This is pretty sad. Perhaps we can get a work crew up and contact Harris? We had some successful clean ups on the Calawah years ago.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/wildlife_weekly/

Rayonier Fishing Access: Biologist Harris was contacted by Rayonier timberlands staff for assistance on fishing access in the Forks Area. Due to dumping and littering, they were basically forced to close access to a popular fishing area known as the Forks Hole last spring. They have been receiving calls from the public to re-open and Harris discussed the proposition with local Rayonier staff. Due to the importance of the area, Rayonier is willing to re-open if the garbage is cleaned up and the area maintained. WDFW and Rayonier agreed that motorized access to the area is reasonable during the winter steelhead run, but it was also determined other times of the year it is a reasonable walk and because of its location would be subject to more public abuse. Harris will attempt to work with local volunteers to clean up and maintain the area. If users fail to keep area clean, then motorized access will once again be denied. More to come on this issue as a maintenance plan is developed.

I was planning on heading out that way Jan 2 - 5, but this kind of sets me back a bit. Any body got an open seat?

Never had that kind of problem when I grew up out there back in the early 60's, we would get our asses kicked (grandfather) if we left anything on the bank or in the river.

We got the diversion dam access on the Nooch re-opened by having a few cleanups a d having my DU chapter sponsor the area. Still open.

Thanks Dogfish, I have spent many happy hours there, caught a few fish as well in the past, mostly driftb oating it these days

Absolutely welcome.

pretty sad to see what few drive-in areas we have left getting trashed they way they do.

i took a drive into a different forks hole(on the humptulips) this summer, after the gate was finally re-opened. couldn't have been open for more than a week or so, and the place was an absolute garbage dump. disgusting.

The tough part is that it takes constant vigilance to keep it clean and open, and only one or two bad acts of dumping to get it closed.

I can't blame Rayonier for it...if folks left my property looking like the areas, especially around hatcheries, where fishermen spend time I'd close it, post it, and probably stand guard with firearms, too, to keep the slobs out.

We have to police ourselves on this, just like we have to do on every other aspect of sportfishing...saying "it's just a few bad apples" doesn't work, the public perceives us all by what they see, and when they see fishing garbage left around they see all of us as the culprits.

Fish on...

Todd

i doubt it's the occasional bait container or ball of mono that's shutting down the roads out there. it certainly isn't the out of town fishermen either.

you can see it right at locked gates. appliances, household garbage, yard waste, butchered elk, etc. it is the local slobs that are [Bleeeeep!] it up for everybody else.

it sucks for the mobility impaired, but i am just glad they still allow walk in access to their land... although all the 4 wheelers are not helping our case even if i like following their paths sometimes.

I guess you are talking about the Tall Timbers hole at the mouth of the Calawah? Blue gate. Thats really too bad. I love that spot. Very few good access spots on the Bog. That one is prob the best. Nice long drift. I have heard in years past they closed it before due to the same issue. I heard one time somebody dumped some junk cars there. I doubt its fishermen that caused the problem. Prob some of the local meth heads.

Years ago I used to tent camp on the beach there. Cooked steelhead over the fire. Few fishermen back then. no gate and access was further down the road. Days gone by.

One thing that you all need to keep in mind is that rayonier is slowly trying to stop giving free access and wants to lease it fishing and hunting rights to sportsman so they can make some more money............its very preelant her in the harbor area , they contacted me about a certain place I had talked to one of there foresters about and the land guy called me and our conversation went something like this.... I do like lease xyz, so how much is it for a year ? wow, that much...........ok if I am paying that much then you guys will put a gate there and I will hae the only key and sportsmans access for lease xyz right ?............Yes..........and you guys will provide policing of that area to make sure no one else is using lease xyz............NO, we are not security or police we are just a timber company..............then what about a gate to keep the others out who have not paid............its on the list for future installation.................when............I am not sure...........hey good by and thanks for wasting my time you morons.............its not looking good for us sportsman on rayonier lands in the future......

Peace
Fly

New one day it would come to this. Pay to fish, pay for access. Only the wealthy elete get to fish on the few remaining open rivers/streams that have sorry numbers anyway. Just like in the UK and soon to come in BC...oh that's right the "Dean" is already that way. Don't mean to rant, but having a hard time with the fact this is coming faster than I would have guessed? Gone will be the days of like myself, riding my bike down to the river to fish, occupying my time staying out of trouble, learning valuable lessons on my own. I feel bad for my grandkids. I guess they call that progress. Just never thought it would happen in my lifetime? Already this year my interest has waned, not having wet a line yet for hatch steel, the latest start in 36 yrs. I guess I have started to move on to other things. Hope for all you young guys, this pay to play future is slow to take. A wonderful pastime could be in jeopardy. Oh, and by the way, MERRY XMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This is a copy of an email I just sent.
I will let you know of the response.


TeamMontesano@dfw.wa.gov





Subject:
Insert:AttachmentsOffice docsPhotosFrom Bing ▼
Images
Clip art
Maps and places
Local events
Movies and showtimes
Webpages
Search allEmoticons
Total size: 0.0 KB of 25.0 MB
Message body <P>In regards to the following article, I was wondering if any progress has been made? Is the gate open or will it be soon? As a handicapped person this access is one of the few places I can get to on the Bogachiel and Calawah. 2 miles is too much for me walk.</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Is there a date for a cleanup? Is there someone to contact to volunteer to help? </P>