Hi everyone,
This summer, I and my fishing partner put together a couple of catarafts and spent quite a lot of time on them. We fished the Cowlitz, Snoqualmie, and the Skykomish. On the Sky, we went from the High Bridge to Sultan when the river was quite high. We found it a very enjoyable way to fish, and to get from hole to hole on the rivers. It has opened up a whole new world for us. These are not the little kick boats, but 10' X 18" and 11' x 21" tubed crafts. So we can take some fairly rough water if it's neccessary, but not preferable.

I don't see catarafts mentioned very much on this forum. Is that because there are not many users of the crafts? Or just not on this forum? I would be interested in sharing information, and stories with other catarafters.

We are planning to use these on the Sol Duc, and would like to know where to find access points and take out points.

Can someone on this forum help us out with this information. Not asking for any secret spot. Just access, and egress.

We don't cross lines with other fishermen, nor horn in on someone fishing a hole. I learned fishing etiquette at an early age, and practice it regardless of what others are doing. So by helping us with info, we wouldn't endanger what you allready have on the river.

Also, is there anyone that shuttles vehicles for the floaters in the area?

Been reading so many stories of big fish in the Sol Duc, and want to try my hand in fishing this notable river.

Bye the way, I don't even concider killing native steelhead. Much more pleasurable in letting em go.

Any info is appreciated.
Catarafter

Catarafter,
Glad to hear there are others out there. I have a big cataraft as well 12'x21" tubes. I dont get to use it much because I haven't found anyone to hook up with and float and I dont particularly like floating alone. I cant answer your questions on the Sol Duc but if you are ever looking for another person to float with let me know.

You may try posting on Steelheader.net. there are quite a few Catarafters over there.

I have floated some of it in an 8' pontoon boat, i really doubt you would have any problems with your boat. I havent ran the Hatchery run yet, but i plan on it this summer. I think Bob would be able to give you some really good information on the entire river. He seems to know it pretty well .

Ted's Turnaround 360 374 5195 . This is a very good service AKA Roadrunner. Rates vary by distance, but Sol Duc Hatchery to Maxfield is $13.00 . Well worth the $ .

The Sol Duc is the most challenging river I have ever fished. It's kind of like a Pink Floyd song. Really mellow for a long time and then ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE!

I have run the River a number of times between Mary Clark Hatchery and Maxfield bridge. We got in a lot of trouble the first time, not knowing which way to go at the "Wall" (go right!) as how to recognize that spot? It's down there a ways. There is another spot that if you go right you will get stuck. I was advised to hire a guide the first time. That would have been a good idea. It is right to the limit of my ability to drift that section.

From Maxfield to Whitcomb Dimmel, there is only one really tricky spot, the Shuwah Rapid!

I have not been from Whitcomb Dimmel to Norm (?) Park. I hear there is an area in there called "double rapid".

From the Norm (?) Park, near the Rayonier bridge, down to the confluence with the Bogachiel, there are a number of boulder fields and a couple of areas with large standing waves. IMO this strecth is as difficult as the Hatchery Run.

The Water level is so critical to the safety of any of these runs. I refuse to even try the Hatchery or Lower section at less than 7 boards. But I have a big old 18' Eastside not an agile little Cat.

Be Smart and Hire a Guide to learn this system!

Last year RichG posted some difficulty ratings for a number of Runs. Are you out there Rich?

Good Luck and be Safe!

Looks like Gutz has ya covered

Hi GutZ,
Thanks for the information. I do have a question about not running under 7 boards. I assume that would refer to the river flow, but hadn't heard the term before, and don't know how to relate it to conditions. The Sol Duc isn't listed on any of the river flow sites that I know of, so if you or anyone else can point me to a url, that will give me this info, I would certainly appreciate it.

I also belive you are correct about hiring a guide, or someone that is familiar with the river, to make a first run to be safe.

Are there guides that do take one downriver just to run the river, and not fish? I would rather find my own fishing spots, instead of being shown them, so my interest would be in the safety aspect, rather than being quided for fishing.

Is there possibly someone that I might sit down over a cup of coffee, and discuss the spots one might have to look out for? You seem to have a bit of knowledge about the river, and I'd like to talk to ya some more about it.

Pickled Herring,
I would be more than happy to hook up with ya sometime. I discussed it with my fishing partner, and he agreed. There is safety in numbers. We're a couple of old fa^ts, so we are just out to have a good time. We aren't into the numbers game any longer, so we're no competition.

What's with the pickled herring handle? I've eating lot's of it, but I've got something I like even better. I just got done pickeling a 17# buck, I got off the Cowlitz. Man, that is good stuff.

Bob,
Great site, and great people that hang out here. Good to read the many posting here.

I may have more questions later.
Thanks,
Catarafter

Cat,
I'm a huge fan of Pickled anything... especially Herring... I've heard of Pickled Salmon and steelhead but have never tried it or seen a recipe for it.

Man does that sound good!

I agree with you... its not about the numbers, Its just about being on the water that counts.

I consider myself a bit of a beginner on the sticks. I wouldn't think twice about doing the cowlitzs, satsop or hump. The Sol Duc, now, thats a different story?.? I think

Shoot me an email on the address on my profile.

The number of Boards is counted at Maxfield Bridge. It is the number of concrete slats on the launch that are covered by the River. Bob reports it (occaisionally;)) on the river report section. Look at the Rainforest Camera, too. You can get some idea of where the level is at, and some idea about clarity/turbidity.

I wish I could post the pictures in my head of what each Rapid looked like. I would be a fool to try and describe which way to go at any point in the River. Of course at different levels, things look entirely different. I wouldn't beleive that I have taken exactly the same path twice.

There is a stretch above the "Wall" that looks just like it, for instance. I get faked out every time.

My e-mail is ifishthere4iam@hotmail.com

Hey catarafter I've been fishin and building custom catrafts for a while now.
The thing that seperates drift boat water from cat water is we can take a lot less water.Plus the larger Cats bounce off stuff

Pickeled Herring drop me aline.........Os