I think that sleds on the sky above sultan have gotten out of hand.
one saturday last summer I counted 16 sleads going up river before 6:20 am, the river changed colour wile I stood in it.Three guide boats pounded the water that I was fishing first.I wonder if these guys should try pandering something else and leave the rivers and the fish to people not motivated by money


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There is nothing wrong wth sleds, Its the people who operate them. Ive been in sleds before I could walk. I have no problem sharing a smaller river with sleds as long as the driver has a clue what he is doing. I would rather have a sled go by my driftboat fastand onstep then slow down and throw a huge wake. If Im in a spot where a sled needs to go in order to make it or down the river safely, I will move out of the way. Maybe some of you sled haters should hook up with someone that has one and let them show you the world from thier point of view. Then maybe you will change your tune.
As for stupid people in boats. There is a strange thing happing at boat launches all over the country. When people get in their boats their IQ's drop to about 1/2 of what it was. I know most of you have seen this. There needs to be away to stop this before someone gets killed.

Okay, I have to put in my two cents worth, I own a sled and a 22 foot Walkaround and a 14 foot olympian for the kids in the lake.....and my steelhead partner has the driftboat.
I have not and most likely will never fish the Wynoochee with my sled, but when it comes to the Chehalis or the Cowlitz or a few other larger rivers, it can't be beat. With this low water we have been experiencing, my sled has been sitting idle most of this winter.
I am sure there are people in the sound that hate guys in 22 footers too, the guys in smaller vessels, probably complain about our larger wakes.
Then I am sure when my kids are racing around on the lake with the 14 footer, there is probably a guy or gal in a canoe, or a flyfisherman in a float tube that is getting all worked up.
What I am trying to say is that you will never be able to make everyone happy. All we can do as boat owners and fisher people is to act responsibly and maybe we can all get along!
It is wrong to hate somebody because they have a different way of doing something, unless they are negligent in doing it.
BTW.....Had a great day in the driftboat on Sunday.....even had to shed all the clothes before the day was done. Only sad part was the dark filleted Native Steelie on the beach at the take out



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Steve Ng....The FishNg1
99 F-350 Powerstroke 4x4 , 18ft Alumaweld Formula Vee Sled, 115 Yamaha, and now also Campion 215 walkaround, 135 Merc.

Centerpin, the sleds on the Sky really turn my stomach too, and the same goes for just about every other river. The last thing I'm looking for when I'm out fishing is the sound of engines. Sometimes when I hit the sky I think about bringing a surfboard so I can ride the waves those sleds make. At least I'd have something to do after they spook the whole damn river. People tell me the fish don't mind; I don't buy it.

I agree with "its the driver" and with keeping sleds on the larger rivers only. Have fished from a sled, have been almost washed out by a sled, and its all comes down to who is behind the wheel. I dont fish the Cowlitz anymore because of sleds. NO fun trying to drift a river while 2 dozen sleds race up and down around you all day. And mostly to show off thier overpowered boat.

I have to take some exception to that...sure there are some guys that might walk in the only slot deep enough for a sled to navigate, but have you considered that in that case maybe the river's too small for your sled?

As my name implies I beat the bank most of the time, but ride occasionally with buddies in both sleds and drift boats. The sled's great for access, but sometimes I want to duck when we pass close to guys on the bank. In the drift boat the bankies might tip their hat. In the sled you're apt to get another type of acknowledgement.

I own a 14' hewscraft. I run within 3 feet of people fishing. I have stopped and asked people where they would like me to go. All said, as close to shore as possible. That way you don't run over the water they are fishing. I have not had one person complain about coming too close. I suppose it could be bad if I had a lot bigger boat, but at full tilt my wake is only about 6" high. I just got a drift boat and will use it where I can't use my sled and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Fishhead5

Sleds have gotten out of hand on the upper and mid Sky. THey are fine in the Snohomish. THey do spook the fish especially in clearer water. THats why the salmon stop rolling around for 10 or more minutes after a sled buzzes by.

It doesnt take more than one inconsiderate person to ruin it for others on small rivers.

BW