Spate · Sedimentary · Washington, US

Sol Duc River

Sol Duc River
Prime · Steelhead
Intruder (black/blue, pink/orange) · 12–16
Primelive now
About as good as it gets
Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
90% confidence
What moved it
  • LevelDry recentlyNo gauge reading
  • Water temp11.2°C
  • ClarityClear
Today's fly
Intruder (black/blue, pink/orange)
Intruder (black/blue, pink/orange)12–16
A dependable searching pattern for these waters.
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp11.2°C
ClarityClear
Weather9°C
WindSW 12 km/h
Pressure1022 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm
Rain · ahead0.4 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Water temperature for Steelhead
Ideal
11°C est.ideal 4–13°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for Steelhead
When
Winter Dec–Apr on the drop; a thin wild summer-steelhead window in the warmer months. Clears faster than the Hoh/Queets.
Where
The Sol Duc is the quick one.
Why this works
Excellent — conditions well-balanced, with water temperature particularly in your favour.
Likely species
Mayflies
Chironomids
Gammarids
Hatch timeline · todayPeak at 11 Uhr

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 7 active hatches hour by hour as a supporter.

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Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

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Evidence
Records-basedModerate confidence

Based on species-occurrence records, not local invertebrate surveys.

Through the year
0–3 scale · October highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
SalmonflyHatch
2
3
2
Golden StoneHatch
2
3
2
SkwalaHatch
2
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Fly box · Steelhead
MT
Marabou Tube
8–10 · Salmon fly
Swing it through the holding lie at a steady pace.
LW
Low-water sparse wet (summer)
12–16 · Fly
A dependable searching pattern for these waters.
RS
Rabbit-strip Leech
12–16 · Fly
A dependable searching pattern for these waters.
Local fly shops: Red's Fly Shop·Gorge Fly Shop
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • WDFW coastal steelhead rules (2025-26 permanent set): release wild steelhead/rainbow/cutthroat, no removal of wild steelhead from water, 2 hatchery/day, ~Dec 1–Mar 31
  • Frequent emergency changes; tribal co-management
  • Verify before every trip.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 3
Bogachiel River
10 km
Steelhead · Chinook salmon · Coho salmon
Hoh River
22 km
85
Steelhead · Chinook salmon · Coho salmon
Queets River
50 km
85
Steelhead · Chinook salmon · Coho salmon
Gallery · 2
  1. Sol Duc River
    Sol Duc River
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Conservation note

Olympic Peninsula wild steelhead are NOT ESA-listed (NOAA 'not warranted', Jan 2026) but are managed conservation-first. The Sol Duc carries the system's most notable wild summer-steelhead component as well as winter fish — handle them with extra care. Release wild steelhead without lifting them from the water; single barbless where required; stay off redds. Co-managed with the treaty tribes. Chinook, coho and sea-run cutthroat present by season.

Why this score · for Steelhead
  • Temperature10028% weight
  • Flow8022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time6513% weight
  • Pressure757% weight
  • Insect activity6712% weight
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 January → 31 December
Related guides
Euro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Booking & contacts