Never fished the Hanford Reach for smallie's and want to give it a try. What are my launching options? I would be coming down the East side of the river. Could cross over at Vernita but White Bluffs is where I'd like to try. I just have a 1448 Legend Craft jac boat w/ a 25 hp Johnson so I am hope not to have to run to far to find some smallie water. Any thoughts or info appreciated.

East side is where you want to be to launch. Options are Vernita, White Bluffs ferry landing, the wooden power lines across from the old Handord town site, and at Ringold. All are unimproved except for the ferry landing (not really "improved" but its a great concrete ramp). I suppose that the entire Reach is considered good smallie water but I do most of my fishing between White Bluffs and the Hanford 300 area.

If you haven't fished it before be very careful because the Reach is nothing to screw with. There islands, shallows, shoals, etc. I just checked NOAA and USGS data and flows tomorrow could vary from just over 100,000 up to 200,000 cfs or so. Among many other hazards do not even try Coyote Rapids with a prop and be very careful of the shallow stretch between White Bluffs and old Hanford.

Its a beautiful stretch of river with lots of big smallies. You will enjoy it just get a map that shows the main channel, read the river, and take your time. Oh yea...bring a spare prop

Thanks, I'm glad I ask!
Sounds like I should hire a guide for the first time through there. Do you have any suggestions on a guide?

No clue who would be a good guide so hopefully someone else can chime in. The Reach is 50 miles long so it would take a lot of guided trips, and $, to learn it all Just get a river map that shows the main channel in relationship to the islands/shore and explore.

Good luck!

Call Bob Adkinson at 509-783-6483 or 509-521-2743 he specializes in catching small and large mouth bass check out his site too at
www.adkinsonbass.com