Hybridcx,

The Wynoochee is about as safe a river to drift as there is. However, no moving water is safe for the ignorant or the careless. How safe is the 'Nooch? Well I've floated it from the diversion dam to the mouth variously in my 16' canoe (Weatherwax canyon - Don't do it in anything unless you're an accomplished whitewater kayaker) and usually in my little 7' one-man raft with 2-piece take apart oars that look like they belong on a toy. I do portage the diversion dam because the boat chute usually has a standing wave, and I don't like to get wet in the winter. I use the small raft because it's lightweight, convenient, and I can launch and retrieve literally anywhere. With the higher sides of a drift boat, it's no problem unless you're one of the ignorant or the careless. Or maybe I'm just experienced and lucky.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

sounds like its deffinatly doable. might have to go give her a try here in a few weeks.
thanks for the info

I was on the upper Nooch on Wednesday as well. I remember my brother was standing up pissing off the side and said, hey there's a red cup floating by. Then another DB asked if we saw a tackle box floating by and said he grabbed a glove and a couple other things if anyone asked. Bummer on the dumping of the boat and the loss of gear. I personally find it really hard to believe that this many boats go down on such an easy river. Lots of new guys with little to no experience I guess. Words of wisdom for you new DB owners, don't even think about hitting the peninsula streams if you aren't that experienced. No fish is worth dieing over. Hire a guide for christ sake and practice, practice, practice. It looks easy to run a river but mother nature will nail your ass if you give her the chance.

It's an easy river to run and learn,but you need to pay attention.After the hundreds of trips down it over the years,this past winter about a month ago I got to confident and rushed my way over the spillway not wanting to wait for the boat in front of me walking it through,well I wasn't far enough to the left and went over it hit a serious back/reverse hydrolic and about bit it as the current took me side way's back towards the dam.Had to get on the oars for the first time in awhile and the guy's walking it said oh $hit.It worked out in the end,but I'll walk it through every time for now on.That river has proven that you need to be on it "cracker or not".Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

"Truth be told, it is an easy river IF you know what your doing"

EXACTLY....and it's not the "easy river" comments that get everyone to go there. If the Sol Duc cranked out as many hatchery fish, everyone in Western Wash would go there too despite it NOT being an "easy river", unless you know what what your doing.

Walkndadog - that was me in the DB on the same float Wednesday asking if you had seen debris float by like we did. Managed to net out a neoprene glove, but wasn't able to get the tackle box before it finally sunk in the hole in front of where you guys were beached. If anyone wants a glove back, PM me.

There is nothing overly technical about the Nooch, but you do have to pay attention. I've been caught a time or two tying leaders, etc. only to find myself getting too close to a root wad, rock, or log and having to row like a madman to get out of the situation. It only takes a few seconds for disaster to sneak up on you.

Yes that was us. Nice fish.

the big problem with the nooch and rivers like the satsop is low water. Low water on small rivers doesnt give you any choices. The tailouts on the nooch are very shallow even when the water is up. There are trees everywhere and low water gives you nowhere to go. I dont recommmend running the nooch at a 1000 and my personal preference is 1500 or higher. Guys below the diversion dam can get by on a thousand, but the fish also have few places to hide. DD will scrape the bottom of your boat at 1000 or higher.

If you arent an experience rower, stay off the nooch. You cannot fish and row. Plug sections are short, the deep side moves back and forth constantly. Beaching the boat is required in low water and common throughout. When its good and busy. Bankers are like a burr in your boot.
Its my DEVIL RIVER.

I floated the "Nooch" with Fly and Abu for the 1st time on Sat. It was very low and skinny. It doesn't surprise me that many consider it "biginner" water as I didn't see anything too toublesome. At that low water though there where a lot of obstructions to avoid so I'm also not surprised at how many times I hear of people getting into trouble on that river.

It may be "biginner" water at most flows but it was not on Sat!

Please everbody stay off the Nooch if the water is at 1000cfs or below my sled and I will appreciate that.