Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

All about camping, maybe some fishing thrown in for good measure...
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FishingFool
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Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by FishingFool » Sun Jun 14, 2015 5:01 pm

I have to use up vacation hours..... I'm thinking of going camping at either Potholes or Banks. I've been to both State Parks before.

As of right now, I see several openings for the timeframe I want at Potholes. It appears Banks is booked, so I'm pretty confident I can cross that off my list.

Looking at the reservation site, it looks like it's about ~60% full.

I typically camp during early June, so less crowds and heat. Just how hot does it get over there during July? How are the crowds? How's the boat launch? I'm betting MarDon will be packed, so will it be crazy on the water?

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by G-Man » Sun Jun 14, 2015 6:28 pm

If you can't take 90+ you will want to reconsider. It also gets a bit buggy and walking though any area with tall grass or brush will most likely result in some ticks hopping on for a ride. Insect repellent or covering up completely is a must. The boat traffic never seemed to be an issue but it can get a little crazy back in the dunes. Boat launch is great, there just isn't much of a dock so a two person system works best.

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by fishinChristian » Wed Jun 17, 2015 9:28 pm

I'd go farther North. Rufus, Rosy, Spokane R., Baker, Osoyoos etc. Cooler, less crowds, unless you like heat, and people.

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by FishingFool » Fri Jun 19, 2015 5:52 pm

fishinChristian wrote:I'd go farther North. Rufus, Rosy, Spokane R., Baker, Osoyoos etc. Cooler, less crowds, unless you like heat, and people.
I hate both.

Well, depends on how high the heat is. mid 70s to high 70s is perfect for me. I can survive the higher heat, just don't prefer it.

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by Amx » Fri Jun 19, 2015 6:08 pm

It MIGHT get down to the 80s overnight. 0^0
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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by fishinChristian » Sat Jun 20, 2015 4:29 pm

Sir Amx is pretty close, unless you hit a cold front. Course the fish won't bite well then....

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by strider43 » Mon Jun 22, 2015 6:02 am

Just got back from my annual week trip o the Sinlehekin Valley and it has already been too hot and the bite was dead. I would not go there that time of year if you want to catch fish......

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by DavidA » Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:33 am

Over the June 26-29 weekend, the temperatures are forecast to be 95-105 with wind mostly in the single digits. Thoughts on how that should affect the walleye fishing?

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by fishinChristian » Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:24 am

Thaw the fillets in your freezer?

They'll go deep and feed at night shallow, just about like burbot.

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by odddoylerules » Mon Jul 04, 2016 7:54 am

A mid July trip to potholes made some friends of mine swear off camping. Hornets, 105+ degrees, no fish... they spent the whole week at the bar by the boat launch and have gotten a cabin every trip since

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by zen leecher aka Bill W » Mon Jul 04, 2016 10:09 am

last year for the weekend of the 4th it was 110+. This year it's in the mid-80's and pleasant. Hornets seemed to be killed off last cold winter.

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by cobrar543 » Tue Jul 05, 2016 9:27 am

I love Potholes. the sites are some of the best I have seen. but shade not from the Trees would be a good addition. I got one of those $50 shade canopies from Dicks and its great. Boat has a cover so never bad even in 100 degree days..not that we have seen them yet his summer

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by zen leecher aka Bill W » Tue Jul 05, 2016 9:51 am

I was down at MarDon's yesterday visiting with vacationing extended family. It was windy on both Sunday and Monday. Yesterday we got to watch a couple of "flying" canopies that weren't staked down good enough. Saw a "palm tree" umbrella get turned inside out.

Temp was a balmy 79 degrees and pleasant.

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Re: Just How Dumb Is It To Camp During July @ Potholes?

Post by FishingFool » Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:19 pm

zen leecher aka Bill W wrote:I was down at MarDon's yesterday visiting with vacationing extended family. It was windy on both Sunday and Monday. Yesterday we got to watch a couple of "flying" canopies that weren't staked down good enough. Saw a "palm tree" umbrella get turned inside out.

Temp was a balmy 79 degrees and pleasant.
lol amazing. I do remember a similar situation with our tent from a few years ago at Banks. First time there. Didn't know it was so windy. Came back to camp with the tent on it's side barely holding on. Good thing the sleeping bags and such were inside. Seemed it gave just enough weight not to tumble away. Wish I had the pics still, lol. Good memories.

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