While fishing for cuts on the Nasty yesterday in the PM, an MP (military Police) happened by at which time we had an interesting conversation. He informed my that a special usage permit was required from Range Control (located on Fort Lewis) in order to fish on Fort Lewis property where it borders the Nasty). Even those of us with base decals on our vehicles are also required to obtain those usage permits to fish those areas. Most of my fishing has been in the vicinity of Muck Creek, however, since this area is directly down-range of the firing range, I may have more difficulty in obtaining a permit to fish this area in the fall. This new regulation will affect quite a few who fish both upstream and downstream of Mounts Road (in the town of Nisqually) on the East side of the river since that is all Fort Lewis property (Tank Crossing Bridge downstream to the I-5 bridge). What effect this will have on boaters is unknown; probably none as long as their vehicles (with trailers), if parked on Army property, have a special permit on the dashboard in clear view. I have seen nothing on this change in the base newspaper, The Guardian, nor in any other base publication. I'm afraid that the first time many will hear of this is when tickets are issued by the MPs who will attempt strict enforcement. Another can of worms (if I may use that metaphor) that I shouldn't open but will anyway: I bet that you will never see a special usage permit on any of the nisqually tribe's vehicles used to launch their boats to net the river (which has already begun). As I learn more I will post again. Oh, and by the way, the cuts on the Nasty hadn't been too bad this year!!!!!

Thanks for the heads up on that. I was just down there today at lunch doing a recon, and saw half a dozen vehicles, but no permits. And as you indicated, the nets are in already

Go to Range Control. They will not only hook you up with a pass but can answer any questions for you.

The things that you have pointed out are nothing new! They have been in effect ever since I have fished it and that is going on almost 2 decades.

Ask Range Control about the green areas on their map that boarders the river all the way up. I believe those green areas are considered not within the active training area bounderies but still require a dash displayed pass. But then again it has been a few years since I was told that from Range Control.

Within Ft. Lewis things change and or are inforced in a very inconsistent manor! So I would suggest getting the scoop from those who know...Range Control.

FJ...out.

does anyone have the number for the range control, as i will be fishing the nisqually hopefully from the fort lewis side, are they getting fish in the nets yet? **berkley boy**

You have always had to register with range control, no big deal. Been fishing there for years. Not quite as many as FJ though.
And yes they have got a few in the nets.
Peace Superfly

Clarification on my original post: Department of Defense (DoD) personnel and their family members, which include active duty military, retired military, appropriated and non-appropriated fund employees and their immediate family members or two guests of these valid ID card holders with a vehicle having a valid DoD sticker on the windshield have not been required in the past (at least for the past 9 years) to obtain an Area Access Recreational Use Permit for fishing the Nisqually River on Fort Lewis property. For personnel other than what is cited above, that permit has always been required. This I have confirmed many times with the state game worden, the Fort Lewis Military Police, Fort Lewis Range Control, and the Northwest Adventure Center (the hub for outdoor recreation on Fort Lewis). This information is also found in the Fort Lewis Fishing Rules which expires 31 Mar 03.
My concern here is to being recently informed by the Fort Lewis Military Police (who do issue tickets for non-compliance of existing rules) and by Range Control (who are responsible for issuing the use permits to those non-DoD personnel cited above) that the rules have changed. I have been in contact with the Military Police Admin Office, Range Control, and the Northwest Adventure Center, immediately after hearing of this change earlier this week, trying to get a clearer interpretation of the existing rules as soon as possible. When that occurs I will post again.

These regs have been around for as long as I can remember.They have been selectively inforced at times.
But a lot has changed,since 9-11 and the MP's are busy bustin meth labs and trying to keep the low-Lifes from dumping their Garbage on Base.

Good to hear from you B B. ......Os

Hey, speaking of the Nasty, when are we all going to do another meet there. We only did that one as far as I can remeber. No fish but a lot of tall tales and beers bonked. I think it would be nice to see some faces again.

Speaking of nasty and hard core, I went to fish it tonight and the MP's were there in force and were writting citations and had a couple of dudes in cuffs, never seen it like this before.
They have the SS mentality down there for sure, hell you know that is Bin ladens favorite fishing hole !!
So make sure you have your entry pass or the gumbas will get you.
Later Superfly

I have fished the Nisco since 1979 and if memory serves correct (and it might not) I think the range control went into effect around 1984. It used to be you could drive down to the tank crossing from the road going up to yelm. It was a nasty gravel/dirt/mud road, but it wasn't controlled. We used to use it to go in to fish the Kahuna drift or launch at Muck Creek. They gated this off in late '83 or early '84 (I believe) and the only way we could get to the fishing holes then was through the main gate, and then you had to go jump through the range control hoops. At that time, you couldn't fish anywhere on Ft Lewis property without actually going to range control and telling them where you were going to be that day....in addition to having the sticker. Range control didn't open until 6:00 and if you wanted to fish before that....too bad. If the MP's caught you not being checked in for that day, they kicked you off the reservation. So, in the whole scheme of things it sounds like they have actually relaxed their policies from years ago.

BB, Had heard the rumours from other folks as well as this board that this policy has changed as you previously posted. I myself am active duty Air Force and had never had a problem fishing in the areas you listed. When I called range control this morning the specialist on duty told me that the new policy (supposidly in effect since 9/11) is that all folks will be required to have a range permit, regardless of duty status.
Seems kinda silly if you are active duty, but who am I to argue, so I picked my permit up this morning.
Tight Lines
RL

The latest and greatest from Range Control and the Military Police is that the Recreational Use Permit is required on the dashboard and/or on the windshield of all vehicles parked on Fort Lewis property. This includes all vehicles; those with and those without base decals. Reasoning given is due to the increased security measures being employed on the military post. As per Military Police this is a change in policy since 9/11 where, in the past, vehicles with valid base decals did not require the use permits, but do now. Here's the kicker for those who park off Fort Lewis property (along the roadway) and walk onto Fort Lewis property to fish: Range Control will issue, at the same time as the vehicle pass, an Area Access Card to be kept with you at all times while fishing on Fort Lewis property. When the Military Police, who have been employing increased security measures throughout the post and all along the river, ask for your access card, this is what they are looking for, along with your fishing license. And, FJ, you are right, this 'green area' on the Fort Lewis Installation Map runs on the east side of the river from the I-5 bridge all the way up to the Tank Crossing Bridge (the furthest point upstream where salmon can legally be caught) and back downstream on the west side of the river to the nisqually tribe reservation boundary. Let's all get our vehicle pass and access cards now so we can, as Big Jim has mentioned, have another get-together on the river, drink some beer and tell those lies that many of us are so good at!!! Keep those new lines tight.....Tom

Here is one more thing to think about. I have been training bird dogs on post for a few years, so I know about the range permits and I am aware of the most all the rules. So here is one some of you may not know about. There is not suppost to be ANY alcohol. When the MPs were not around there was no problem. But I have heard this from more than a few MPs in the past ( the club I train with is on post almost every weekend)Just thought you would want to know.

ANYONE GOT THE NUMBER FOR THE RANGE CONTROL???

253-967-6277, or 253-967-4686. There ya go...

You didn't to shout, I would have told you anyway.

couldn't get RC to answer at those numbers as of yet...does anyone know how long the passes are good for?? are they one day or can you get them for a season? It's funny because I live on FT Lewis and I still need to get the pass. thanks in advance.

They used to be good for 6 months. They may be good for a year now. I will double check the phone numbers tonight when I get home.

BW, thanks...the numbers are good, finally got someone to answer. They are good for a year. The person I talked too (female) had a hard time figuring out which training area I was talking about so if you have questions refer them to training area 3.

Spoke to a female Specialist at Ft Lewis Range Control. Since there's been this issue of access card or passes while fishing the Nisqually. She qouted Ft Lewis Reg 350-30 Appendix F dated 29 Mar 2000. Paragraph states "For DOD member use only, NO PERMIT other than ID card required". Under this paragraph is a list of rec areas to include "Nisqually River". It also states on paragraph 3 "For non DOD member use, permit required: Chambers Lake and Nisqually River for fishing only." If the MPs are asking DOD members to have an access card it's either Range Control does not have the latest regulation or MPs does not have a copy of the regulation. Who knows. Anyhow, the Specialist faxed me a copy of it and maybe I'll carry it while I enjoy fishing. Who knows

Hit the Nasty early Saturday at zero dark thirty at which time I stolled downstream to the gravel/sand bar just upstream from the I-5 bridge.
I guess I was a ready-Freddie for the kings for I had 1) a Fort Lewis base decal on my windshield, 2) a Fort Lewis Vehicle Access Pass on my dashboard, 3) a Fort Lewis Range Control Area Access Card in my wallet next to, 4) my Combination Fishing License. I agree that the requirements for fishing the river (promulgated by the Military Police) do not agree with the current base instructions (promulgated by Northwest Adventure Center), however, the MPs are the ones controlling access to the river so we will comply; and wait for the regulations to play catch-up.
Fished the same holes with a most considerate friendly fellow in a sharp looking blue boat with a jet mounted aft. We seen the fish but they were blind to our offerings. Take care of that pulled digit and will see you on the river again.....Tom