looking for good place to conduct next HOW event??

Looks like july 26-27 for the next H.O.W. event (not "late August").  This will be an over-nighter (Sunday-Monday).  I think we'll have between 15-20 participants. 
I am looking for a good place to reserve with tent camping, lakefront access, good fishing, and not too much boat traffic. 
I am open to all suggestions (within Washington).  We will be needing guides for this event so anyone interested let me know....

Thank you, Brian

 

Silver lake off of Hwy 12 around Mossy Rock. its about half way for the Oregon folks to jump in and help with this too.

Silver lake off of Hwy 12 around Mossy Rock. its about half way for the Oregon folks to jump in and help with this too.

I am out of town again on the 26th and 27th of July. But yeah. I think Silver Lake is a great central location for Seattle and Portland attendance.  There is some pretty decent largemouth and crappie fishing, I'm not sure about camping though.

Brian

theres a couple of resorts.camping locations around there and theres a state park with tent spots accross the street form the lake.. might have to take a truck across with all the Yaks. but still doable.
Rich (WR) would know more about this location since its where he was going to do the HOW event last year.

Millersylvania State park is just south of Tumwater and is on Deep Lake.. that could be another possible.

I was at that campground with Rich last year... It's not exactly across the street from the launch and there is very spotty cell phone service there (VHF's req'd).  I remember seeing a campsite right next to the prime crappie area last year, but I can't find it on google.  Camping near a decent fishing lake on the western side of Washington may prove to be pretty tough since the housing developers just can't seem to leave a lake well enough alone.   I think Battleground lake might work although it's fairly small.  I've never been to Millersylvania, but I've heard so-so reviews about it.

That weekend is my wedding anniversary so I won't be able to attend (unless I want it to be my last).  Out of curiosity, why are you doing Sun/Mon instead of Sat/Sun?  You might have a harder time getting volunteers when it requires people to burn vacation time.

Amos...... bring her along and call it a romantic aniversary by the lake... LOL

OK, I'll weigh in on this.

1st off: Good Job on succeeding where i could not pulling off the inaugural HOW event. As everyone found out, it takes tons of work.

MSP has a wide flat landing and put in all the way at the back of the lake, and lots of campsites. There are several nice pavillion kitchens right near there, with electricity, fireplace, tables, and running safe, water. The Head Ranger i spoke to last year when scouting locations told me there are lots and lots of bass in there.  He was also very intrigued by the idea of holding a HOW event there, as he's a Vietnam Vet and disabled slightly himself. Almost forgot; I may be wrong on this, but i believe that Deep Lake has either a total motor/jetski ban or heavy restrictions. As i recall, the lake was very quiet, even tho it's only 3 miles off the  eastern edge of I-5.

Silver Lake, In cowlitz county, is 8 miles or so off I-5 to the east, @ exit 49, past the Mt. St. Helens Observatory and Interpretive site. Right across the road from there is the state park. From the park, to the state, public, launch off Kerr road, it's about 3 miles. Kerr Road boat Launch is a bit steep in the parking area, so if you have any wheelchair bound or balance challenged take that into consideration. The park even has several YURTS, but those are ususally taken over by U.W. geological student study groups. But again there are tons of campsites and the standard pavillion kitchen / gathering areas are to the front of the park.

Something to also think about is that there are sevral small "resorts" lining Silver Lake and talking to the operators at 2 of them, they'd welcome an event with open arms. Remember, patriotism and appreciation of our men and women in uniform along the I-5 Corridor south of Oly is not dead.

Also, at the time of you you mention, parts of Silver Lake are choked with about 4 different types of aqautic vegetation. When i did my intial scouting last year,  it was roughly the same time of year as you mention, and in some places you could literally not see the water. [While i think of it, Yak Monkey, could you supply the contact info for the place Yarjammer and I met you? Talking to the operators while waiting for you and Yarjammer that late afternoon, not only did i find out that they never ever charge to launch a kayak, but would really like to help if possible.]

Please also check the original HOW threads for my earlier scouting reports. There is probably tons of info in there that isnt getting used. http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,1605.0.html

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/board,31.0.html

Another suggestion might be Alder Lake, at the southern end of Highway 7, just north of Elbe. There are actually 3 possible launch points there, the most likely one being Sunny Beach State park just past the main turn off into Alder Lake. BTW, that lake is a Tacoma Power owned and operated facility.

Sgt.( SSG?) Jackson, check my profile and contact me via one of those POC addresses and i'l ship you everything else i have. Was going to do that shortly anyways.

[WR]
 

Yar,

My sympathies on your upcoming divorce

Ok, bad joke i know. However, check online for the Blue Heron Inn. Thats the name of that chalet just down the road from the park going back towards I5.  Really nice place for a romantic getaway. a bit spendy for my tastes, but very chi chi.

I'll have to dig a bit, but the site you mention, that contact info should be in one of my scouting reports from last year. Bob somehting or other runs it. and yeh it's a nice modern place.

Amos.. i will smack WR for you when he gets home for that bad joke.........

But then could be why hes not married yet... LOL

 

back to topic at hand please.

Looks like july 26-27 for the next H.O.W. event (not "late August").  This will be an over-nighter (Sunday-Monday).  I think we'll have between 15-20 participants. 
I am looking for a good place to reserve with tent camping, lakefront access, good fishing, and not too much boat traffic. 
I am open to all suggestions (within Washington).  We will be needing guides for this event so anyone interested let me know....

Thank you, Brian

Brian,
Sorry, you'll have to count me out this time. I can't do Sunday Monday. I suppose you're doing Sun/Mon because of campsite availability, right?

- Karl