Skykomish Virgin

[donman]

Hey guys,

I'm headed out to the Sky this saturday and heard of many different places to fish. Just looking for some advice as to where do I actually go. Heard Reiter Ponds is good, but where else? And can I fish right at the hatchery or do I have to go somewhere else close by.

Thanks

[kzoo]

Reiter is the best bet, but will probably the combat zone. You can't fish in the creek, it's too small and is probably illegal, but you can fish the river in front of the creek. Better get there early if you want a decent spot.

You can try other places, cracker bar in Sultan and where the wallace dumps into the Sky. That's about all the areas I've tried, had most of my success at Reiter.

I have yet to fish for the summer run, I fish the winter run pretty hard. This summer I'd thought I'd give a shot.

[donman]

Thanks KZoo for the info. Is there parking at the hatchery or do I have to find a spot along the road and will my stuff be safe in my truck? Also looks like a bobber and jig set up is the best bet right now. Since looking at Matt's thread I see that's what he's using.

[fear_no_fish]

you can park along the highway but your going to want to go park in the hatchery parking lot

[spindog]

Hatchery parking lot is known for breakins, Reiter is the worst for people being inconsiderate, if you like rubbing ellbows its your place to fish. Just down stream of hatchery, floats/jig, target big boulders.

[donman]

Thanks everyone for the great info. Can't wait to get there Saturday. We'll be coming from Bremerton so it should be a great trip. Sound like I need to pack some heat not that my truck is anything to gawk after.

[donman]

Spindog, is it possible to just walk down stream from the hatchery, is there a trail? It would be good to get away if we can.

[spindog]

You can walk the river on the shoreline, there is a trail off the rocky river bank.

[kzoo]

I've never been broken into on the hatchery side, I have on the opposite side, parking lot on Hwy 2 side. Best advice, don't leave anything in your truck, I mean nothing, clear your glove departments and open them to show there's nothing. I got broken into, all I had was a storage box with bungees and straps.

It's not too bad fishing there, just need to take your turn casting, try not cross anyone. Some people are a little inconsiderate, they'll float or drift 10 guys down. I've seen some heated arguments, but most people are friendly.

I like to float n jig, I've tried drifting with corky and yarn and never had luck. A lot of guys do well drifting, I just suck, I do notice they have better luck downstream right above the rapids and the seam from the huge boulder in the middle of the river. You just need to go there and check it out yourself.

[Matt]

I'm heading down to take a look at Reiter tomorrow at 6am. I will let you all know what is going on down there.

[donman]

I thought about fishing from the Hwy 2 side but after what KZoo was saying I think we'll stick to the hatchery side. Thanks MAtt for scoping it out. We are really looking forward to some new territory and obviously hooking into some fish!

BTW Is there a WalMart or a camp ground close by, we're planing on spending the night friday.

[salmonslayer117]

Interesting thread... Hmmm... Might have to make a trip up there and see what's happenin'.

[Matt]

Went up to Reiter this morning at around 6:!5am after hitting my usual spot out of Monroe. There was about 20-25 people on the hatchery side and the fishing was really slow. Only saw 3 fish on the bank when I got there and 1 other being reeled in right when I showed up. Other then that no other takers. Down in Monroe I had 1 takedown on the float setup but it didn't stick, sigh.

It's been a slow week for me :( Although I did run into another WAlakes member up at the ponds who said hello, always a nice bonus!

[donman]

Right on Matt! Thanks for letting us know. 20-25 people at the hatchery, is that a lot of a little?

[Matt]

I would say it is in between. It definitely gets more packed, but on the flip side of that coin you can't really fit a whole heck of a lot more people in that little slot there.

Reminded me of samish river

[kzoo]

Right on Matt! Thanks for letting us know. 20-25 people at the hatchery, is that a lot of a little?

That's pretty typical in the winter, weekends are more. Reiter isn't exactly a secret spot. I prefer fishing the other side, but then you have to deal with the tweakers.

[curado]

hey don i might be able to tag a long

[pugnaciouspete]

Im new to this area as well, and I am not sure how to get to the hatchery. Google maps isn't all to helpful, can someone lend a hand?

I will be coming from Monroe if that helps at all.

[Hank]

The hatchery is easy to get to. From Hwy 2 in Gold Bar turn left onto Rieter road. Stay on Rieter Rd and then take the first paved right that you come to. There is no sign.

[donman]

Yeah it's pretty easy to get there, and when you see all the cars in the parking lot, you know you're at the right spot. Despite the combat fishing, I actually had a great time there. Saw some big fish being pulled out of there. The smallest I saw was about 14 pounds. Have fun and be cool about the space, it is what it is.