So does that go for the people rowing too?
Also 40hp jet isn't much, I have a 16ft sled with a 90hp and wouldn't think of having anything less on it.

FWIW I don't blame the landowners along the Satsop for the bank raveling, but they ARE a part of the problem. I understand that the knowledge and regulations for river margins were not in place when those farms were built. The timber companies are also riverside land owners, and the blame falls on them as well. But we all, already knew that stuff.

Also, FWIW I wouldn't have a problem restricting sleds below the forks. I run a sled but I live close. If I show up one day and determine the fish are not in the mainstem, I can just go home and come back the next day, or even later on in my drifter. I still get a weird feeling running up the e. fork in a sled.

What would be some good ideas for the land owners?
We are trying to replant trees and such but any other ideas?

Great idea about stopping at the forks.

East fork......above Torrow Branch....I'd sure agree to that....can't believe that sleds run clear to the "S" corners.

Remember...it all has to do with water height, 25+ feet...should be good to go.

Hatchery fish need to be harvested.....after big rains, there are lot's of fish from the West Fork to Torrow Branch. The access to bank fishermen is very limited so harvest is up to persons that have boats...that's plain and simple.

If there is a better plan to harvest hatchery fish, so that the Wild salmon can increase...please enlighten the readers of this thread!!!!!!

Sleds in the east fork are like putting a battleship in a bathtub.
If then the goal is more fishermen I think there would be way more folks on the river without the sleds. I know quite a few folks who dont float of fish the Satsop because of the sleds.

Now I have to say there are some sled operators who are polite. If any of them are reading this, thanks. You slow down, go behind us or stop and fish below us. You dont run over the hole. That is so cool.

Now how do you Drifter address the silt created by these boats? No problem or problem?
How do you address the small fry that get washed up on the rocks when you go by?
Problem or no problem?

I am all for people fishing the Satsop. Its a beautiful river. I would like to keep it that way.

Treefarmer:

I drove the "loop" yesterday........posted, posted, posted, or No trespassing.....I'd say get the landowers to open areas for the fishermen to have access to the river......Areas like Satsop Rivera, both sides of the river from Torrow branch down, the resource(fish) is there for the fisherpeople of the State, not so much for the select few who have bought land from the West Fork up......then complain when others want to fish a "public river". Does your deed show that you own the river????

The water11/03/10, was at a level that j.boats could safely run, from Mouth to at least Torrow Branch.

Since there is no easy answer to this problem.....and this has been "hashed, over and over for many years.

The Satsop gets used by the general public for about 5 months a year, more so, October - November, then the river traffic is greatly reduced.

Have a good day......

At some point is there any chance you will answer the questions at hand?
Any chance at all?

What I hear is "I dont care what damage I do to the river or the resource".

Thats sad.

I would like to give you my 2 cents. I started fishing the Satsop in 1970.
The fishing was great and the river uncrowded. One year some moron got a hold of KIRO 7 News and let them know just how great fishing was. It has been down hill ever sense.

The Guides in their BIG sleds show up. Yes they have to make a living. Do you really think they care if there 200hp jets cause silt in the river. Do you really think they are going to not earn an income because they may cause silt in the river ?

Now here comes the local Joe in his little 40hp sled. Maybe he runs up the river and drifts down. He goes around the Bankie and gives the right away to the Driftboat. Where is the harm ? Maybe dropping an anchor from a drift boat could damage the spawning grounds or kill s smolt.

The bottom line is everyone has a right to use this river. Guides, Joes,Bankie etc.. And nothing is going to change that. Thats the way it is. If you think the Satsop is bad Check the Nooch out during Steehead season. You will see hundreds of boats and people destroying the enviorment. What you going to do ????

Treefarmer:

1. Take your camera.....go down to the river....when a sled goes by that washes a bunch of fry up on the rock........video Tape that.....should be able to "kill 2 bird with one stone"......see all the fry in the rocks and show all the mud/silt that the boat just caused.

2. I've spent 100's of hours working to enhance the runs of fish in the Satsop........Check with Stormy sometime, about the ponds that were dug filled with water and then used to "rear searun cutthoat", or the brood stocking of Chinook that was done above Sheafer State Park or Satsop Springs, or the 100's of hours of brood stocking wild steelhead, done for the resource.

When you have #1 above done, please share that with all that would care to view it.....make sure it's dated!!!!!

Now tell us what YOU have done for the resource......and what YOU have done to lessen the slit that flows down from the West Fork, Torrow Branch????? Have you in fact contacted any of the timber companies, and had them review the damage they are causing in the lower river?????

I never been aware of any MAJOR problems cause by the sportsman use of the river, never been aware of any log jam, or changing of the river course by the use of boats......If you can document any of this happening, please enlightening us....pictures would be oh so helpful.

I'd say that more silt was torn loose by the Sunday/Monday rain, and rapid rise in the river.....than cause by all the j. boats for years......just that its easier to point the finger at the j. boats.

Still I wish you a good day.....

several years ago, something like 10 or so, there was a push to ban sleds (motors) on the satsop. i don't remember if it was from the forks up or the total river.what came out was that the county had to ban sleds and were the ones that would have to enforce the ban. i think a hearing or two was held and the county turned it down because of the cost to enforce the ban.

No way to end up with the perpetrator footing the bill ?

i think the fairest solution is to just ban fishing from boats. that gets rid of 90% of the sleds, and a lot of boats period, since the only thing people seem to be able to do from a boat any more is side drift.

plenty of gravel bar to fish off of that nobody but the priveleged few that own property can walk to from the road...

Drifter, you really arent much of a thinker are you?
The hwy you use to drive to the launch is a "public" hwy.
Can you do anything you want on it?
(I will answer this question for you).
No you cant. There are speed limits, limits on weight, where you can drive and even which direction you can go. Isnt that something?
I hear tell there is even places you have to pay just to use a bridge.
So just because something is public doesnt mean you can do whatever you want.
Cept on the Satsop. Right now anyone can launch anything, do circles in the river, drive it like a jet-ski up and down and there isnt any limitations to any of it. In most cases it people like you with no respect for the resource.

Guides can make money in a DB much easier than a sled. No cost for fuel.
So we'll leave it at this. You keep running your sled and we'll see what can be changed. We have pictures.
Good day.

You seem like an angry individual. [/quote]

Abu, it does piss me off that anyone has to "watch out" for sleds on the Satsop.
(Drifters words not mine).

Other than that, me angry? Not so much.

I can attest to that, fun day yesterday with you guys, thanks!

I think Drifter & Treefarmer have alot more in common than you might believe. You both seem to love to fish, care about the resource and it's future! No good comes from slamming one another. I have fished the Satsop from the bank with my now grown boys for many, many years. I believe that 95% of the damage to this wonderful river has come from mother nature over the years. I understand the frustration coming from both sides. It would be nice to have a size restriction on sleds because of the size of this river and would be nice if more landowners allowed access to the river. I also know how frustrating it would be to have some bank anglers leaving their garbage all over private property. As usual, a few spoil it for the many on both sides!! Im just saying,we all have a brew together and tone down the retoric! Enjoy your time.

Don