Glock I noticed on your posting to the main page in reference to the creel survey on the Yakima that the amount of pole hours is double of last year. The times that I have gone out this fall I have noticed many more anglers than last year myself. I was thinking to myself that maybe I forgot how many people fish the Yak. Thanks to your post I guess I am not dillusional. I have walked to places I normally fish alone only to find someone camped out in MY spot. Of course it is always MY spot right! I guess I was wondering if others who frequent the yak noticed this as well. I suppose I better start keeping my mouth shut on some of my reports as to exact locations being fished. No offense to members of this site, but I think some of the reason might be us giving too much info. Of course I will post reports as I love reading other's reports, but they just might be a little more vague. If anyone ever wants more detail just PM me. I think many of us who put a lot of hours into our favorite waters should consider this as well because anyone, member or not, can read our posts. The last thing that many of us want to deal with is overcrowding. That is why we live on the eastside right! Food for thought.

Dev88T

Dev88t: You nailed it. The internet fishing ettiquite is always how to, but never where. The Yak is no secret. I don't mind giving up "lower Yak" or even "below Horn Rapids" 'cause most folks will assume that I mean the usual spot right below Horn Rapids dam and when I fish there I'm generally with a dozen or so of my closest friends. Besides I fish lots of water below Horn Rapids and I've puled fish from spots that I've never seen anybody else fish ever. Fishing has given me a lot over the years, so I'm all for encouraging others to get out and give it a try, but a huge part of the sport is discovery, and that just can't be handed to someone. So by all means guard your secrets; you've earned them. Let folks make some real contributions here at this site before you start handing out hints that may guide them to their own discoveries. There are some holes on the Tuc that I'll take with me to my grave! Salmon and steelhead fishing is a tough activity; that's a huge part of the appeal. When I feel that take or see the bobber drop, I get a rush that just wouldn't be there if it were easy. I still get the shakes on every fish--I'm getting stoked just thinking about it.

Good luck fellas,

dev88t,

We seem to release more information on the river rather than the location on the river. In my opinion, the location I fish seems to have about the same amount of pressure. I typically wade out into the water which gives me, and others, an opportunity to move accordingly. I will usually see a handfull of people on the river fishing along with me. I enjoy having the company as I can see if someone else is catching the fish and not me. I also take out the binochulars to look to see who is using what.

The trick sometimes to fishing these overcrowded rivers is finding the right tackle to do the job. Sometimes it is something silly like float fishing a spoon with a pink worm hanging off it. That might be an extreme example but I think the point is made.

I do think the run came earlier than expected. We are seeing more people fishing on the river earliery this year because of this.

Hey Guys,

I kinda agree with Dev88t when it comes to giving up location. Dev88t was extremly cool when he showed me the how to around the Tucannon last year and again by taking me to the Yak this year. However we talk about everything in PM as to not let everyone who has internet access in the world know where we are going or have been. I noticed that the four of us have been posting for quite some time now, of course you three for much longer and along the way we have grown to somewhat trust each other. That is why the secrets are shared amongst us. I love watching other people catch fish almost as much as I like catching fish, note I said almost. The reason I say almost, is if everyone knows the bite is hot and where we are going it might be a day of tangles and combat fishing. Instead of a nice day out with your buddies landing fish after fish. I also agree somewhat with Glock, having other fishermen around does give you an opportunity to see different approaches and presentations and many times over what is currently landing the big uns. I think we just have to careful not to make certain knowledge common knowledge. That is very hard coming from me as I have learned most of what I know from all of you, but again as I mentioned before alot of those great spots to fish were not given to me in my first year posting with you all. I earned them by taking fishing trips with you and earning friendships, then some of the knowledge of where to go and what to use was provided. Anyway that's my two cents on the subject if you wanted them.

RAE

Even though this is a small forum it gets many views. I wish people would hush up about the tucannon but I guess that the damage is already done.

HEY EVERYONE THE RONDE IS FISHING AWESOME AND IS THE BEST STEELHEAD RIVER IN THE STATE WITHOUT A DOUBT, SPEND ALL YOUR TIME ON THE UPPER RIVER ABOVE BOGGANS.

Zen_Piscator wrote:

Even though this is a small forum it gets many views. I wish people would hush up about the tucannon but I guess that the damage is already done. HEY EVERYONE THE RONDE IS FISHING AWESOME AND IS THE BEST STEELHEAD RIVER IN THE STATE WITHOUT A DOUBT, SPEND ALL YOUR TIME ON THE UPPER RIVER ABOVE BOGGANS.

Zen, were you on the GR recently? How did you do? I noticed the levels have had a very slight taper over the last week. Were you below the hatchery? Last question, fly or drift fishing?

Corky--Zen is just messin' with ya--smoke and mirrors to divert atention from the Tuc. Bu he's right, the Tuc can't handle large crowds. The truth about this stream, though, is that it's long and the fish get spread out, so if you're looking to cherry pick a couple of holes and limit out--this isn't the type of fishing for you. You've really got to earn your fish with lots of hiking a bushwacking. I suspect that most who try this type of fishing will not do well, and move on to other fisheries. Remeber, for every, "check out the fish I caught" post there are dozens of fruitless trips made. The fish run small too, so again, lots of work, with little reward. The true reward on the Tuc comes to those who are there for the FISHING and not necessarily the CATCHING.

Gotcha Emann, and I agree with your assessment of the Tuc, I too fish this river and love it for what it is. Perhaps I'll see you out there sometime if I haven't already. GL to you and to all, take care.