Today I learned the true nature of the Reiter Hatchery hole.

Got to the hatchery at sunrise and got onto the water, only a couple guys fishing. And looking 5 feet from the shore in small, deeper pockets of water, I spotted hundreds of roaming steelhead lurking about. Schools, packs of them, all stacked up beneath that hatchery creek.

I crept up beside boulders, half shielding my body from view as I stalked the gleaming silver bullets. I let out a cast with a 1/4 oz spoon, and it wobbled perfectly through the mass of swirling fish....... with no strikes. Thus was the pattern for the day. Nothing they would bite, be it spoon or spinner or jig or worm or bead....... nothing.

To make things more interesting, a crowd of fishermen came to the river and began fishing. Now I'm familiar with "combat fishing" but I didn't realize what was about to happen.

My rock was choked out of existence, with guys lined up five feet to my left and right, casting in an "X" formation, with me being located at the center of the "X". So essentially, I could not cast anywhere that wasn't the trees behind me. Don't want to upset anyone, ya know.

So I moved downstream a ways, and watched an hour or two go by, without anyone catching a fish or even hooking one. Both sides of the river, and 20+ anglers could not draw a strike. I left shortly afterwards, deciding to hopefully find more peaceful waters.

Big Eddy, here I come. Same story, except I only saw one fish roll. Tried everything I had, and nothing came as a product of my efforts. I saw a fisherman who was obviously trying to snag fish here... or perhaps he was convinced that hard 5-foot twitches of his rod would attract babes. Such power....... oh well, the unsportsmanlike fishing was not rewarded with chrome either. I too, left empty handed.

Oh well, I live and learn. It was a beautiful day to be outside regardless of the poor fishing. I just wish some people would be a little more attentive to a fellow angler's space. Or perhaps I'll stay away from the crowds.

SilverSlayer

6/8/2015 11:02:00 AM

FYI, it's illegal to fish the hatchery hole before 6 AM, 1500 feet upstream and 1000 feet downstream. There is a large red sign posted on the entrance road with the notification.

mountainman25

6/8/2015 12:42:00 PM

It's hard to see our great fishery we have get absolutely pounded every day. Those fish are smart!

Ian Horning

6/9/2015 9:48:00 AM

@SilverSlayer thanks for the info, I must be blind to not see that. Will keep in mind, heaven forbid I ever head back there this year.

@mountainman25 haha yeah it is kinda a shame that Reiter clogs up every day. As for the fish, I don't think its that their smart, but rather that their not stupid. After seeing the same poorly presented, smoky smelling nightmare and pink aerojigs pass in front of their face for the 1000th time, it's old news. I could critique more of the fishing I see up there more, but i'll let it be.

Thanks for the info and comments!

FishingTenor

6/12/2015 11:13:00 PM

Thanks Ian for your report. I have been trying to get up there to Reiter, but I don't like the crowds either.
There should be a lot of river to be explored. Interesting that there were schools of Steelies, but none were biting.
Happy fishing!

SkyRiverMan

6/16/2015 1:37:00 PM

you had guys lined up 5 feet to the left and 5 to the right?.... sounds like you picked a day to try rieter when there wasn't much of a crowd.... when the water is low (and it's record low - ), clear, and warm, you will have better success above rieter in the rock gardens - there's more cover, more oxygen, better holding water (deeper than 6 inches) and with far fewer people, you;ll be able to fish lots of area instead of being trapped on one rock all day.

rmrauscher

6/24/2015 5:41:00 PM

Rather go to QFC than put up with the nonsense at Reiter.

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