Does anyone happen to have information (or maps) on boat launches on the lower Nisqually? A buddy and I are thinking about doing a drift on the lower portion of the river. Thanks in advance.

EFC

The only ones I'm aware of are the at the Tank Crossing bridge down from the Red Wind Casino, and a lower launch by the Mounts Road Bridge, both require access passes to Ft. Lewis.

No launch or takout below the Mounts Road Bridge, you would have to taek out there or boat into teh sound.

I also heard that parts of the river are blocked by deadfalls and boats need to be dragged on the beach around them, can confirm for sure though.

Yeah, we thought there might be issues with downed trees and stuff. And we noticed the Ft. Lewis land. But aren't there accessible launches for the public? Thanks!!!

The power house is a public launch..

Not sure where the power house is, I'm not aware of any public launches. I have wanted to float the Nisqually a few times but don't want to mess with the deadheads.

I usually launch at the Mounts road launch during low tide and fish down by the school house, then motor back up at high tide.

If you find any, please share with everyone.


Thanks

Timber,

Where, exactly, is the power house? How do you get there from I-5? And how far do you think the drift is from there to the take-out in the Reserve?

Thanks, big time!

EFC

Shimanoman,

How did you get the permit for access to the Mounts Rd. Launch?

And, what sort of techniques are you employing in the lower river? How large is the motor you use on your boat? You can PM me, if you want to.

Thanks again. If we find a public launch, I'll let you know.

EFC

I have an 8 h.p. kicker on my driftboat, slow but it get's me up river. You can get a permit from the Ft. Lewis main gate visitors center prestty easy.

I have backtolled bait in the lower river but only on a few occasions. Took a couple small kings a few years ago, didn't fish it much last year.


Eastfork: I don't think there is a takeout in the reserve, if there is where exactly is it, I'd like to drift further down river. I was told you would have to go out into the sound and take out at a launch a few miles east. Been down there a few times and never saw a place to pull a boat out.

I heard the run down there is supposed to be good this year, bankers and net in the river a plenty, haven't heard of any catch success yet.

The powerhouse launch is immediately downstream of the Centralia hydro powerhouse on the left bank off Yelm Hwy just outside of Yelm. Launching there, or at the Tank Crossing (Ft. Lewis permit needed) are OK for floating, but not recommended for powerboating. There are, or were, logs or trees across the main channel that make it difficult. The best alternative I know of for lower river jet boating is the private campground just upstream of the handicapp access, where I've seen treaty Indians launch and retrieve boats. I'll add that the Nisqually is a tad small for jet boats.

Sg

The indians run thier sleds along with a few guides that are now working the river with clients with no problems. I have seen them run up river above the private campground that Salmo talked about.

I have heard this river is laden with deadheads especially down below I-5, usually only bank fish it becuase it's close to home.

Would be great if there was a takeout below I-5, some nice sections of river to work between there and Mounts Road.

deadheads- you mean those that follow the greatful dead (the band)?

eastforkchrome or "alterna-chrome" as I call him is drifting with me in an aluminum drift boat. no motor. Thanks for the feedback on all fronts.

I remember 15 years or so ago I watched Nisqually members running a sled just below the Tank Crossing setting drift nets. They'd run the net across the entire river, let it drift down stream, while slapping the water with paddles to spook the fish into the net.

I drifted it one time in the mid 90s from the Tank Crossing to Handicap, but it's such a long drift and had so many woody hazards then that it didn't leave much time for fishing.

chrome demon you might want to throw in a chainsaw

I've only seen some fish hooked on the tide change, down low.

Solo Pt. is just North of the old Powder Warf.. . You need a pass to go there in the saltchuck.

I floated down river from McKenna. Once! There are some nasty rock gardens in that drift and especially when the water is low. That was when one could drive to the tank crossing bridge and cross it then drive up river to what was called combat city and launch there. Been more years than I want to admit.

My understanding is that one can still launch in that area but need a Joint Base Lewis McChord pass and also coordination with the range officer. Yup, believe the road runs through the firing range. Turnaround to recover the vehicle is also something to factor into whether it is all worth the effort.

At that time used to be able to pull a driftboat out at the handicap hole. Haven't checked that out recently. No military issues there so I guess that if one can physically launch at the handicap hole and go from there out to salt water one could avoid any need for a Base pass. Just don't pull over on the military reservation.