Where to launch

Sun., Aug. 20, 2006

The Spokesman-Review

Prop boats, carefully handled, can handle most fishing areas in the Hanford Reach, although jet boats are better suited for negotiating several of the unimproved boat launches at certain flows. The reach has four boat access areas:

•Vernita off Highway 24 is the most convenient and the most crowded. The several unimproved gravel launch spots require four-wheel drive and a dependable buddy in hip waders to handle the boat with no docks and precious little eddy at certain flows. The water level from Priest Rapids Dam can quickly change by five feet.

•White Bluffs has the best launch, remnants of an old concrete ferry landing, but the road is rough and no camping is allowed. From Highway 24 about 19 miles east of Vernita, turn right near milepost 63 at the entrance to the Wahluke Unit. Go about 4 miles on gravel and very rough pavement and turn right at the only significant crossroad. Drive 1.5 miles to the access.

•Ringold has a good gravel launch, although four-wheel drive is recommended. From Basin City, go south on County Road 170 nearly 8 miles and turn right on Ringold River Road. Drive .8 mile to T and turn right then left on right side of canal. Go .2 miles to the access. Another gravel launch imaginatively named Parking Area 7 is upstream via a rough road.

•Richland has good boat accesses at areas such as Leslie Groves and Columbia Point parks, but they require a long boat ride to get to the reach.

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Where to launch

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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