Canyon Creek access in Chelatchie WA?

[seanmckerney]

Hey all. My dad used to live in the area and used to fly fish canyon creek between Merwin and Yale often. I really want to take him out there and catch some trout. I have driven up that area and can’t seem to find anywhere to access the creek, it seems that Weyerhaeuser owns most of the surrounding area. I was hoping someone could tell me if it is still publicly accessible, and if so how to get there? Thanks in advance

 

[iveofione]

I fished it quite a bit over 30 years ago and it was a wonderful little stream. As I recall the area I fished was down a long steep bank to the water and some bushwhacking was required. The walk out was a bear but the clear cold water and brightly colored fish were worth it. This time of year yellow Sally's were in abundance and fish were looking for them. No help on how to find it though.

 

[joefromchicago]

The Good Captain and I fished there extensively back in the the day and remember it well as a decent little creek to fish and have many memories of it. I have made excursions down the trail Ive mentions above in the last decade or so but sadly report that the fishing in that area has fallen to nearly zero. A lot of it is due to the WDFW's ceasing stocking of the upper creek for opening days, which resulted in good sized fish dispersing throughout the system. As a freestone creek it doesn't support enough biomass to grow fish on it's own, although am just talking about the lower section between the store and the first bridge.

 

[iveofione]

Joe, that is sad to hear about such a charming little creek. It begs the question-has WDFW done anything right in the past 2 decades?

 

[joefromchicago]

Joe, that is sad to hear about such a charming little creek. It begs the question-has WDFW done anything right in the past 2 decades?

I believe it was their intention to restore native runs but feel it's more a case of closing the door after the livestock has left the premises. Had heard stories from people who told me they had caught west slope cutthroat in the water above the stocking area but never saw any myself.

 

[joefromchicago]

An interesting thing to note concerning how humanity influences wildlife was a modification to the gene pool. Last time I was there, every fish hooked did this wiggle that looked like the fish was being electrocuted that instantly tossed the hook. Only fish with this trait were survivors.

 

[Capt Insano Emeritis]

Hey all. My dad used to live in the area and used to fly fish canyon creek between Merwin and Yale often. I really want to take him out there and catch some trout. I have driven up that area and can’t seem to find anywhere to access the creek, it seems that Weyerhaeuser owns most of the surrounding area. I was hoping someone could tell me if it is still publicly accessible, and if so how to get there? Thanks in advance

Hey all. My dad used to live in the area and used to fly fish canyon creek between Merwin and Yale often. I really want to take him out there and catch some trout. I have driven up that area and can’t seem to find anywhere to access the creek, it seems that Weyerhaeuser owns most of the surrounding area. I was hoping someone could tell me if it is still publicly accessible, and if so how to get there? Thanks in advance

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There is a huge timber sale going on right up there. The Chelatchie prairie store is near access to the creek road and they might know about road closures or what is going on