7400 Launch Property

Posted by: RUNnGUN

7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 09:05 AM

Have not fished the Wynoochee for quite a few years after some bad crowd experiences. Was wondering if the 7400 upper launch is still under lock and key? WDFW was talking about purchasing 15 acres up there. Did that ever happen? What is the current status? Not that I will return, just curious. Sure miss the good old days with lots of fish and no crowds.
Posted by: DrifterWA

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 12:09 PM

Here's what I know:

1. WDFW missed the boat on this....Green Diamond offered to sell land for river access.....A good case of "you snooze, you lose", offer was taken off the table.

2. As I understand, some individuals approached Green Diamond, with $$$$$ in hand to buy a key for the gated property. I was NOT one of those, nor do I know anyone who bought a key, nor have I even been to the area to see how many, how often, the area is being used.

3. I do know, that another property owner is selling access rights thru his property.

4. I know that most days of the week, its "bumper boats", from White Bridge, down river.

I HAVE NOT FISHED THE WYNOOCHEE THIS WINTER SEASON, just drive to the river to do "lookie lou", a few times a day....
Posted by: eyeFISH

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 12:29 PM

A handful of guides holding keys are advertising their "private water" on FaceBook.
Posted by: BossMan

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 03:19 PM

I’d heard a rumor it might reopen this spring and I’d been meaning to follow up on it with Region 6.

Sent an email today and here is the reply:

We are in the process of obtaining all the permits needed to get the 7400 Access site installed. Unfortunately as a state agency, it takes even longer to get the permits necessary than would a private citizen. We have many people here working very hard on the process and with any luck at all, MAYBE it will be done by this summer. Yes, this is a priority for us and we value your inquiry as to how the project is coming along.
Posted by: RUNnGUN

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 04:08 PM

Thanks for the update.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 04:18 PM

That’s great. The current deal of Girly fly guides from Montana buying overpriced keys and then claiming “private water” is completely fuckedup.
Posted by: DrifterWA

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 05:05 PM

I did call Region 6, BossMan is correct, they are working on acquiring enough land for a launch site, will it happen?, time will tell.

WDFW messed up, 40-50 years ago.....99 year leases could have been signed, that would have allowed public access for another 50 or 60 years. The "then land owners", would have signed the leases because land owners and fishermen/hunters got along, at that time.

Wynoochee River has lost so many access sites, I could go all the way from 7400 Line to tide water, and show you unbelievable amounts of land that the "public was able to use", that is now NO TRESPASSING, NO HUNTING.
Posted by: DrifterWA

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 05:25 PM

7400 access would create another problem.....

Anyone that has fished this river, knows that parking can be a problem...White Bridge, Cross Over Bridge, and Black Ck. have parking room for the "crowds of the 60's, the 70's, until about the late 90's".

Now the demands for parking, are ever increasing......just more people in general, but more guides....both drift and jet boat...and all the clients that need to park there cars.

Let assume 15 rigs want to launch at 7400 line, launch would/should be no problem.......but where to find parking for the "turn around service" or for the second car to get back to 7400 line. Remember White Bridge is going to have lots of rigs that have put in there and taken up available parking.

Black Creek needs 3 or 4 times the current parking, Cross Over area is a "pain in the ass".....

Oh well, Bumper boats, lack of parking, makes for a "enjoyable day"!!!!!
Posted by: WDFW X 1 = 0

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 07:34 PM

Pathetic.
Posted by: WDFW X 1 = 0

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 07:35 PM

Pathetic.
I also had no idea retired teachers still told stories.
Posted by: WDFW X 1 = 0

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 07:36 PM

That's double the pathetic.
Our rivers simply convey storm water now days.
Posted by: jgreen

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 08:00 PM

One of the best solutions to the over crowding would be to focus on getting the A run hatchery run going back on the Cowlitz. Im sure plenty of guides wouldn't mind making their way back down there....
Posted by: DRL

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/11/18 08:47 PM

DrifterWA, was nice meeting and chatting with you last Saturday, Hope we meet again.
Posted by: RUNnGUN

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/12/18 06:45 AM

Originally Posted By: DrifterWA
7400 access would create another problem.....

Anyone that has fished this river, knows that parking can be a problem...White Bridge, Cross Over Bridge, and Black Ck. have parking room for the "crowds of the 60's, the 70's, until about the late 90's".

Now the demands for parking, are ever increasing......just more people in general, but more guides....both drift and jet boat...and all the clients that need to park there cars.

Let assume 15 rigs want to launch at 7400 line, launch would/should be no problem.......but where to find parking for the "turn around service" or for the second car to get back to 7400 line. Remember White Bridge is going to have lots of rigs that have put in there and taken up available parking.

Black Creek needs 3 or 4 times the current parking, Cross Over area is a "pain in the ass".....

Oh well, Bumper boats, lack of parking, makes for a "enjoyable day"!!!!!


Exactly why I gave up.
Posted by: RUNnGUN

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/12/18 06:46 AM

Originally Posted By: jgreen
One of the best solutions to the over crowding would be to focus on getting the A run hatchery run going back on the Cowlitz. Im sure plenty of guides wouldn't mind making their way back down there....


Exactly what should be done!
Posted by: DrifterWA

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/12/18 10:19 AM

Originally Posted By: DRL
DrifterWA, was nice meeting and chatting with you last Saturday, Hope we meet again.


Thanks, the same..........boat pressure and fish caught have been about the same as your day on the river...
Posted by: Rocket Red

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/12/18 10:34 AM

I fished the Nooch at Black cr for the first time in about 5 years on New Years Day. I forgot how insane the parking was. We watched a guy double park another rig. I figured he knew the guy, but he said "I'm only fishing for a couple hours, should be gone before he comes back." That takes some balls, or stupidity.

We caught fish pretty easy, but I don't think will be going back to Black Cr this winter. Too much of a hassle.
Posted by: Paul Smenis

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/12/18 10:37 AM

Originally Posted By: eyeFISH
A handful of guides holding keys are advertising their "private water" on FaceBook.



And just an FYI if you do book with one of these "guides" it isn't guaranteed you will even fish that river and certainly don't expect them to show up on time or have any gear tied up and ready to go.
Posted by: Numbqua

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/12/18 04:01 PM


I noticed that the gate on the 7400 line was open the entire deer/elk season but closed just after the new year.


It's really sad that people who have lived here their entire life and fished up there for years no longer have access to the Upper Wynoochee even those who just want to bank fish but the out of town/state guys pay a fee and are in.
Posted by: RUNnGUN

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/12/18 05:47 PM

Originally Posted By: ReefSkunk
That’s great. The current deal of Girly fly guides from Montana buying overpriced keys and then claiming “private water” is completely fuckedup.


Who are the guide companies? I don't do facecrap. Why not mention their names? Hell I might book a trip? I understand they have as much right as anyone else to purchase keys, but if they are out of staters and locals don't think it's fair, some harassment goes a long way. Like having jet sleds on the Bogachiel. It's legal BUT, you might have trouble pulling out at the end of the day.
Posted by: MetalheadMatt

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/16/18 06:01 AM

The key access also gives them the 600 launch.
Posted by: MetalheadMatt

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/16/18 06:07 AM

Parking will not be much of an issue, the new launch site will be the gravel bar below 7400. It was accessible years ago. It will have a white bridge style parking area, and the road in will be maintained. Thus the need for permits. But the 600 beaver slide, will still be a key required from green diamond, but they are talking making the old goat trail below the slide into an operable road, for the lucky key recipients.
Posted by: DrifterWA

Re: 7400 Launch Property - 01/16/18 09:18 AM

Originally Posted By: MetalheadMatt
Parking will not be much of an issue, the new launch site will be the gravel bar below 7400. It was accessible years ago. It will have a white bridge style parking area, and the road in will be maintained. Thus the need for permits. But the 600 beaver slide, will still be a key required from green diamond, but they are talking making the old goat trail below the slide into an operable road, for the lucky key recipients.


I'm not talking about "parking being a problem at 7400 line"....I'm expressing a real concern about "where the turning around rigs and the 2nd rigs will park at White Bridge????? White Bridge was jammed full this 3 day weekend, with put in rigs there and guide clients or 2nd rig vehicles....

I understand that people want 7400 Line access open, I understand also that the general public wants that access "to be free"......remember 7400 line was open and free, just a few years back, but some "insert Trump vocabulary", caused Green Diamond to "lock their gate"...