Another steelhead question ...

[Parasite]

What percentage of steelhead rivers/streams here in Washington would you say are:

1) __% are wading & walking conducive
2) __% are better suited to using a inflatable raft
3) __% are better suited to using a driftboat
4) __% are better suited to using a jet sled
5) __% are better suited to using a prop driven boat

I'm trying to figure out what boat to buy next most likely. Currently have a prop-drive 70hp jon boat, but since I am unfamiliar with most of this state, I'm not sure what makes the most sense for me to have fun on the river and to be safe.

[huntnnw]

there are not many rivers Id run a prop in for steelhead other than the big water of the columbia or snake. Really only you can answer the question as to where you like to fish and where you will spend most of your time.  For me I bought a jet due to where I fish in skinny water, but can also go fish the big C or lakes

[BigCutty3]

Ive utilized all 5 of the methods to catch fish in 45 years of fishing for steelhead in Washington.  You have to to be consistently succcessful year-round.  Unfortunately, you have come to Washington at a time when opportunity has severely declined and is rapidly diminishing.  Lawsuits, hatchery reform, and loss of access will continue this trend.  Save the money on boats to hire a guide on the Quinault system several times January-March, and bank fish the rest of the year. 
A sled is really conducive to less than a handful of rivers on the westside....Cowlitz, Lewis, Chehalis, Columbia, and a couple other smaller ones during higher flows.
A drift boat will gain you access to water that is accessible to everyone else with a drift boat...and believe me there are lots of drift boats around!
A raft will get you more solitude but you still wont be alone.  If you do fish alone, a one person raft can open up some opportunity on small water with tough access.
You will be missing Great Lakes steelheading in no time!

[JimmyHoffa]

rafts are probably giving you the most rivers.  If a big tree is down or the ramp is closed, you can still get to the water and fish.  Not as 'cool' as a driftboat, but the rafts work similarly and do work.

[7mmfan]

As others have said, that's a difficult one based on the specific fishery. You aren't going to use your driftboat in the lower Columbia to fish for summer runs, but it can be fantastic fishing.

If you were going to limit yourself to one or two craft, I would choose a jet sled and a raft with a rowing/fishing frame. The raft will do basically everything the driftboat will do, just with a little less comfort, but can be taken many places that a driftboat cannot. The sled will up your chances for success on rivers where side drifting and covering water is the main technique, like the Cowlitz, and also offer you the ability to fish the Columbia.

To fill out your quiz,

1) 25% are wading & walking conducive
2) 10% are better suited to using a inflatable raft (meaning rivers that are only suited for a raft)
3) 85% are better suited to using a driftboat (most rivers can be fished adequately in a driftboat in WA)
4) 75% are better suited to using a jet sled
5) 5% are better suited to using a prop driven boat

[deerlick]

easy just need a big sled, little sled, and drift boat.

[WSU]

easy just need a big sled, little sled, and drift boat.

And a raft.

[Parasite]

You will be missing Great Lakes steelheading in no time!

Yeah, I do miss the Little Manistee for sure for steelhead. Plus fishing the surf for brown trout. But WA has so much to offer. Besides, I can always fly back to Michigan for a vacation here and there.

easy just need a big sled, little sled, and drift boat.

So why a big sled and a little sled? And whats your definition of each? Currently I'm looking at a 17-ft sled.

And a raft.

I would like a raft, but not right just yet. While I owned a driftboat and a pontoon raft back in Michigan, for my own safety on the rivers here, I think the raft would be a better choice. Also, for a raft or a driftboat, I really think I need to make some fishing friends first. It's just much easier with at least one other person in the boat.

Not as 'cool' as a driftboat, but the rafts work similarly and do work.

I do miss my Hyde 14.5' low pro, but I don't think that boat would make sense here on these rivers. I still might buy one again though for go to Wyoming or some of the other western states.



Right now I am sticking with my 12' kayak and 17' jon boat. The jon boat might get traded in for a jet sled, or just have the prop swapped out for a pump for a fraction of the price. That's what I'm debating at the moment.

I'll probably sell my float tube. PITA in my opinion.

I'll probably also buy a raft or driftboat eventually, unless I make some friends to fish with that have one and I can go with. I miss having that network of friends back in the midwest.

[BigGoonTuna]

my favorite way to fish for steelhead is covering long stretches of small rivers(non-boatable) from the bank.  unfortunately, most of those that i used to fish have had their plants eliminated and/or seasons cut back(or eliminated).  this state's hatchery reform policy that went into place several years is not compatible with these fisheries, they want barriers in place to prevent hatchery fish from spawning with supposed wild fish, and essentially are transforming most fisheries into combat lines below hatcheries.

i have a small sled, but it doesn't see a lot of use these days.  i bought it to get away from people, not to play bumper boats with the guides grinding all day long for a bite or two.  some of the rivers i like to fish out of it on draw objection from the drift boat purists, but those launches were not put in for non motorized craft users' exclusive enjoyment.

[boneaddict]

I've caught more steelhead than you can shake your ugly stick at and I don't have a boat.   

It will depend where you want to fish.   Nice thing about Washington are all the choices you have.  I wouldn't mind having one of each parked in my warehouse.

[Parasite]

I've caught more steelhead than you can shake your ugly stick at and I don't have a boat.   

It will depend where you want to fish.   Nice thing about Washington are all the choices you have.  I wouldn't mind having one of each parked in my warehouse.

I don't mind walking and wading, I just don't know the state well enough yet to know where to go. I'm doing the research, but it's going to take time. Also, I've had a torn meniscus repaired twice in the last 5 years, so I'm leaning more towards boating. Wading gravel bottom is no big deal, wading slick boulders is another story.

[deerlick]

Small sled would be under 20' and for the smaller rivers. Big sled like 23 or larger for big rivers.

You dont need a raft. A drift boat can go where a raft can go, unless your scared.

[Parasite]

Not scared, just inexperienced with any sort of rapids.

[7mmfan]

Your 17' Jon boat with a pump would be a fun sled for fishing most steelhead rivers. Might be a little undersized/gunned for the Columbia, but great for most of the rest. Your 14.5' Hyde low pro would be fine on almost any of these rivers as well. They handle rapids pretty well. I've spent a lot of time in the 15' Clack low pros in some pretty big water, no issues.

You cannot take a driftboat everywhere you can take a raft, don't listen to that rubbish. Trust me, the Calawah at anything other than very high flows will eat more hard boats than get through. A raft is very forgiving. Feel free to PM me, or give me a call sometime, I'm happy to chat about places to go and the right gear to focus on.

[Machias]

This will handle any water you want to hit!   

[JimmyHoffa]

Don't know if you decided on a platform yet, but given the flow levels this year--the last month the levels have been so low (coast) a raft might have been the better option since there has been a lot of getting out to drag over gravel bars.  But since the fish are waiting off the mouth, maybe a small offshore boat would be the best.

[Crunchy]

Better off looking for something to salmon fish from.  Steelhead are a fish to target when there is nothing else to fish for.  Your in Olympia, head west my friend for steelhead.  Two decent rivers to fish if you specifically want steelhead.

[Parasite]

Don't know if you decided on a platform yet, but given the flow levels this year--the last month the levels have been so low (coast) a raft might have been the better option since there has been a lot of getting out to drag over gravel bars.  But since the fish are waiting off the mouth, maybe a small offshore boat would be the best.

Well after doing some reading, posting on these forums, talking to a few kind knowledgeable people, and drawing on past knowledge I decided to hold off on any sort of new boat for the next few years. For steelhead, I'll just stick to walking & wading for now to get to know rivers more intimately like when I first started out on the Great Lakes tribs some 15-20 years ago. I'll keep my 1756 CC G3 jon boat with the prop drive configuration at the moment, and maybe use it occasionally for steelhead on the rivers that it is appropriate for. In 3 years, after I've figured out what I want to hunt & fish for regularly in this state, then I'll re-visit this idea. For now, there is just way too many opportunities to take advantage of, new things to try, new places to visit, etc.