does anyone know of any good smallmouth rivers this side of the cascade? or a lake or 2..thanks for any info...**berkley boy**

Well, as far as a smallie river goes on the west side of wash. The only one I could recommend or know of is the columbia. I wouldn't want to be the guy who ever got caught putting smalljaws into a river that supports anadramous fish, can you say "JAILTIME". So, fish the columbia if you want a west-side river, or make the trip to the john-day in oregon, Or fish any of the great smallie lakes in wash. Try Samammish, Riffe, lake Wash. and I'm sure thier's plenty more. Check out the Washinton state bass reports at http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/reports for current reports on different locals. Hope this helps. I know first hand that the Columbia is kicking out nice pre-spawn smallies around Portland and Vancouver. Just be sure and release those big females. Good Luck.

Aaron

Try the Chehailis by Rochester/Littlerock or Black river south of Olympia

thanks for the info jelly, i release all fish i catch, except hatchery kings/steelies, ox, have you personally caught smallies on those stretches of rivers? or jus heard of them? thanks again..hitting riffe here in a week or 2 after it warms some more, thanks again..**berkley boy**

BB,

I'd be sure to call someone who could give you the local water level at riffe. Last I heard they were thinking the boat ramps wouldn't be usable this summer do to the lack of H20. If you're banking it, it might be a little muddy do to the drawdown.

I can personally vouch for the weekend smallies on the columbia. I hadn't heard about the Chehalis or Black. Let me know if you need some tech. help for smallies.

Aaron

jelly,i will be using my pontoon boat to float around with fishing for the smallies up there, have you personally fished up at riffe for smallies? have you had good success? i have fished for kokanee and trout up there and had fair success..thanks for the info.. **berkley boy**

BB,

I haven't fished Riffe myself. One of my Tournement parnters has, and has told me It has some very large fish, If you can find them. He's also told me that the wind can just rip up there. Might not want to get too far off shore in the pontoon boat if a squall kicks up. I'd look for typical reservoir places---Road beds, dropp offs, humps, The fish should be spawn or post-spawn so you may want to check the flats too.

Good Luck

Aaron