Is there any good fishing for Steelhead/salmon on Copalis Spring bear hunt?

[hunterrcc]

Just curious if there are any good fishing on the Rayonier timberlands.  I just bought my permit to go on Rayonier and was wondering if I should bring my fishing gear for something to do durning the day while I am hunting spring bear?  Anyone had this permit recently what was the hunting pressure in there?  Any advise or tips would be appreciated. Thanks

[hunterrcc]

Does no one hunt spring bear here?  Just wondering about fishing while hunting bear?

[buschcrawler]

hunted it last season tons of fresh logging and they were out there cutting trees the whole time. will probably never apply there again.

[WSU]

No salmon and steelhead fishing around that time frame in the hunt area.

[Rusty II]

I'll be hunting there too starting this weekend. So far, I'm hearing that there's a lot of bear but it is a tough hunt. I suspect most people just drive around until they find a clearing they want to sit on and glass.

I was reading a thread where Croix (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=48499.msg596825#msg596825) was saying that the aerial photos didn't match up all that well due to recent development. I always start with aerial photos so this should be interesting.

Also, I think were looking at a minimum of 50 other hunters that were drawn. Anyone know how to look up that info?
-Rusty

[bobcat]

I'll be hunting there too starting this weekend. So far, I'm hearing that there's a lot of bear but it is a tough hunt. I suspect most people just drive around until they find a clearing they want to sit on and glass.

I was reading a thread where Croix (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=48499.msg596825#msg596825) was saying that the aerial photos didn't match up all that well due to recent development. I always start with aerial photos so this should be interesting.

Also, I think were looking at a minimum of 50 other hunters that were drawn. Anyone know how to look up that info?
-Rusty

There were 100 permits in the Copalis unit. All the info is in the 2011 Big Game regulations.

I'm not sure if there's been much development in that unit. Actually I really doubt it. More likely the changes are due to logging.

[Bob33]

I hunted there (alone and with friends) three seasons - 2008 to 2010.  We never saw a bear, and saw very few other hunters.  I did not see any streams that could be fished, and if there were I'm not sure of seasons.  It's a fun experience but your chances of seeing a bear are not very good based on my time there.

[Rusty II]

Not good. How about this, has anyone taken a bear out of that area recently? All I've seen taken was one bear in the thread I posted above.

I'd really like to know if I should be happy with any decent boar or if that area holds some bruins. Any big bear sign?

[bobcat]

One thing I'd suggest to get you more amped up for that hunt, is to Google the name "Ralph Flowers" and try to get a hold of his book on bear hunting in that area, which he did as a professional hunter for many years. I think it's titled "Education of a Bear Hunter."

[BMRB]

the area in that unit that im hunting is fairly flat, not alot of elevation.  Also very thick reprod. with that being said I saw my first bear of the season yesterday, so im looking forward to the next 2 months

[Rusty II]

Just curious if there are any good fishing on the Rayonier timberlands. 

There was a fishing derby in Failor Lake over the weekend. You just had to be 14 or younger... This one little girl was dragging a 7lb (ish) trout at least half her height.

BUT the lake apparently opens after the last Sunday in April (https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/erules/erule.jsp?id=1157) You need a discovery pass to use the area (I have a pass if you have a boat ). 

Also, there are some other lakes and streams that can be fished. All the fishable areas I saw were discovery pass required areas. None are in approved hunting grounds as they are deemed recreation areas. Important to know being that Fairlor Lake is on Rayonier property and it looks like a hunting area until you hit the discovery pass signs.

[Rusty II]

One thing I'd suggest to get you more amped up for that hunt, is to Google the name "Ralph Flowers" and try to get a hold of his book on bear hunting in that area, which he did as a professional hunter for many years. I think it's titled "Education of a Bear Hunter."

Hey, thank you VERY much for this. Halfway through and this book is freaking amazing. Best $10 I'll ever spend!