Toward the upper reaches of the Wynooche River, the water runs cold and crystal clear. Casual floaters take in the sights of the valley, and anglers have long fished it for the winter and summer steelhead numbering in the thousands from the local hatchery.

There is now a new option for putting in non-motorized boats. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has been working with Green Diamond Resource Company for some time to reopen public access just downriver of the 7400 Bridge, about 20 miles north of Montesano, and last Friday it became official as Fish and Wildlife leaders, Green Diamond representatives and Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, cut the ribbon on the gravel launch area.

Fish and Wildlife Region 6 director Larry Phillips explained that the launch had been open to the public in years past, but consistent problems with garbage, illegal fires and campers blocking the access prompted Green Diamond to lease the launch to a group of about 10 private citizens. Now, Green Diamond has entered a lease with the state and the launch is open for business.

The launch opening means fishermen targeting the 170,000 winter steelhead and about 60,000 summer steelhead can now be spread out, rather than limiting the pressure to a few small accessible spots, noted Phillips, who added Green Diamond agreed to lease the launch area to the state at the same rate it charged the private parties that previous leased it.

Ahead of his official Aug. 1 start date, new Fish and Wildlife director Kelly Susewind was among the dignitaries at the launch, along with representatives of the local guide association and two Fish and Wildlife commission members, Barbara Baker of Olympia and Don McIsaac of Hockinson in Clark County just northeast of Vancouver.

“This is what we need to do as an agency,” said Susewind, who has Grays Harbor roots and attended Grays Harbor College. “We can’t get people excited without access.”

Travel north from Montesano on the Wynooche Valley Road to get to the launch. Around mile marker 22, north of Cougar Smith Road, the 7400 line heads to the left, or west. A few miles in, there will be a turn to the left to the launch. If you come to the 7400 bridge you’ve passed it. The road Friday was partially gravelled but sections of it and the parking area itself were still just dirt.

DAN HAMMOCK | TWIN HARBORS NEWSPAPER GROUP (From left) Rep. Brian Blake (D-Aberdeen), Fish and Wildlife commissioner Barbara Baker and Fish and Wildlife Region 6 director Larry Phillips chat shortly after cutting the ribbon at the newly-opened non-motorized boat launch access point on the Wynoochee River Friday.