Hunting Guide - Fishing Guide

Elk, Bear, Deer, Salmon, King Salmon, Steelhead & More

If you are looking for a great hunting guide or fishing guide, be sure to get to know Ryan Thomas, an expert hunting and fishing guide operating from Forks, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula.

Ryan is a licensed Washington State fishing and hunting guide with energy, expertise and experience in elk hunting, bear hunting, deer hunting and salmon fishing, king salmon fishing & steelhead fishing.

Ryan was born and raised in Forks, Washington on the beautiful, Olympic Peninsula of the State of Washington. He's a second generation guide. Ryan's father, Larry Thomas was a guide for thirty years.

Commenting on his father (professional guide), Ryan said,

"I have huge shoes to fill but I was taught by the best of the best. I have been fishing these rivers since I was able to hold a fishing rod, I caught my first wild steelhead when I was five and first salmon the year before, and have been at it ever since.

Roosevelt Elk I have killed small, big, and huge bulls these are the ultimate trophies. I started hunting elk when I was ten and been successful every year. I love to eat elk there is nothing finer, cooked right its better than prime rib."

Hunting Guide

Hunting Guide: Ryan guides for elk hunting, bear hunting and deer hunting on the Olympic Peninsula and other areas of Washington State. The Olympic Peninsula is famous for its thriving herds of Roosevelt Elk, also known as Olympic elk, is the largest of the four surviving subspecies of elk in North America.

They live in the rain forests of the Pacific Northwest and were introduced to Alaska's Afognak and Raspberry islands in 1928.

The desire to protect the elk was one of the primary driving forces behind the establishment of the Mount Olympus National Monument (later, Olympic National Park) in 1909.

"Black bears are over abundant here, since they outlawed the use of dogs and bait in 1996 these big bruins have multiplied ten times what they were. I hunt these bears in the high country where the berries are thick, - its natural bait for them.

Three day hunts are almost a give me bear, there are more bear in the country I hunt than deer. It's a great season warm beautiful days and if you tag out early in Elk or Bear season we can always fish for some big chrome kings or silvers."

Fishing Guide

Fishing Guide: Ryan Thomas has learned each and every river on the Olympic peninsula like the back of his hand. He is an expert oarsman with both his Willie drift boat and his low water super puma raft. He will take you to the fish or hunt safely and smoothly.

Whether you are looking for Salmon, King Salmon, or those prized Olympic Peninsula Rivers steelhead, Ryan can take you to where the fish are and show you how to catch 'em.

What should you expect when fishing with Ryan Thomas as your guide? He is young and full of life, so you'll be the first on the water every day, because just as "the early bird gets the worm", the first fishermen on the water are the get the first chance to "feed the hungry fish." You don't want a bunch of people who think they know what they are doing splashing their oars on those secret pockets!

Olympic Peninsula Hunting & Fishing

Olympic Peninsula Hunting & Fishing: The Olympic Peninsula of Washington State is home to some of the most sought after sportsmen activities in the U.S.A. This northwest corner of the State of Washington is home to the Olympic National Park with pristine rivers that empty into western Washington's coast, where the Olympic Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.

Roosevelt Elk and black bear are abundant, and the rivers host plentiful runs of steelhead and salmon (both Cohos and Kings).

Licensed Washington State Hunting & Fishing Guide

Licensed Washington State Hunting & Fishing Guide: Ryan Thomas (Thomas Guide Service) is a licensed hunting and fishing guide for the State of Washington. He guides for hunting and fishing on the Olympic Peninsula and hunting on the east side of the state.

Elk, Bear & Deer Hunting

Elk, Bear & Deer Hunting: To hunt these awesome trophy Roosevelt Elk with Ryan on the peninsula and be successful, Ryan stresses the importance of being in good shape, especially archery and muzzle loader seasons.

When the bulls are in rut and when they are rutting he can bed them down at dark and if the moon is out or pressure from other bulls come around, that "big ol boy" may take his harem of cows and go five or ten miles from where you saw them last, "so its go time".

As mentioned earlier, the black bear population is ten times what it was several years ago, mostly due to the outlawing of "baiting" and hunting with hounds. Ryan says he'll almost always bag a bear in a three day Olympic Peninsula black bear hunt.

Salmon, King Salmon, & Steelhead Fishing

Salmon, King Salmon, & Steelhead Fishing: Ready to go on that fishing trip? Ryan will supply all the gear and it will be all of the top of the line rods, reels, lures, lines, - everything is the best you can get in his boat.

Ryan and his gear work together as one to produce the big ones for you: the most beautiful steelhead, coho salmon and king salmon you have ever seen!

You will be comfortable fishing, smooth on the oars and cushioned seats, and even a propane heater in front of you for those wonderful rainy, or snowy Olympic peninsula days.

You'll be kept as comfortable as is humanly possible.

Fishing & Hunting Tips

Salmon, King Salmon, & Steelhead Fishing: Ryan Thomas' Top five things to prepare yourself if you plan on coming up and taking that steelhead or salmon trip of a life time:

1. Be prepared to get wet it does rain a little on the Olympic peninsula, wear layers you can always down grade its pretty tough to put stuff on that you left in your nice warm house. I am a fleece fan and light rain gear you can move better to fight those big ones.

2. Bring your camera so many people forget this priceless thing, pics of your trophies pics of eagles and wildlife that are so beautiful. And put it in a water proof bag even if its water proof.

3. Be on the ball to book your trips the days go fast and the calendar fills up if you want that best day get on it and we'll get you the trophy you want.

4. Don't forget your lunch this is one of the only things I do not provide, and bring a large cooler for your fish to take home.

5. ABSOLUTELY NO BANANAS, BEFORE DURING OR EVEN IN MY BOAT. There is an acid in them that is as bad to fish as sea lion scent.

Good boots are the key it is all about the hunters who want to push just that much harder that much further where the big old rank bulls live. Camo clothing is a must light but waterproof! These elk are known to go from park like timber to the worst swamps in the world and then just hang out, let the games begin! ha ha!

Practice every day especially archery hunters. These are big-boned animals you need the shot to count you need to be able to shoot from a knee or sitting. There is nothing worse than a bad shot I would much rather miss than wound one of these giants of the Olympic peninsula.

Put a good day pack together, A COMPASS, a good sharp knife, orange ribbon, hand warmers, a space blanket, small snacks, extra socks, wind and water proof lighter, and that will about cover it ill have the rest in my pack.

Bring your camera because field photos are the best and you'll never forget anything with pics. Start jogging at least a month before season walk and jog in the woods get used to uneven ground, - the elk don't live on golf courses here ... And book your spot early because there are not many days in our seasons.