Need some help from some of you Cowlitz river guys. My father in law is getting back into steelheading but has a bad heart and can't do the hike into blue creek. I would love to fish with him in a good steely spot. Does anyone know how to get to the gravel bed across from blue creek. Is it private property? Who can I talk to about getting permission if it is? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Steve, I fished the gravel bar a couple times back in the late 80's and had to walk about a .5 to .75 of a mile from the gate to the river, don't know if things have changed since then but unless a landowner let you through the gate you had to hoof it.

My understanding is that it is private property, a homeowners assn. or something like that. I do not know for sure. There are a bunch of guys that fish it, so there must be some kind of access.

Last time I was there I saw some guys driving in on some quads. Then the time before I saw two trucks parked along the gravel bar. Hope that halps.

Steve Washington

There is still public access to the gravel bar across from Blue Creek.

Most likely, if your father in-law has a weak heart, he won't be able to walk in. The access is still open and there! Recently, the owner's have developed a "new" access code to their gate! You must call now a private number, and a owner, who is living at the area, will then open the gate from their phone with a special code!

There is still a public access area that is open to the pubic just of Hinkey Rd. This area has been cleared and marked by the Friends of the Cowlitz (FOC) Check out the FOC web site, or call there president, Don Glaser at the Barrier dam Camp ground At 360- 985-2495 to find out how to get there.

If he can't or won't give you the directions, then give me an email and I will tell you what I know. This is truly a treasure that we should not ever loose. Learn the area, and then take full advantage of this long standing pubic access site.

Cowlitzfisherman

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????

[ 12-01-2001: Message edited by: cowlitzfisherman ]

[ 12-01-2001: Message edited by: cowlitzfisherman ]

Thaks for all the good info, hopefully it is someplace I can get him into. By the way the steelies are thick in at blue creek right now. Had a good morning there today. Just hope you like crowds if you go.