New Yak Angler Tumwater Area

Really glad that I found this forum! I am 30 and work at JBLM. I have been going it alone figuring this Yak Angling. I have an entry level 11' SOT rigged pretty well and have spent a lot of time on Ward lake and American lake dialing everything in. Drove out to the Skykomish river this weekend for some Pink fun, and boy was it! I am really interested in some calm drifting spots on the Nisqually, but just never been and don't want to get sucked down the river;-) I have drifted for salmon and steelhead for years, but new to the Kayak concept. Instant love on the Kayak though! I am glad this resource is available. Also, I am in the Olympia area if anyone experienced with the Nisqually wants to meet up

Welcome aboard jscheelar! There are a few of us in your area that get out on a regular basis. I spend a good bit of time intercepting fish bound for the Nis. I don't drift it much, but after recently pedaling upstream about 3/4 of a mile the other day, I'm brainstorming a different way of targeting those fish. If all goes well I'll give it a test run this Fri. You're more than welcome to join.

ravdakot, assuming you are on a hobie! Lucky you. Sounds like fun, I may just have some time for that on Friday. Do you put in at Luhr?

Welcome I also live in tumwater maybe we can meet up some time!

Yeah, at Luhr. I'll PM you with the details by Wed night.

Theshoeman, that's great! I actually have some time off over the next couple weeks so plan on spending lots of time on the water. Where is it that you usually fish? I am going to scout out the Nisqually river tomorrow, do some bank fishing and look at currents to see how driftable some spots may be. What days do you usually get out?

hey, don't count paddle power out in getting upriver at Nis. You don't need a hobie, and they can actually be a disadvantage in certain parts of the system .
Have gone past the I 5 bridge at least a dozen times. You can do it, even as a rookie. Use the tide to push you upriver, fish the slack, watch out for furbags at the mouth.

WR, Very inspirational post. I was concerned because I got caught on the Skykomish river and had to drag my yak upriver because I couldn't paddle enough to go upstream. I mainly want to put in on the river and get away from the crowds, even if its just a quick 100m paddle.

Also, I don't know what a "furbag" is?

Hopefully you and Rav hook up. Just remember theres a huge tidal mud flat right in front of Luhr. That's one of the hazards I talked about... and yes you can do this.. there are a few places that might challenge you (shallow and fast) but nothing you cant overcome... only other thing to worry about is the tribal nets and derelict gear too.... but it's worth it...

I remember talking to one of the guys at the old Sportsmans Warehouse in Lacey in about '09 and he was kind of in shock that he'd crossed the bridge and happened to have seen one or two yellow yaks in the river just below the bridge fishing.. now, it's become a more routine sight. Go enjoy yourself  ..oh, and. a furbag is a seal or sea lion that's taken up residence nearby and is an annoyance or hazard to us yak fishers

good luck guys, off to fort lostinthewoods until at least the first week of Oct. looks like another wasted fishing license for me this year too..