bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Simply, it was a total bust. When we made reservations, we were told there was an off season toilet by the sight. It was at the opposite end of the camp ground. It was an up and down walk too far each way for my fishing buddy who is in his 80's. The entry sign said "FULL". In actuality there were 3 other campers. The Camp website said there was phone service. There was not, even with trying spots all over the camp ground and launch. We parked in the launch parking lot, a level walk to the bathroom, then left for Banks Lake in the morning. I have included photo of our rig in an empty site while we were deciding what to do. All of the above being said, the campground is beautiful, the boat ramp is outstanding and the summer toilets (closed Oct 1) are well located. I have been told that the fishing is outstanding for trout and walleye.
This is a beautiful spot, but not for senior citizens, handicapped or people in need of access to the real world.
I have heard it is loud and very busy in the summer. Reservations are required.

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Nice 😊

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Sorry to hear about the problems you had there Bapa. It does look like a beautiful place, too bad the business isn't as nice as the location.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

No surprise. It is gov. run or subcontracted.with not enough inspectors or rangers to follow up. The trip to Banks turned out great, so no big loss. We got much of our money back.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

You would think that the information that they give out would be accurate, such as bathroom location, and phone service, even if they're understaffed. At least you got some money back.

67Mustang Loc: Washington State

Sorry to hear about the accommodations. Having lived in Spokane I have fished all along that stretch of river. The walleye fishing can be fantastic at times. And rainbows a plenty closer to Fort Spokane area.

Rayjay425 Loc: Mill Creek, Washington

In the early 90's we and another couple were "camping" in our boats along the dock at Fort Spokane park which is just above the bridge at the mouth of the Spokane river. We fished between the camp ground and Roosevelt Lake. We caught 14-18" trout under the bridge. I wasn't catching anything but my buddy was (which is opposite of usually happens). He was using a down rigger. Once I started fishing deep then I caught fish.

We walked over to the boat launch and there were two fishing poles with reels in the river. We created a small gatling hook and got both of them. Looked like they had been in the water for only a day or two. No other boats were around so we kept them.

On another note, earlier that year we went from Seven Bays on Roosevelt Lake (just south of the Spokane river) up into Arrow Lake in Canada. We had a 21' Bayliner. My friends had 22' and 24' Bayliners. This trip was one of the better boating trips we have ever done even though we have done a lot of cruising in larger boats in the San Juan Islands in Washington and the Gulf Islands and Desperation Sound in Canada. We went from the Roosevelt lake into the Columbia River, then though the locks that go into the lower Arrow Lake. At one point we went through some wicked white water. My friend in the 24' bayliner was doing about 2000 RPM and was going backwards! Spent 10 days.

My friend were fishing for lake trout and I was fishing for salmon. I caught 6-8 fish every day and they didn't catch any. The salmon were actually Kokanee about 10".

67Mustang Loc: Washington State

Wow. Great experiences. I've fished Roosevelt at least 50 times but have never been above Kettle Falls. I've caught 8 lb rainbows, 3 lb kokes and even Chinook salmon. Those make their way down the Spokane River from Lake Coeur DAlene in Idaho. And many Walleye. Try the Burbot there some time. Ugly fish but taste as good as walleye, some say better.

67Mustang Loc: Washington State

Before Grand Coullee the salmon run on the Columbia would have 90 lb salmon that the Indians would spear fish at Kettle Falls. The river was way narrower and swift back then. Those damn dams changed everything.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I love your salmon comments

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

The world never stops morphing. I am not sure if that means better or worse. Ask a kid if he or she would like to go back to the days of wall phones and long division with paper and pencil. They would look at you like you are insane. Different; being better or worse is based on who is doing the evaluation. It is all about evaluate and adjust. Nothing will ever go back. Without dams, there would be no reservoirs. That means pretty much no lake fishing in Eastern Washington and a drive through near desert to the limited bank rivers. It is all about perspective. Just food for thought.
As a side note: there would still be no 90 pound salmon as there would still be millions fishing for them rather than thousands or hundreds like back in the day. There is a consequence for every action as well as every non action.
Good and bad is an adjustable perspective. Change on the other hand is inevitable.

67Mustang Loc: Washington State

Agree. But they could have at least put fish ladders or a by pass at Grand Coulee. Lake Roosevelt Is an awesome fishery and many thanks govto the Native Americans. Not to get into the damn dam debate but as a compromise the Snake River dams I think should be gone and keep the ones on the Big C. We get most the hydro power from the Columbia dams.

Ted A Loc: Eastern Washington

We can agree to disagree.

I like the Snake River dams and reservoirs. Idaho now has a seaport at Lewiston. There are also cruise ships from Clarkston Wa. to Astoria Or.

Lots of money and work has been done to juvenile fish facilities at Lower Granite Dam and Little Goose Dam to capture salmon and steelhead smolt and transport them to below Boneville Dam to release back into the Columbia thereby reducing predation on them. Introduced fish such as Walleye, Smallmouth, Northerns, etc. make the Columbia system different from the past never to go back.

A fish ladder around Grand Coulee would be an engineering marvel. The reservoir goes up and down so much that I'm not sure how the upper end would work. Besides it would be so long that the water temperature in that part of the country would be difficult to manage. That said, I would like to see a ladder at Chief Joseph as well if they could be worked out.

67Mustang Loc: Washington State

I guess there is a major decision due on the future of the dams on December 15th. Of course, it is the govt and could be delayed again. I don't think the salmon and Steelhead runs on the Snake will be sustainable with the constant increase in water temps due to climate change. More cooler flow us needed. They had horrible algae blooms this year.