I heard form a source that a guide bought a sled and is planning to run it on the Forks rivers. Personally, I think that fishing the Oly pen is a special thing and is best endured in the silence of a driftboat. Don't get me wrong I like sleds on big rivers. If sleds start going up to those rivers it just won't be the same. I know that the "local" make the laws up there and sleds, with slashed tires and stuff.
I guess my question is: has anyone else heard this rumor of a guide using a sled up there? And how would you guys react to that?
I am not trying to start anything I would just like to see if my source is right.
Take care guys and fish on.
Chris

pp-
If you visit a certain prominent guide's website and check out his daily reports you will in fact see that sled with a caption "The Lower Hoh is now mine! G&L Shake too!"

Well if thats what J-- M--------- wants he'll get it. Keith what do ya say we give him a leason on boondoggin' cause I bet all hes gonna do with it is pull plugs. Its sad a local guide would want to screw up his own backyard like that. Basically hes opening the doors to make it sled city out there. If one guy thinks he'll be the only one hes wrong. Its one of the only places in WA you can have peace and quite! Hes really just inviting everyone else to do it then. I see this going in a bad direction for the west end rivers. Lets hope a few guys have the balls to make sure he doesn't get away with this crap! I wonder how this is all going down. Maybe he plans on using it somewhere else? I bet not though !

Well that's gonna start some shhheeeeaaattt!!!

Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

JM has photos of the boat on his website. It looks like the photos are cropped so you can't see if his motor is a jet or a prop. nice looking boat though. could he have just said that to get you all stirred up when in reality he is going to run it in the salt?

Hmmmmmm, seems I remember a story about someone taking the blue wrench to a sled trailer in Forks once before.

Id be willing too bet he'll fish mostly below Barlows but I wouldent bet it wont be up by G & L now and then. In the past there have always been sleds on the Hoh from G & L down during Salmon season. one guy guided from one a while back. He never moved much past that hole though. This will start something new. I bet if it flies it will be on the Bogy during brat season. If that happens all you Cow fisherman come on over... We might as well do it right! You half to admit though! He gets 2 miles of river that no-one but the natives fish. Kinda makes me want one.
Oh well looks like my new Drag racing hobby is getting closer! Pro Stock Willie!

Bob D

Bob D

personaly I don't think boats with motors should be allowed on our clear water rivers up here. They stink up the air and water an make too much noise. There is one other guide that runs a jet sled up here D---S------.Leave the clear water rivers to drift boats only.An I don't just say that because I have a drift boat. Just leave them clean and clear and noiseless.

I remember that too Kyle the guy showed up with a one piece trailer and left with the breakdown model. This guide better invest in some damn good insurance or a security guard for his equipment, if he plans on really doing this. It's a different world up there.

Yea but he thinks its his world up there! Hes been there longer than any of them. He does have the resource to have his boat delivered and picked up. He's a true Forks local with alot of pull in the city council. Im not saying that I agree, but he used to keep quite about EVERYTHING. Now he is helping exploit it like this site! And alot of other guides have jumped on the band wagon too! They all have daily reports and pics too. Anyway Im not saying its right and I HATE the thought of sleds on the OP. But its legal and vandelizing private property isnt! The law usaully wins! Hopefully eticut will prevail though!!

Bob D

Sleds may remain legal now but just let a certain guy or any of his friends go over to that area on one of their trips and witness abuse. M....... may think he has clout there because of his relations. However, the WA legislature will give him reason to put his new toy on E-Bay for whatever he can get fo it. And that is a fact.

IMO, If you care about this isssue my advice is to start writting letters to your legislators and WDFW and put a stop to it before it's common place.

Sleds have been fishing the Hoh as long as I can remember. In the late 70's and early 80's it was pretty much a summer time thing for kings and use to be really productive, you would not see any in the winter but was common to see three or four on the weekends when the kings are in. spent many July weekends slaying them in the oxbow drift from the sled nice fish too, but I agree it would really suck to have to listen to that noise out there now especially when you do risk the danger of vandals for just doing something you enjoy I would not risk my sh## doing it now!!!

Idea!!! JM Insurance company woud be thankfull for the advance notice, that their policy holder has put their liabilty for that coverage, in a very high probability of them paying out claims for the long term. Honestly I think their is a potential, for problems, and that company just looking at the posts today would SH--. knowing the risks involved insuring that guys boat and trailor. They would never have done it if they had one clue of the possible ramifacations of writing that policy. His arrogance in promoting his intentions that he knows is not going to go over well is being cocky,His intentions IF TRUE, and If I am his agent I would redo his policy, or not cover it at all. I lost my coverage for my boat for 2 claims, in 9 years, that were for a total of $2,300, this due to the claims coming within 1.5 years of eachother, and I was considered a high risk for claim filing. Given the proper information, Joe Schmo agent could due himself a favor, by not insuring it due to the reasons we all stated above. In a small community an issue like that could be a HUGE DEAL. I know who I would be getting my coverage from ,The guy who is river and fish friendly. Just my 2 cents worth....

Sorry to inform you guys that he was just trying to get a rise out of all of you guys. I seen someone else pulling the boat around town yesterday in a white Ford six pack. They were staying at his parents guest house, I would assume. Hey Bob D and on the issue of us exploiting it over here you have a lot of room to talk. Writing an article about fishing the Duc for Springers for STS. Yeah and were did you learn how to fish these rivers over here. From all of us local guides that you paid to learn how to fish over here.

Aunty M,
I do not dislike sleds. The new wishlist
boat we would like, would have the ability to run both prop and pump. I,too, would not take it to the OlyPen. I do not personally care if they race hydroplanes on the Hoh. What I will share with you is this. No matter how much you swing your sword there are a group of people in your state who consider themselves somewhat as royalty. They consist of some old names and some not so old, but have enough money to sway elections. Some for one party, some for the other depending on what they want. With soft money and the ability to keep themselves and their wishes out of the limelight, they have for decades gotten most of what they want and how things will be. You are so correct, it's all about money. Those taxes from boat mfg,etc.,are small change compared to their royal highness'ongoing funding of those that do their bidding. Please, accept my comments in the spirit in which they are given. I'm not arguing or am I stating a like or dislike. I'm simply saying that it has been my misfortune to observe what should only be storylines for T.V. Keep that sword swinging. Its good for bringing the bloodpressure down.

Thanks for setting us sraight Pat! I honestly don't think its about who's local, its ethics. That goes for any river.

Pat,
Lessons on springers?? The penninsula is no secret anymore...

I'd love to come over and give some lessons on boondoggin!! But we all know the routine, bring a sled and you get your truck bashed...

Every river (if big enough) should be sled friendly... Us sledders pay taxes too.
Keith

Pat
Dosent matter now! Its all over up there! It was along time ago! The solitude of before internet is over. More people are willing to make the 3 hour drive for the quality of fishing. I diddent say I wasent did I? And paying guides is the BEST WAY to learn a new river or learn more about a river! Especially since every one you pay you tell up front, "Im here to learn not just catch a fish"! Its too bad I got dumped off to you! One things good though! I dont have to rely on the fishing! I do it cause I LOVE to fish! Not because Feller Bunchers have replaced me! We learned from the same people! You just diddent have to pay and you get trips handed to you! I work for them!
Its good to know that Jim was just joshing though!
Its still a wonderful place to fish!

Bob D

Pat,
thanks for setting us straight on that. It was very disturbing to me to think that that guide felt he had special rights. take care.