Late fishing on the Hump

[ouchfoss]

I have always avoided fishing the Humptulips because of the "combat fishing" in a lot of the decent spots but now that my dad and I have a nice little 17' valco jet sled I wouldn't mind doing some fishing farther downstream by the Camp Bethel area and don't know anything about fishing this time of year down that direction. I know steelhead will start coming in fairly soon but is it still worthwhile this late in the year for kings and coho? Am I gonna get screamed at by the crowd who hates motorized boats on the rivers that are usually drifted?

[lostbackpacker]

I have heard that the hump is a place you don't take a motorized boat.  I have only fished it a handful of times from the bank and I never saw a motorized boat where I was. 

I would do a scouting trip and see what is down there as far as boats.  Or call a couple of guides and ask them.  I know phil stephens(mystical guide service) fishes the hump alot. 

[wildmanoutdoors]

The Coho run till Dec. Still lots to come in.

As far a a sled, I have launched mine at 109 and ran up to the Rainier hole with no problems. I have seen them above Rynvanns also. Have seen them in the Bluff hole even.

Its not that its nots legal, its more the chance you take from people messing with your stuff.

[WSU]

My guess is that the answer to all of your questions is yes.

[bowtech721]

Its legal but I definetly wouldnt recommend it...

[kingpin]

You can get your sled up or down from Reynvans at about 750 cfs of more. running up more than about 1/2 mile is not a good idea this year, too many logs that can certainly be a problem. I have not been down river this year, but in the past it has not been an issue. You will likely get some attitude from some guys, but for the most part they are ok. The late silvers should be showing up any time. A few kings around, but not many. My dad lost a chrome hen today up toward the hatchery. That will continue into December as well. Just not a lot of them to target.

[ouchfoss]

The Coho run till Dec. Still lots to come in.

As far a a sled, I have launched mine at 109 and ran up to the Rainier hole with no problems. I have seen them above Rynvanns also. Have seen them in the Bluff hole even.

Its not that its nots legal, its more the chance you take from people messing with your stuff.

That's one thing I am worried about.
 

[Button Nubbs]

if you take your sled please stay below the cougar hole. imo that river is too small for a parade of driftboats let alone throwing sleds into the mix. from bethel down there really isnt all that much high percentage water, youd be better off on another river.

[mallard79]

Oh come on....run it til you can't go any farther....if it aint illegal then what is the big deal?    Oh yeah....it's all those people in drift boats who think they own the river....   

In all honesty....stay low if you do take a sled.....they don't have a Humpy season down there so they aren't really amused when people change things up and go against the grain. 

[BigGoonTuna]

odds are that if anyone's messing with your trailer, it'd be guides or out of towners.  i know several local guys that have run sleds on that river for ages.  they do stay away from the crowds up at the hatchery.

[ouchfoss]

I kinda understand the reason for disliking sleds because it isnt really a big river like cowlits or snohomish so there isnt a ton of room in some of the holes but as long as im not zooming thru the middle of an occupied hole or over people lines I dont think it would be a problem, I hope. I bet it all just boils down to respectful boating.
I am really looking forward to slaying some silvers though. I spent alot of days fishing the Clearwater in October but because the rain never showed up, I have yet to get one salmon this year.

[Button Nubbs]

there wont be a hole thats not occupied

[wildmanoutdoors]

I kinda understand the reason for disliking sleds because it isnt really a big river like cowlits or snohomish so there isnt a ton of room in some of the holes but as long as im not zooming thru the middle of an occupied hole or over people lines I dont think it would be a problem, I hope. I bet it all just boils down to respectful boating.
I am really looking forward to slaying some silvers though. I spent alot of days fishing the Clearwater in October but because the rain never showed up, I have yet to get one salmon this year.

It wont be a problem, till 50 other sleds show up. You lead the way, We will all follow! 

[Bullkllr]

I haven't fished the Hump a lot lately. "Back in the day" 20+ years ago there were almost as many sleds as drift boats down lower at least. There seems to be a higher tolerance for sleds on the Harbor streams than farther north. I like sleds, by the way, only as long as they're not on the same stretch of river I  am fishing.

[Button Nubbs]

I haven't fished the Hump a lot lately. "Back in the day" 20+ years ago there were almost as many sleds as drift boats down lower at least. There seems to be a higher tolerance for sleds on the Harbor streams than farther north. I like sleds, by the way, only as long as they're not on the same stretch of river I  am fishing.

or if im in one...