I just had to get out of the city, even just for a bit. Wrapping up the workday, I grabbed a quick dinner, then threw gear and camera in the Nissan and headed out.
Leaving the urban sprawl on US-2, a road with questionable safety history (be very alert and careful, if you take it), one of the first truly small towns you come to is Sultan, WA. Lovely rural community at the base of the Cascades. We lived there, in what was described as a renovated fishing lodge, for two years, some time ago.
The house was just to the left, after that rocky riverbank, on the Skykomish River.
Amazing place…in the 2.5 months of the year where the weather was good. Elk would come out in herds to drink and Bald Eagles would skim the river almost daily, coming away with trout that I would vaguely envy (I hadn’t started Fly Fishing, back then).
Heading up, after that, the scenery around the highway gets progressively more beautiful. Eventually, you will pass a sign for Money Creek campground (on the right, just before a tunnel. I plan to scout that on a future evening) followed by Beckler, on the left.
Taking that left, you pass onto a forest service road that parallels the Beckler River and heads out into the deeper wilderness.
Yes, there is a formal campground, just a little bit down the road. Beautiful sites, some directly on the river. May have to stay there, some day.
If you continue on that road, though, you will start to see some dispersed camping sites, as well. While they are typically not suitable to maneuvering in a travel trailer, they are perfect for tent camping…
… and absolutely ideal for pulling in to gear up and fish.
On this evening, the waters were cold and fast, but that’s consistent with what I’ve found everywhere, so far this season.
This particular spot has a wide and relatively level rocky riverbed. Deep channel off toward to far side, but the near area would offer great spots for others to relax, while one fly fished.
I spent a little while casting and hopping from rock to rock (I had not brought waders, so keeping my feet out of the water was a requirement) and thoroughly enjoyed the much-needed time in nature.
While I didnt see any fish on this day, I noted that the state regulations, which typically allow keeping a trout above 8″, require a Rainbow or Cutthroat from these waters to be 14″+! That’s an excellent sign, and will probably have me coming back, in the future, when the water is warm enough that the fish aren’t in deep hides and only eating what bounces off their noses (read as: when my dry flies have a chance).
As dusk came on, and the light started to fade, I stowed the gear and started heading back, well recharged and relaxed. The road crosses a few tributary creeks, as you drive. Worth the time to stop and check those out, even if just for the sound and view.
I know I say it a lot, but one truly cannot overstate the value of time in nature.
Make those drives, when you can, and get out into the more undeveloped parts of the world. Fish or not, as you wish, but soak up the fresh air, sights, feel, and sounds. Pause for a while.
It’s good for your soul.
Tight lines…