The Hamilton boat ramp is marginally usable, so that was a plus. Starting out Friday and Saturday mornings at 28*F wasn't. I've read that aluminum boats are cold. Oh yeah! But the river temp was a healthy 40 to 42*, so it was fishable, even if the air temp wasn't so comforting. Like my previous report from the upper river, the flood giveth and the flood taketh away. One spot that was little more than a pocket when I first began fishing it is now a quality run nearly 200 yards long. It definitely would hold steelhead, . . . if, of course, there were steelhead. Fortunately there were a couple frisky bull trout. The river channel carved out another couple spots that used to just be the middle of the river. A bull trout was caught there, too; how nice! And the secret spot is still there, although harder to see it until you're right on top of it - have to look for that little river in the big river. We didn't hook anything there however. But for the cold, it was a couple of quality days on my home water. Thank god for those little electric hand warmers; without 'em I couldn't move my fingers. No unicorns were harassed in the making of this fishing experience. Sadly, unless I get back up there this week, I won't be able to fish that stretch of river until next season. Dang! It used to be open until March 15, and before that it was open until April 30. Fishing opportunity has become one of the scarcer resources in WA any more.
