WSFR Rivers Reports (Nisqually) - http://www.nwfishing.com

	-Photo courtesy of Stephen Elia



	Current Conditions - Graph current stage and flow rates of the Nisqually River at McKenna Current Conditions - Graph Current state and flow rates of the Nisqually River at La Grande

	Dec. 31, 2000 Thanks to: David V. Mayor While fishing the last day the Nisqually River was opened, I witness 50-75 chum netted in less than 45 minutes? I assumed the river was closing early on Dec. 31st, because of low returns? I'd been on the Nisqually, 20 days in 2000 and normally saw 2-3 tribal netters while floating the river. But, on the closing day Dec. 31st I counted 9 different tribal netters, "free drifting [their gill] nets" 2-3 miles up from the hachery. I'd also like to state that after the Dec. 31st closing I witnessed nets still in the river below the I-5 bridge. Dec. 1, 2000 Thanks to: Wm. Baker Went to the gravel bar above the handicap area and was amazed to see how low the river was. It is very low, and very, very, muddy. I found one filleted carcass on the bar and few birds. Was joined by a couple fishermen who left after thirty minutes. The Indians are netting a few Chums below the I-5 bridge. The fish are just not in yet, still a few weeks early. Nov. 10, 2000 Thanks to: fishface I went down to the Nisqually just below the Mounts Road hole. The water was brown with no visibility, got out of truck sat down, ate a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich, washed it down with a diet coke. Looked at pole in back of truck, got back in truck, went home and rented bass pro for playstation, had a great time. Sept. 1, 2000 Thanks to: tj rawley My Family and I went down to Nisqaully river under the bridge. There were a lot of fishermen up and down the river. We had quite of few bites on worms, most were suckers, and a few small trout. My wife had a really good bite but lost it in the rapids. At about dark you could see the salmon rolling on top of the water but nobody I saw was getting them. July 19, 2000 Thanks to: Joel Stidham I went out on the river near the tank bridge for a couple of hours hoping to hook into a steelhead but what I ended up with was eight sea-run cutthroat that I released. Get this I was using a nine weight rod and for the most part a #3 Polar Shrimp. My smallest fish was 6" long and I just don't know how these fish could bite onto that huge fly. Dec. 12, 1999 Thanks to: Duke Dresen I went to the Nisqually today and I heard that they were catching the chums down there. I went up the river a ways and I tried spoons, corkies & yarn, etc., nothing. I think I went too far up the river but I had fun with the ducks and by the way what are you using to catch the chums in the river? In Mud Bay, that creek that dumps into it, is that legal to fish? Dec. 7, 1999 Thanks to: John Moss Went to the Nisqually River at about 0630 on Mounts Road. Fished by the bridge. There were already several fisherman in the river snagging chrome bright chums that were crusing near the shoreline. I saw two on shore half an hour before the sun made its appearance. The river is a little murky but good for the Nisqually this time of year. The chums were chrome bright and plentiful. The problem were the fisherman. They would cast in front of the incoming fish that were about 10-15 feet off shore then they would jerk like crazy. Several times their lead and hook would come FLYING out the river almost snagging/hooking the fisherman next to them. I got into an argument with the BOZO next to me after he sent his lead past my head. I didn't catch anything that AM, I left for my own safety and also because of the lack of sportmanship of these SNAGGERS! Oct. 4, 1999 Thanks to: Sam Wilson The King run is just about over. Fishing is very slow with only the Nisqually Indian Nets catching their limits (and MORE!!!!). Will try again tomorrow morn with hopefully better news. The silvers should be in soon. Sept. 26, 1999 Thanks to: Richard Campbell Went to the Nisqually this morning about 5 a.m. saw lots of kings rolling but they wouldn't bite at anything including eggs and also yarn with corkies. Did lots of drift fishing and some plunking with no results. A huge sea lion was in the river and was chasing the fish which probably had something to do with the fish not biting. Hope to have better luck with the silvers. Sept. 6, 1999 Thanks to: Young Gun I have a friend who went down to the Nisqually in the morning and they got skunked saw a lot of fish but the indiands were netting. We all know that means no fish are getting through. Well if you can hit it in between nettings you'll probably do fine. Sept. 4, 1999 Thanks to: Randy McCrory Well, got out about 6:20 with my buddy's drift boat and decided to just sit at one hole and try a little of eveything eggs, C&R, Kwikers, Hot shots and even herring. Nothing and more nothing until I decided to use the lure (Storm) that my buddy sayed was not bright enough for the muddy Nisqually. At 10:10 and after 3 casts a 15 pound King hen had to smack it, and hard (no need set the hook ), she went for a 15 min. run and it got a little hairy with all the sangs on that river but I had a great oarsmen and we landed her. Saw a lot of people out, 2 other fish caught and 4 other fish lost. A lot of rolling going on right now on the lower Nisqually. I think I'll hit again in the morning. Sept. 3, 1999 Thanks to: Tim Heenan Got to the river about 11am, lots of people there getting a early start on the holiday weekend. Started plunking just down from the boat launch, fish were jumping everywhere. Dude next to me landed a nice 10-lb. bright buck using a green corky and some pink yarn. Then it was my turn, had two good hits but they let go, then when I wasn't paying attention whamo, lost that one at my feet. I was using a pink & yellow spin-n-glow.. the fish seem to be hitting on just about anything bright. The stores around here confirmed that when I went shopping tonight, sold out of everything. Bring lots of tackle cuz the river will rob you at least 3 times, so be prepared. Note pack out your trash, the place is a mess already. Aug. 30, 1999 Thanks to: Mark De Graw I got on the Nisqually right after work (5:15pm) and found the usual crowds there. I got rigged up and after about ten casts I had a good hookup but I lost it after a brief fight.Ten more cast or so I hooked and lost another one. Next few casts and I had to re-tie a new rigup, and a few casts later I hooked another one. This one was on real good and I landed a nice 10 pound (bright) buck. I left the crowds and headed home by 7:30. The fish are there and so are the people, if you fish it right you can score. The only discouraging thing about the trip is all the garbage that is left by the inconsiderate. If you can, take a small plastic bag and pick some of it up. Some day we may wake up and find that our access is DENIED! Aug. 29, 1999 Thanks to: jerry burbridge I started fishing from the bank of the Nisqually at dawn. Throughout the entire day I observed a total of two chinook jacks and one adult chinook being landed by bank fisherman. I was fishing just above the handicapped access and just upriver from the railroad trestle. The fish seem to be concentrated just above a small logjam at the edge of the the river. This prevented following a fish downstream if you were lucky enough to get a hook-up. Four fish made good their escape through that route. One which was my only hookup of the day for me. The nets were put in at noon and the reports from boaters and personal observation tell a story that the chinook are in. Evening came and fish were rolling everywhere dispite the fish being netted. If you have a sure way of catching them, now is the time. They are there but those taste buds are not active. Expect a crowd unless you are fishing in the heat of the day. Aug. 27, 1999 Thanks to: Matt Eveleth Headed out to Nisqually looking for some kings, arrived at about 6:30 am with a crowd already there. Fished for about 5 hours until I hooked into a 25-lb. hen at the bridge. After about a ten minute fight, I finally landed it. Ten minutes later I hooked into another fished but lost it after about 5 seconds. Decided to hit it again on Sat. and Sun., arrived both days around 5 am. Sat. was kinda slow, had 3 hookups but didn't land any. Sun. morning was different, hit an 8-lb. buck about 5:45 am then decided to drive down to the corner of the river. Saw a lot of fish moving up but could not get them to hit anything. Decided to go back upstream near the bridge to my original starting point. After about an hour without nothing, I landed another buck weighing 15 lbs. A lot of people fishing the river, but it looks like the fish are finally moving in. Aug. 16, 1999 Thanks to: Robert Schley The river has been muddy for the last two weeks. For the most part the only ones catching fish are the Indians with thier nets. Fish are being caught, Kings for the most part. Some Humpies. Expecting the fish to run when the rain hits. Aug. 14, 1999 Thanks to: Glenn Smith I got down to the Nisqually around low tide, asked the usual questions (see anything, catch anything?) and decided to try an orange corky, yarn and a 1/8 oz slider for a while below the Steilacoom RD. Bridge Hole. Weather was pretty good. The river is choclate-ty and visibility is nil.I fished about an hour without seeing or hooking anything. One guy claimed to have a hit on a corky and smelly jelly. I saw no one take fish. July 29, 1999 Thanks to: Tom Heinrich On my way home from work on Ft Lewis, stopped at the tank crossing bridge (approx 1 mile upstream fm Muck Creek) to watch several fella's bottom bouncing and tossing spinners. When questioned one said he had taken 2 Atlantic salmon just 2 days before on red corkie and red yarn. Another said he caught one on a spinner last weekend. I guess that it's time to break out the equipment a few weeks early. Will be hitting the Nisqually about mid Aug below I-5 on the high tides. Did excellent at that spot last year when they come up on the tides. Will post next week after this weekend of bouncing. Jan. 2, 1999 Thanks to: Chris Thayer Great fishing below the new Nisqually bridge. It's like a mini blue creek, with 50 people lined up shoulder to shoulder. This year is a record run of chums, not good eatin' but man can they fight. Caught two 13 pounders and one 17 pounder. Best fishin' before 30 min before sunrise and one hour after low tide. Dec. 27, 1998 Thanks to: Jesse "Backlash" Rainwater Arrived at the tank crossing around 6:00 am, found the bridge closed, thanks Uncle Sam. Walked across the bridge and down toward Muck Cr. (puff puff !). Stopped to fish the tailout slot of the island just above the creek. Spent the next 4 hours hooking some of the brightest chum salmon I have ever seen in any river. Any color corkie mixed with chartreuse yarn fished on a neutral drift was a sure bet. By far the most exciting and hectic fishing trip in a long while, thanks Uncle Sam! Aug. 11, 1998 Thanks to: cody j warren While drifting very unsuccesfully a size 6 green glo spin & glo under the I-5 bridger, just as the sun came up. Hooked into a very nice 17-lb. male chinook. The lower Nisqually is running hot from the mouth on Nisqually Reach to just below the hatchery. Easy access at several locations including the Pacific Hwy. bridge (under construction) and the handicapped fishing access in Nisqually itsef and 400 yards upriver from there. Good beach access with riffles, pools, tailouts and eddies. All are prime fish holding spots. Start before dawn, be consistent and watch out for those #@*%%#!! Indian fishing nets! Aug. 8, 1998 Thanks to: Cody J. Warren Got to the river at dawn directly beneeth the I-5 bridge. Fishing with a size 6 panther martin spinner flo-green with gold blade. I landed and released 17 sea-run cutthroat trout by 10:30. By noon the tide was on the rise so I changed my set up to eggs & yarn. At 1:30 I hooked into my very first Washington chinook that I've heard so much about. Using 10-lb. test, the giant ran with my line and I played with him for more than an hour before he was subdued by my net. I weighed him at an amazing 24.63 lbs on my portable scale. A tear came to my eye as I worked him back and foth in the cold Nisqually river and I thougt to myself "ONE OF THESE DAYS I SHOULD BUY A FOOD FISH LICENSE."