There was a number posted on this board a few weeks ago that had the range control office number. I wanted to get a pass to fish up at the tank crossing on the Nasty. I called the number and the person told me to go to the DuPont gate and the MP's would show me where to go. When I went to the DuPont gate, the MP's sent me to the main gate, where we were directed to an office that issues passes to get on post. They were completely unaware of any range pass for fishing. If it wasn't for the fact that the guy in charge was a nice guy and sponsored us, we wouldn't have gotten a post pass.

What I need to know is where do you get the range pass for fishing, and do you need a "sponsor " (military person) to vouch for you?

BTW- the river was very muddy. Alot of fish in there were nice and bright.

SpongeBob.

I am an officer here at Fort Lewis. The Range Control area access number is 253-967-6277. You can get a vehicle access pass for the Nisqually. The areas you will be parking in are Training Areas 16 & 18 for the upper river (Tank Bridge Crossing) and Training Area 3 if you plan to fish the Mounts Road Bridge Area. Access through the Dupont & Main Gate is a little more problematic. The Range Pass is SUPPOSED to give you access through the gate, however, the soldiers at the gate are spring loaded to deny any vehicle / person that either does not have a Military ID or does not have an escort with an ID. Unfortunately, since the soldiers at the gate frequently rotate the tasking, they are not updated on the range pass (and hunting pass) policy. The success rates of my civilian buddies (who I don't have time to escort) is about 50% getting through the gates. The Main Gate is usually your best bet, because their is more long term MP leadership there who understanding the pass proceudres. The soldiers at the Dupont Gate are usually Combat Arms soldiers who are just tasked for the mission of guarding the walls. However, Once you get a Range Pass from Range Control, you can access the Nisqually without having to go through a gate if you enter the Reservation from the East Gate road. Go south on Hwy 507 from the Roy Y and turn right onto East Gate Road. Head West for about 6 miles and turn left at the C-5 Mock-up (Can't miss it). Follow that hardball until you hit the Nasty and the Tank Bridge. Get a Training Area Map from Range Control and you should not have any problems. And yes, the chums are in....but the river is...well...Nasty right now

Thanks heavy,
Sounds like it was pretty routine what I went through. The Sergeant at the main gate was curious about the fishing out there,since he has never fished for salmon before, so we got his number and are going to try to show him the ropes. I love to see the looks on peoples faces the first time they hook up a salmon, especially when the only thing they've caught are bass and trout. I think a nice healthy Nisqually Chum oughta get his attention.

We usually access the tank crossing from the road just before the Nisqually casino.