The Olympic Peninsula has many with creeks like these, offering amazing opportunities for steelheaders. The few showcased here are just a sampling of what awaits anglers adventurous enough to seek them out.

The timing for all of these creeks is a December and January run for hatchery steelhead, and February and March for the wild run, though many creeks will close for steelhead on March 1.

Some of the creeks are included among the Olympic Peninsula streams, where anglers are allowed to keep one wild winter steelhead a year.

Lyre River
The Lyre River empties into the Strait of Juan de Fuca about four miles west of Agate Bay. There is camping and access at the Lyre River Campground about a mile north of State Highway 112.

"Fishing near the campground at Lyre River is a little less punishing than fishing some of the other creeks," Zavadlov said. "The best way to fish it is to work your way upstream from the campground."

The river is open to steelhead up to the falls near River Mile 3.

In addition to a limited run of wild steelhead, there's a good run of hatchery fish from an annual planting of about 40,000 early-returning winter steelhead smolts.

The Lyre closes for steelhead angling on March 1.

Pysht River
The Pysht River also empties into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, near Pillar Point. It is planted with about 20,000 hatchery winter steelhead a year.

There's plenty of access along State Highway 112, but to reach the river anglers should expect to have to bust some brush. The Pillar Point Campground is located near the mouth of the river. This is one of the streams where the retention of one wild fish a year is allowed. The river closes for steelhead on March 1.

GO GET 'EM
Western Washington has no shortage of streams like these, and there are plenty of resources available for the angler willing to do a little homework.

The WDFW Web site is an excellent source of information and includes complete statewide stocking and harvest details. Always be sure to check the regulations for each stream before fishing, and don't be afraid to ask landowners for permission to fish a stream.

The WDFW's Ereth offers one last tip for those that want to escape the crowds.

"Go to the Website. Find one river that is close to you, and make that your home river," he said. "Pick up trash when you get permission to fish. Or better yet, offer to do so when you ask. It will get you on the good side of the landowners. Go out and explore the river, but take care of it!"