Afraid of the Wasteways

[McCRIZZLEY]

I grew up walk-in hunting the Winchester/Frenchman wasteways for waterfowl (casually). Moved to the midwest for half a decade and now returned, living in Skagit for last few years. Getting pretty serious into waterfowl, sick of the west side crowds, and want to return to the wasteways/potholes area.

I've now got a 12ft layout boat (beavertail stealth) with mud motor and dog (who prefers chasing pheasant over swimming). However, I'm kind of new to boats and hesitant to head out that far alone. Looking for a hunt buddy who has a similar sized boat that would like to explore/hunt that area (including maybe north end of the reservoir, or Columbia refuge). Bonus points if you're familiar already with that area, because I've lost most of what I knew. Happy to carpool if you're located along the route. Happy to hunt swap if you'd like to check out the Skagit area.

Male, mid thirties, engineer, can identify waterfowl, bald. Will settle for tips/info about running a boat in the wasteways (or north end of reservoir).

[high_hunter]

PM sent

[PatoLoco]

If you live in Skagit with that boat, I'd spend my time learning local places that help get you away from the crowds. The marshes off of the Skagit north fork and south fork, north end of the Swinomish Channel (launch from the Twin Bridges), south Skagit Bay/Stanwood/Port Susan areas. Scout and learn for the next 10 months and you'll be on top of it for next season.

[Hilltop123]

When you say," north end of reservoir", I'm assuming the potholes? Correct? I'm going to assume, it is. When it comes to the potholes, until the water level comes up, google earth, GPS, and ONX will be your friend. The reason is when the water is low, like this time of year. The pothole becomes a maze of epic size. What makes it so bad is that, the geography is as flat as a pancake, not many high dunes, to get your bearings. And even if you know the direction to go, can you find a channel to get you there. I added the screen shot, to show what I'm talking about. Much better images on google earth. Learn to use the historical images option, in GE. It is worth the time. As far as the wasteways go, I run my john boat and outboard in the wasteway frequently, no problem. Again google earth is great for studying water channels and wasteways. I don't feel I'm giving away any trade secrets, I'm sure some will disagree. But a old timer once told me, "There are no more secrets in the basin,  just people who hunt harder than others". As a general rule, I think he is correct. Would like to show you around, but my truck took a dump this morning, on my way to the basin for some scouting. It's going to be in the shop awhile. Good Luck

[McCRIZZLEY]

Thanks for all the good info and private messages everyone!

Pato, I'm getting myself familiar with a few of those places as well as a few others locally. Trying to find myself some places that walk in hunters can't access, and bigger boats don't fit. It's been fun to get myself places I never could on foot, but I'm reaching the point where I'm hesitant to get further out solo, without a buddy to call when it hits the fan.

Hilltop, you are correct I was referring to the north end of the potholes reservoir you've got a map of. I'm well versed with OnX and probably spend too much time online scouting to be honest. It's those small channels and hidden holes that I think I'd like to capitalize on with my smaller boat (as well as avoiding the larger water). Good info about the wasteways as well. I'm a little nervous of getting myself in a pickle and not being able to get out the way I came in, and wasn't sure how much navigable water they hold in the main river way. Appreciate the tips, maybe I'll see you out there some time!

[GWP]

We hunted the Potholes nearly exclusively for many years, but mainly on foot.
I would take a boat solo for fishing mostly, but pretty much year round between bowfishing, fishing and occasionally waterfowl.
While I did get a little turned around at times there are enough landmarks to go off of in my experience. "If you can get in, you can get out" was my motto, but there were times I was ducking branches to get into some areas.
I used an electric trolling motor mainly but kept one of the little tiny 1.5 HP 2 strokes that could be sealed up gas wise in the boat if the battery got too low to fight the wind.
I don't know if it is still an issue but people started dumping a lot of stuff out there. Worse yet is they would toss stuff into the water, which REALLY sucked. Plus the druggies were getting more prominent.
We dry camped mainly with a TT.

[rainshadow1]

When you say," north end of reservoir", I'm assuming the potholes? Correct? I'm going to assume, it is. When it comes to the potholes, until the water level comes up, google earth, GPS, and ONX will be your friend. The reason is when the water is low, like this time of year. The pothole becomes a maze of epic size. What makes it so bad is that, the geography is as flat as a pancake, not many high dunes, to get your bearings. And even if you know the direction to go, can you find a channel to get you there. I added the screen shot, to show what I'm talking about. Much better images on google earth. Learn to use the historical images option, in GE. It is worth the time. As far as the wasteways go, I run my john boat and outboard in the wasteway frequently, no problem. Again google earth is great for studying water channels and wasteways. I don't feel I'm giving away any trade secrets, I'm sure some will disagree. But a old timer once told me, "There are no more secrets in the basin,  just people who hunt harder than others". As a general rule, I think he is correct. Would like to show you around, but my truck took a dump this morning, on my way to the basin for some scouting. It's going to be in the shop awhile. Good Luck

 


I think that whole area gets cell service, OnX would be gold back in there.

(I haven't been there in a boat since well before the handheld un-lost technology has arrived!)

[Badhabit]

Launch at the Dodson Rd. launch and run east. You'll have more issues with sandbars than anything. I really dislike the new Dodson Rd launch. I prefer the primitive one that is a gradual back into not the cliff. The Winchester doesn't run nearly as fast as the Frenchmans. Some good access for the Frenchie off Adams Rd. to he west. Good launch and lots of area to hunt.

[crabcreekhunter]

Go in in the daylight and track with OnX or gps.  If you can get in you can get out.   Not trying to make people over confident but anything you can get a boat in on the north end is walkable out if you get in a bind.  On the northern end you basically have Winchester (to the falls) and crabcreek (Moses) as your main channels.  Cell service covers the whole area from my at@T provider.