Hoh River
Upper River
Jefferson County, Washington
Open live forecast →Target species: Steelhead.
Stream gauge: 12041200. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
Flow at 846 cfs puts the upper Hoh right in prime summer condition for wild cutthroat in Olympic National Park's wilderness sections. Cool temps in the mid-50s with scattered showers are ideal for these rainforest natives. No recent shop intel — outlook based on current conditions. With water temps likely in the low-to-mid 50s, terrestrials and attractor dries should be productive during any dry spells between passing showers. The consistent flow means excellent access to backcountry pools.
- Flow: 846 cfs — textbook summer level for upper wilderness sections. Stable flow provides excellent access to remote pools and runs.
- Hatches: Cool rainforest temps favor terrestrial action. Elk Hair Caddis and Stimulators during breaks, soft hackles subsurface.
- Water Temp: Likely 50-54°F given air temps. Perfect for active cutthroat feeding without thermal stress in shaded forest pools.
- Best Window: Midday during dry spells between showers. Early morning before weather moves in could be prime.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: Dec–Apr (winter steelhead); July–Aug (summer steelhead)
The Hoh River on Washington's Olympic Peninsula drains the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park — supporting wild winter steelhead, summer steelhead, and salmon runs through one of the most dramatic temperate rainforest settings in North America. The river is wide, glacial-fed, and turns mineral-blue with summer melt. The wild winter steelhead fishery is among the last self-sustaining runs in the lower 48 and is managed under strict catch-and-release regulations. The setting — old-growth Sitka spruce, moss-draped maple, and ferns — is unmatched in American fly fishing.
The Hoh drains the Hoh Rainforest — one of the largest temperate rainforests in the Western Hemisphere — and the river's glacial source means it runs ice-blue through summer when most coastal rivers run low and clear.
Recommended Flies — Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
The Hoh River on Washington's Olympic Peninsula is a wild and remote steelhead destination. Wild winter steelhead in the Hoh are genetically distinct Olympic Peninsula fish, smaller than coastal Washington rivers but powerful and aggressive. The old-growth rainforest setting is unmatched.
Productive Patterns
- Hoh Bo Spey #4–8
- Intruder #4
- GP Spey #4–8
- Dec Caddis Spey #4–8
Technique
The Hoh requires timing — fish on dropping water after rain events. Swing large flies through the runs. The park boundary offers the best wild fish habitat but limited access. The lower river around the park boundary has the most angler pressure.
Seasonal Notes
Wild winter steelhead enter the Hoh from the Pacific in late November. Peak fishing is January–February. The upper river within Olympic National Park offers wild steelhead in a pristine setting. Heavy nymphs in cold, high water conditions when swinging isn't productive.
January Outlook
The Hoh River on the Olympic Peninsula offers winter steelhead in the world's most lush temperate rainforest. Wild winter steelhead enter the river from November through March.
Productive Patterns
- Winter Spey Fly
- Egg Sucking Leech
- Intruder
- Purple Marabou Spey
Tips
The Hoh is a small to medium river that requires shorter spey casts than the Skagit. The Olympic Peninsula receives enormous rainfall — expect the river to fluctuate. The fly-fishing-only section above the campground is prime.
Water Notes
1,000–5,000 cfs — highly variable with rainfall. Water 38–46°F. The Hoh rises and falls quickly with Olympic rainfall. Monitor conditions carefully.
February Outlook
February winter steelhead peak on the Hoh. The most visited month for Olympic Peninsula steelheaders.
Productive Patterns
- Winter Spey Fly
- Egg Pattern
- Woolly Bugger
- Intruder
Tips
The Hoh's winter steelhead are wild, strong, and the reason anglers travel from around the world to the Olympic Peninsula. Fish 4–6 inches below the surface with a floating line or light sink-tip.
Water Notes
Variable 800–4,000 cfs. Water 40–48°F. The rainfall and river variability is part of the Olympic experience.
March Outlook
Final month of peak winter steelhead before the run winds down. Late-season fresh fish are bright silver and powerful.
Productive Patterns
- Spey Fly
- Marabou
- Egg
- Soft Hackle
Tips
March steelhead on the Hoh are often the freshest of the run — chrome-bright fish that have just entered the river. Watch for spawning-colored fish and leave them undisturbed.
Water Notes
Variable flows. Water 42–50°F. Season closing down for winter run.
April Outlook
Spring on the Hoh with spring Chinook entering the lower river and resident cutthroat trout becoming active in the national park sections. The rainforest is in its fullest spring glory.
Productive Patterns
- Spring Chinook Streamer
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Stonefly Nymph
- Soft Hackle
Tips
April transitions from winter steelhead to spring salmon on the lower Hoh. The upper river in Olympic National Park holds cutthroat trout and is accessible from the visitor center road. The lower river below the park supports spring Chinook.
Water Notes
2,000–8,000 cfs — high spring flows from Cascade snowmelt. Water 46–52°F. Glacially influenced. Monitor flow conditions carefully.
May Outlook
Spring Chinook peak on the lower Hoh. Resident cutthroat fishing in the upper sections as flows begin to moderate. The Olympic rainforest is intensely lush in May.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Stimulator
- Stonefly Nymph
- Soft Hackle
Tips
The upper Hoh through Olympic National Park is one of the finest wilderness cutthroat rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The Hall of Mosses area near the visitor center provides a stunning backdrop for day-trip fishing.
Water Notes
1,500–5,000 cfs. Water 48–56°F. Spring flows from snowmelt. Upper river cutthroat becoming accessible as flows drop.
June Outlook
Summer resident fishing in the upper Hoh. Olympic National Park's wilderness sections hold wild cutthroat in pristine rainforest habitat. The lower Hoh is accessible for resident trout between salmon runs.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Royal Wulff
- Stimulator
- Soft Hackle
Tips
The upper Hoh in Olympic National Park is a bucket-list experience — wild cutthroat in virgin rainforest with old-growth Sitka spruce and western red cedar towering overhead. Access the upper sections from the Hoh Visitor Center.
Water Notes
800–2,500 cfs. Water 50–58°F. Summer conditions. The upper river in the national park is wilderness — multi-day backpacking trips access the finest water.
July Outlook
Summer wild cutthroat trout season in the Olympic National Park sections of the Hoh. The lower reaches produce fishing for sea-run cutthroat as summer runs begin.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Stimulator
- Royal Wulff
- Hopper
Tips
July resident cutthroat fishing on the Hoh in the national park is excellent. Day trips from the visitor center access productive sections. Sea-run cutthroat begin appearing in the lower river in late July.
Water Notes
500–1,800 cfs. Water 52–62°F. Good summer conditions. The rainforest setting is spectacular even without steelhead.
August Outlook
Late summer on the Hoh brings sea-run cutthroat into the lower sections. Resident cutthroat continue in the upper park sections. Pink salmon run in even-numbered years.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Sea-Run Cutthroat Streamer
- Pink Salmon Fly (even years)
- Soft Hackle
Tips
August sea-run cutthroat in the tidal sections of the lower Hoh can be excellent. Pink salmon years bring a bonus species. The upper national park fishing continues for residents. This is the transition month to fall.
Water Notes
400–1,500 cfs. Water 54–62°F. Sea-run cutthroat in lower sections. Pink salmon in even years. Upper park cutthroat fishing.
September Outlook
Early fall on the Hoh. Coho salmon begin entering the lower river. Resident cutthroat and Dolly Varden active throughout. The rainforest is beginning its fall transition.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Coho Streamer
- Egg Pattern
- Soft Hackle
Tips
September is the beginning of the Hoh's fall salmon season. Coho enter the lower river and can be taken on swung flies. The upper sections continue for resident cutthroat. The park campground sections receive increasing angler attention.
Water Notes
600–2,000 cfs. Water 50–58°F. Coho entering lower river. Upper park fishing excellent for residents.
October Outlook
Fall Chinook and early coho salmon runs on the Hoh. The river takes on a different character with salmon.
Productive Patterns
- Streamer
- Egg Pattern
- Pink Worm
- Soft Hackle
Tips
Fall salmon runs make the Hoh a different experience than winter steelhead. Coho can be taken on swung flies. The lower river below the park boundary is the most productive for salmon.
Water Notes
Variable 1,500–6,000 cfs. Water 48–56°F. Fall Chinook and coho enter the river. Check for current salmon regulations.
November Outlook
November brings the first winter steelhead into the Hoh. Fresh fish from the Pacific hold in the lower sections. The Olympic Peninsula storms intensify — expect high water.
Productive Patterns
- Winter Spey Fly
- Intruder
- Egg Sucking Leech
- Marabou Spey
Tips
The Hoh's winter steelhead season begins in November. Fresh-from-the-ocean fish are the prize. The lower river below the park boundary is the first productive section. Monitor the USGS gauge at Forks — the river can spike dramatically with rainfall.
Water Notes
Variable 1,500–7,000 cfs. Water 42–50°F. Winter steelhead season beginning. Olympic Peninsula receives extraordinary rainfall — river levels highly variable.
December Outlook
December peak winter steelhead season on the Hoh. The Olympic rainforest in winter is dramatic and primordial. Fresh steelhead throughout the lower and middle sections.
Productive Patterns
- Winter Intruder
- Purple Spey
- Egg Sucking Leech
- Marabou Spey
Tips
December on the Hoh is the best month for fresh winter steelhead numbers. The fly-only section above the campground holds fish that have moved up from the lower river. Choose days between storm systems when flows are dropping.
Water Notes
Variable 1,500–8,000 cfs. Water 40–48°F. Peak winter steelhead season. High variability with Olympic Peninsula rainfall.
Access & Approach
Forks, WA is the primary base. Washington fishing license + catch record card required. Olympic National Park boundary affects regulations on upper river. Check current WDFW rules — wild steelhead regulations are subject to change.
Regulations & License
Fishing in Washington requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Washington fishing regulations & license →
Nearby Waters
Closest Waters
More in This Region
About Current
Hoh River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Hoh River is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
Open the live forecast for today's numbers and the 7-day outlook, or download the iOS app to carry it with you on the water.