk (size 6-8)

Summer Patterns (The Glory Season):

  1. Surface Flies (TOP CHOICE): Bombers, wakers, surface bugs (size 6-8)
  2. Dry Flies: Large stimulators, Chubby Chernobyls (size 6-10)
  3. Small Sparsely Dressed Intruders: 2 inches, subdued colors
  4. Soft Hackles: Partridge and orange, partridge and purple (size 8-10)

Hardware for Clear Water:

  1. Blue Fox Pixee: Size 2-3 in silver/blue
  2. Little Cleo: 1/8-1/4 oz in silver, copper
  3. Mepps Aglia: Size 2-3 in silver, brass (smaller than typical)
  4. Panther Martin: Size 2-3 in various colors

The Technique: Step-by-Step Clear Water Swing

1. The Calawah Swing—Technical Clear Water Adaptation

Unlike big water swinging:

2. Clear Water Presentation Adjustments

The Calawah demands modifications:

3. The Golden Rule: DO NOT SET THE HOOK

Critical for fly fishing:

4. Step-Down Coverage

5. Summer Steelhead Surface Glory

The Calawah's summer steelhead are surface-fly addicts:

Pro Tips for Calawah Fly Fishing

Fly Size by Conditions:

Sink Tip Selection (When Needed):

Color/Pattern Selection:

When Swinging Dominates Calawah:

Advanced Clear Water Tactics:

Common Mistakes:

🎣 Technique #3: Float Fishing with Beads (High-Stealth Clear Water)

Overview
Float fishing with beads has become devastatingly effective on clear-water technical streams like the Calawah, particularly after bait prohibitions. By suspending beads at precise depths under a float, anglers achieve drag-free drifts through pockets and runs while keeping terminal tackle away from spooky fish. In the Calawah's crystal water, this technique allows extended drifts with natural presentations that wild fish can't resist.

When to Deploy This Technique

Tackle Setup for Clear Water Stealth

Centerpin Setup (Optimal):

Spinning Setup:

Best Beads for Ultra-Clear Calawah:

Crystal-Clear Conditions (6-8+ feet visibility):

  1. Small Natural Beads: 8-10mm in pale pink, peach, light orange, cream
  2. Soft Beads: More natural appearance than hard plastic
  3. Matte Finish: Avoids unnatural flash in clear water
  4. Natural Color Dominance: Subtle over bright

Moderate Clarity (3-6 feet):

  1. Medium Beads: 10-12mm in pink, orange, peach
  2. Standard Colors: Pink, orange, cerise work well
  3. Can Use Semi-Gloss: Not ultra-matte necessary

Stained Water (1-3 feet—rare on Calawah):

  1. Larger Beads: 12-14mm in hot pink, chartreuse, flame
  2. Glow Beads: 10-12mm—charge with LED flashlight
  3. High-Vis Colors: When clarity drops after storms

The Technique: Step-by-Step Clear Water Float Fishing

1. Precise Depth Setting for Clear Water

Depth is EVERYTHING in clear water:

2. Ultra-Stealth Clear Water Bead Rigging

Standard Setup:

Free-Sliding Bead (Advanced Clear Water):

3. The Perfect Clear Water Float Drift

4. Strike Detection and Hookset

Visual float fishing strikes are obvious:

Hookset for Clear Water:
Firm downstream sweep of rod. With lighter leaders and barbless hooks, hooksets must be solid but not violent. Two-part set often helps: initial firm sweep, then second harder pull to bury point.

5. Targeting Specific Calawah Lies

Best water for float technique:

Float fishing struggles in:

Pro Tips for Calawah Float Fishing

Float Selection by Flow:

Shot Pattern for Clear Water Stealth:

Bead Selection by Clarity:

Ultra-Clear (6-8+ feet):

Moderate (3-6 feet):

Stained (1-3 feet—after rare storm):

Advanced Clear Water Tactics:

When Float Fishing Dominates:

Clear Water Stealth Tips:

Common Mistakes:

🧭 Where to Fish on the Calawah River

The Calawah's three distinct sections each offer completely different experiences, access requirements, and fishing opportunities. Success requires matching your skills, equipment, and goals to the appropriate section.

Lower Calawah (Highway 101 Bridge to Bogachiel Confluence)

Character: Most accessible section with boat launch, parking, and bank access. Offers beautiful tail-outs, long classic runs, and the productive confluence with the Bogachiel River. Moderate gradient with mix of pocket water and broad runs. This section sees highest fishing pressure but still offers excellent opportunities.

Access Points:

Fishing Characteristics:

Best For: Anglers seeking easier access, boat fishing opportunities, varied water types. Ideal for visiting anglers without local knowledge or 4WD vehicles.

Techniques: All techniques work—jigs, flies, floats, hardware. Swinging particularly effective in broader tail-outs.

Middle Calawah (Highway 101 Bridge to Forks Area)

Character: Moderate access section offering excellent pocket water, runs, and technical water with significantly less pressure than lower river. Requires navigating La Push Road and finding limited pullouts. Bank access requires short walks in many areas.

Access:

Fishing Characteristics:

Best For: Experienced anglers seeking technical challenge, lower pressure, focus on wild fish. Those willing to hike a bit for solitude.

Techniques: Jigs for pocket water, flies for runs, floats for deeper sections. Technical skills essential—this is skilled angler water.

Upper Calawah (Forks to Forks of North/South Calawah)

Character: Remote, challenging, wilderness fishing requiring Forest Service road navigation, possible hiking, and expert whitewater skills if floating. Features spectacular pocket water, the infamous "Hell's Half Mile" rapid section, and lowest fishing pressure on entire river. Closes February 28 annually.

Access:

Fishing Characteristics:

Best For: Expert anglers seeking wilderness experience, solitude, technical challenge. Those with proper vehicles, wilderness skills, and self-sufficiency. Advanced whitewater rafters/kayakers only if floating.

Techniques: Technical jig fishing dominates pocket water. Some fly fishing opportunities in broader sections. Float fishing in deeper pools. This is advanced, technical, wilderness fishing.

Important Access and Safety Notes

Vehicle Requirements:

Fishing Regulations by Section:

Services and Facilities:

Safety Considerations:

Fishing Pressure Patterns:

🧭 Summary

The Calawah River stands as one of the Olympic Peninsula's most technically demanding and rewarding steelhead streams—a 31-mile ribbon of crystal-clear water flowing through virgin forest from the Olympic foothills to its confluence with the Bogachiel River. For experienced anglers seeking technical challenges, trophy wild steelhead, and the kind of precise, sight-fishing opportunities rare on West Coast steelhead streams, the Calawah represents the ultimate testing ground.

What distinguishes the Calawah from every other Olympic Peninsula river is its crystal-clear water clarity. While neighbors like the Bogachiel, Hoh, and Sol Duc run with varying degrees of color, the Calawah typically maintains 6-8 feet visibility—allowing sight-fishing to individual steelhead holding in specific lies. This exceptional clarity transforms steelhead fishing into a visual chess match: you can see fish, watch their reactions, adjust presentations based on behavior, and experience the heart-stopping moment when a chrome 20-pounder tilts up to intercept your offering. But this clarity cuts both ways—fish are spooky, leader-shy, and demand absolute precision in every aspect of presentation.

Three Rivers, Three Personalities: The Calawah's three distinct sections offer completely different experiences. The upper section (closing February 28) provides wilderness pocket water requiring expert navigation through Class III+ whitewater including the infamous Hell's Half Mile. The middle section offers technical runs and pocket water with moderate access and low pressure. The lower section (below Highway 101) allows boat fishing and provides easier access to beautiful tail-outs, long runs, and the productive Bogachiel confluence—at the cost of moderate fishing pressure.

The Trophy Fish Factor: The Calawah has earned its reputation for producing massive wild steelhead. Late-season wild fish (February-March) regularly exceed 20 pounds, with specimens to 25+ pounds caught annually. These aren't post-spawn dark fish—these are chrome-bright double-striped bruisers in peak condition, perfectly adapted to the river's fast pocket water. Early season (December-January) offers harvest opportunities for hatchery fish, while late season focuses on catch-and-release for trophy wild fish. One river, both harvest and premium wild fish experiences.

Technical Mastery Required: The Calawah rewards advanced skills and punishes mediocrity. Crystal-clear water demands long leaders, light tippets, natural presentations, and absolute stealth. Technical pocket water requires surgical casting precision—15-25 foot accurate casts into specific lies rather than 70-foot hope-casts. Wild fish in clear water won't tolerate clumsy approaches, heavy footfalls, or imperfect presentations. This river builds elite steelheading skills precisely because it's so unforgiving.

2024-25 Regulations: Season: December 2, 2024 - March 31, 2025 (upper section closes February 28). Selective gear rules: no bait, no scent, single-point barbless hooks only. Daily limit: 2 hatchery steelhead (must show healed adipose fin clip). ALL wild steelhead must be released immediately without removing fully from water. Boat fishing: ALLOWED below Highway 101 bridge; PROHIBITED above Highway 101 bridge and on South Fork (boats for transport only).

Techniques for Success: Master technical pocket water jig fishing for precise presentations into tight lies visible in clear water. Learn to swing flies through tail-outs and runs for explosive strikes, especially targeting summer steelhead with surface flies. Perfect float fishing with beads for drag-free presentations in deeper water when fish are selective. Each technique has critical applications on this diverse river, and mastering all three maximizes success.

Ideal Flows and Timing: The Calawah fishes best at 600-1,200 cfs with 2-6 feet visibility. Check USGS gauge #12043000 daily. Target periods when flows drop from elevated levels (1,800+ cfs) down into the 800-1,200 cfs range with clearing water—fish become aggressive during these dropping flow windows. The river's non-glacial character means it clears faster than neighbors, extending fishable windows significantly.

Best Fishing Windows:

Who Should Fish the Calawah:

Who Should Avoid the Calawah:

For the right angler—experienced, technically skilled, patient, and appreciative of wilderness aesthetics—the Calawah River offers one of Washington's most rewarding steelhead experiences. The moment you hook a 22-pound wild steelhead in a crystalline pocket after watching it tilt up to take your perfectly drifted jig from 15 feet away, surrounded by 200-foot Sitka spruce and complete solitude, you'll understand why dedicated steelheaders consider the Calawah a proving ground and a privilege.

This is technical steelheading at its finest: challenging, visual, precise, and utterly addictive.

Website: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Location: Olympic Peninsula, Washington (tributary of Bogachiel River, west of Forks)
Fishing Type: Year-round river (winter/summer seasons); shore access and boat fishing (below Hwy 101 only)
Access: Easy (lower section) to Moderate/Difficult (upper sections)
Target Species: Winter Steelhead (wild & hatchery), Summer Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Chum Salmon, Sea-Run Cutthroat Trout, Resident Trout
Regulations: WDFW Fishing Regulations | Emergency Rules
Services: Forks, WA (full services); Three Rivers Resort (cabins, camping, guide services)
Flow Information: USGS Gauge #12043000 (Calawah River near Forks, WA)
Emergency: Forks hospital; limited cell service on river; inform others of plans

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Topics
#steelhead #coho salmon #chinook salmon #cutthroat trout

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