Be advised that a drift boat went down on the East Fork of the Satsop just below the Schafer Pk bridge on New Years eve. Thankfully, all anglers (3?) managed to get to shore safely. The boat is buried in the middle of the river and does not currently pose a hazard to other boaters coming thru. It happened below the hole where the river takes a hard left soon after the Schafer Pk Bridge and before Decker Cr. Caution is advised in this section due to low overhanging trees and split channels with large rod wads. Apparently, they made the decision (or were forced by not staying to the far side of the hole) to take the left channel. Although the left channel appears to be the main channel, it heads down directly into a very large low hanging tree and the riffle is too thin (even on high water) to navigate away from it. With 3 people it would be all the more difficult to avoid. Be sure to take the right (high) side coming out of this hole.

As we floated by, soon after it happened, we were soberly reminded of the power and danger of the rivers we fish. Although the Satsop is not considered a technically advanced float, she, and all other rivers we fish, DEMAND THE RESPECT THEY ARE DUE, aside from the degree of difficulty we assign them. The Satsop may have taken a boat this time but thankfully we are all reminded once again to be very careful out there without having had to pay the very dear price of a lost life.

Be safe and live to fish another day.