Kind of hate to stink it up with a 1 star report, but I still had a great experience and thought I'd share.

So I spend a lot of time fishing the Lower Cle Elum river. I fish it right below the Suncadia lodge. I have also spent a little time fishing the Lower river in the area just below the dam, which is called the "Salmon viewing area"
It is actually open to fishing all the way up to the dam, which is unusual for most dammed rivers.

Anyhoo.. So the deal is that the dam is wide open all summer, and the lower river is blown out, and practically unfishable in my experience. You just can't access the shorelines that you can other times.
However, in this season of Oct-Dec, it is PERFECT wading conditions.
I made my usual access from the trail below the lodge, although this time since the river is low, I was able to walk up stream. I walked about 1/8th mile. The river forks. I found some nice stretches of water in the immediate walk up stream, but at the fork I went to the right. Right at this point there are some GREAT pools. Keep going and there are a couple more. I was trying to be all stealth in my scouting for fish, but I did spook a very large fish in this area. Fish was about elbow to middle finger tip, lol.

So, bunk report in terms of NO Fish! I did have a few hits up on that left fork. But the best learned thing was that there is so much great wadable water this time of year, and a very nice fish spotted.
I was fly fishing. Nymphing with various droppers, etc.
Can't wait to get back.

stryker17

10/27/2014 8:03:00 AM

Another good area is just past Ronald on the left ( 2nd turn ) paved road, follow it around and down on the flat, go past gravel pit and stay straight, road will head down to river, there is a camp ground at the bottom of the hill, good access along the river..... years ago (1972 or so ) that is where we would ford the river in the winter with the snowmobiles to ride the area that is now Tumble Creek, we would ride the area and come down the old road.., Now the new back road for the development, cross the bridge at Bull Frog, than up thru Suncadia, back over to OLD "#3, for a cool one than back to the cabin in Pine Loc Sun...........good old days

The Quadfather

10/27/2014 8:27:00 AM

Yes Styker, the gravel pit area was one of the 1st areas I waded, a few years ago. They have staged it pretty well now with those giant log Burms

Leave a Comment:

Login

Flag

×

Why is this comment inappropriate?

Close Submit

Delete this comment? Provide reason.

No Yes

Edit

×

Cancel Save