Anybody have any info on how they are doing on the Reach?

Heard of a couple decent days the middle of last week. Since then, it has slowed waaayy down. Fished yesterday(several places), never saw a fish. It's still early, and there are LOTS of fish on the way!!!

[This message has been edited by backlash2 (edited 09-12-2000).]

I was thinking about trying this from a drift boat. Is that nuts or what? I have fished at Ringold a couple of times. Where would you put in / take out? Can you camp on the River? Any input would be appreciated. If you know and would like to put together a trip ... I've got the boat to do a couple a day trip, 18' Eastside. I'm in the process of putting a 5hp Honda back into it. (Gotta take out the bottom of the motor well which got sealed over before I bought it, and get it registered) Anyway, if anyone is interested let me know. As always any information will be greatly appreciated.
Guts

PS just saw a news announcement at www.wa.gov/wdfw/fish/regs/fishregs.htm concerning Steelhead Fishing on the "Reach".

Fishguts,
Most people that fish the reach with a drift boat put the boat in at a certain section of river near a well known spot and just fish that hole or small section of river.Below Vernita Bridge the next nearest take out is the old ferry landing which is a far distance by jet boat.I don't believe you can camp on the river below Vernita Bridge.The best place for you would be camp at Vernita and fish the King Hole or the Powerline Hole right out in front of "Camp Vernita".From there you can pull your boat around and fish a few different locations.lester

Hey, I have never fished the Reach and was going to give it a try this weekend. Does anybody have any hints? Wiggle Warts and back troll? I have never used herring and only have one downrigger and will go with a friend. Any info will help. I think I am going above the Dam. Fish On!

I have never fished the reach either. Was thinking of doing it in a couple of weeks. How deep is the water? I have a 16ft boat with a 90hp merc. (main motor) and a 4hp johnson (trolling) Would I be in danger of hitting bottom anywhere? Rapids? Or is it all deep enough where you don't have to worry about it. Thanks

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Sockeye

I spent about 15 years fishing the Reach. Here's what I can tell you:

You will want a good sized boat and motor to fish the reach. The 16' with a 90 Merc is fine. The 4hp tolling motor may or may not be fast enough - just depends on where you are. The water in the Reach hauls booty.

Anywhere above Vernita Bridge to a mile or so down river is a good place to start. Generally, you can't go wrong by starting at the Bridge and working your way down stream.

The river is fairly deep and for most of the time should not be a problem. There are a few touchy areas and I highly recommend that you show up at Vernita in the middle of the day and run the river with plenty of day light. Spend the day going over the river and finding the "bad" spots. They are easy to locate. Also, drift over a lot of good looking water with your fish finder. No fish on the finder means no fish. They key is to find the pockets of fish.

Here's what I have used in the past:

Near the Hatchery hole is a good place to boondoog or drift some eggs for Jacks. 30 jack days are not uncommon. Very fun on light steelhead gear.

Mag. Wiggle Warts will always work. They can be back trolled or trolled. Reds, oranges, Pirates, Gold all work really well. You can fish the Warts just about any place, but the Bluff hole, PowerLine Hole, and Reactor Hole are really productive with Warts.

Jigs are very effective in the early mornings. Nordic jigs and Luhr Jensen Flutter Jigs (Crocodiles) work really well. Chartruese is a good color. The PowerLine hole and upper Reactor hole are good jigging holes.

Cut plugged or whole herring works really well. I've used both down riggers and "mooching" style with just a heavy banana weight. I've only done this at the reactor hole. Life get's really interesting when a nice 9' sturgeon grabs your herring!

I have not been to the reach in the last couple of years, but I've been itching to try out a wrapped Qwickie. I'm sure they will as well.

The only thing to remember about the Reach is that some days the fish will bite anything and the next day they won't touch anything. If the fishing is slow, be creative and use everything in your box.

Parker, ThankX for the info you answered alot of my questions. I have afew more. I run a 20 boat with an inboard and was thinking of fishing the reach and was wondering where to launch? And is there a usually a evening bite? --------Fish on!

Ya know for as much complaining about how much complaining goes on at this site, all I can say is THIS SITE ROCKS!!!! Parker you just put up a post that will go down into the electronic memory banks (Word 2000). Where else can ya go and get that kind of detailed info??? Thanks for the info.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

Sorry for the delay, but I was out in the Sound fishing for coho's this weekend.

There is a rough launch at the Vernita Bridge. A solid 4x4 is a must as the "launch" is really nothing more than a path down to the water. When the rocks get wet, most 4x2's have a really hard time pulling out the boats.

Parker

There is a better launch at Priest Rapids Dam and then you can run down river to the holes described earlier.There is also a paved launch at mile marker 63 on the hi-way between Vernita and Othello.Lots of good fishing at both places and your inboards fine.Watch your depth and take it slow in unfamiliar waters.Get behind another prop boat and follow him.Yes,the evening bite can be terrific.Start fishing about 3pm to dark.
Good luck,lester

I fished the reach/ringold for the last 11 years. I wanted to add to the info Parker had given. Pay attention to the area immediately above and below ringold. Excellent fishing for kings and summer runs. One method that worked well for me in the last couple of years, take 2 blue fox spinners a #5 and #6. Take the #6's hook off and attach it directly to the top of the #5 spinner with a split ring. experiment with colors. go to the top of a likely looking hole. drift with the current dragging the dual spinner along the bottom. In slower water, use your trolling motor to speed up slightly. And....Hang on to your rod! these bad boys slam it! Good luck.